Ohio State RB Dallan Hayden Commits to Deion Sanders, Colorado from Transfer Portal

Former Ohio State running back Dallan Hayden has decided where he will spend the next chapter of his college career.

Per Hayes Fawcett of On3.com, Hayden said he committed to Colorado on Monday and he will have three years of eligibility remaining.

"I just feel like it was a good situation," Hayden told On3.com's Steve Wiltfong of his decision to join the Buffaloes. "They have great receivers, great quarterback, o-line is very good and I felt like I can help that running back room a lot."

Hayden was a 4-star prospect in the class of 2022, per 247Sports' composite. He chose Ohio State over offers from schools like Notre Dame, Auburn, Arkansas and Illinois, among others. He reportedly chose to transfer to Colorado over interest from UCLA, Louisville, Auburn, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and Texas A&M.

As a true freshman, Hayden saw immediate playing time for the Buckeyes and finished the 2022 campaign with 553 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 111 carries. However, he was redshirted as a sophomore and was limited to 19 carries for 110 yards and one touchdown.

Wiltfong noted that Hayden was seeking a situation "where he'd have the opportunity to be the guy," and he found that in Colorado after receiving assurances from the father-son duo of head coach Deion Sanders and quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

"They were telling me I can be a big part of the offense," Hayden said. "Come in and work and let the cards fall where they fall. I feel good about everything."

Wiltfong also pointed out that Hayden was the first prospect that Coach Prime reached out to in the transfer portal, so he should have a solid role as Colorado's lead back.

"It just felt like home," Hayden said. "Everything felt right, I was like why not?"