Why did Dallan Hayden transfer to Colorado? Exploring potential reasons behind Ohio State Buckeyes exit

Dallan Hayden thrived in the Ohio State Buckeyes running back room, amassing 553 yards and five touchdowns in his first season with the program. He played a part in the team's run to the College Football Playoffs. However, the Buckeyes elected to redshirt him for the 2023 college football season because of their depth.

Hence, Dallan Hayden was limited to a mere 19 carries for 110 rushing yards in three games, and ahead of the 2024 season, Dallan Hayden transferred to the Colorado Buffaloes. Let's examine the rationale behind the transfer.

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Competition at Ohio State, and other potential reasons Dallan Hayden transferred to the Colorado Buffaloes

1. Way too much competition at Ohio State

For the last couple of years, the Ohio State Buckeyes have been viewed as a running back factory. The 2023 batch was no different, and as such, Hayden was redshirted to accommodate other ball carriers in the rotation.

That left the Christian Brothers High School product with just three appearances during Year 2. In the meantime, Hayden will be joining a Buffalo side that doesn't have nearly the same talent at the RB position as Ohio State.

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2. Coach Prime's influence

As a player, Deion Sanders, better known as Prime Time, was one of the best in all of the American sports, not just football. Sanders has carried this influence to his time as the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes.

According to Hayden, he joined Colorado because of everything the program stands for, and also for Coach Prime's experience. When asked about the staff, Hayden said they have loads of NFL experience, and Coach Prime knows a lot of NFL owners and has a bunch of NFL connections.

3. The chance to be the top running back on a mainstream team and NIL visibility

The Colorado Buffaloes are one of the most talked-about collegiate programs in sports. They're home to Shedeur, Shilo Sanders, and Travis Hunter, all three of whom are worth over $1,000,000 in NIL value.

With the Buffaloes, Hayden is the most senior running back on the depth chart. The other primary running backs on the roster are ex-walk-on Charlie Offerdahl, Arkansas transfer Isaiah Augustave, and true freshmen Micah Welch and Brandon Hood.

Furthermore, stellar performances in the 2024 college football season can open up the NIL doors for Hayden, something that could have been way more challenging at Ohio State.