After Ohio State saw TreVeyon Henderson return and Quinshon Judkins enter from the transfer portal, it was only a matter of time before someone like Dallan Hayden departed. One of the top players in the portal should be an instant impact player, and the following landing spots look at locations that make sense for his future.
Landing Spots for Dallan Hayden
Hayden was a great depth piece for the Buckeyes, even playing a prominent role in 2022 when Henderson and Miyan Williams went down with injuries. So, teams saw what he could do, which makes him so intriguing.
Dallan Hayden is in the transfer portal. The now-former Ohio State RB should make a great addition to a new backfield for the 2024 season 👀pic.twitter.com/7kRtKW4cMW
— College Football Network (@CFN365) April 16, 2024
He already has 663 yards and six touchdowns in his career, and those numbers should skyrocket if he’s the top guy in his next backfield.
Colorado Buffaloes
It’s no secret that the Colorado Buffaloes need to improve running the football this year. They finished dead last in the country with 68.9 yards per game on the ground, and head coach Deion Sanders knows how to attract transfer portal players to a talented roster.
Adding Hayden might send current players to the portal, but he’s trying to win now. Hayden would join the electric Dylan Edwards next to quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and the offense could be more balanced with his arrival.
Louisville Cardinals
Louisville already saw Peny Boone come and go, meaning they’re still in the hunt for their future starting running back. Jeff Brohm and his staff hammered the transfer portal the last two years, and they could find a solution to their starting running back vacancy.
Hayden played high school football just six hours away from Louisville, so moving a little closer to home could benefit the Cardinals. Throwing him in Brohm’s offense seems to be an easy match, and the Cardinals have plenty of talent on offense to produce another explosive offense.
Tennessee Volunteers
Hayden won’t have a shortage of options this offseason, and returning to the state of Tennessee could be another option. The Volunteers have Dylan Sampson returning, but proven depth remains a question.
Hayden gives Josh Heupel a proven player who’s looking for a more prominent role and also gives this offense quality depth. He’d be an instant impact player for an offense that finished 10th in the country in rush offense last year.
Auburn Tigers
Putting Hayden in Hugh Freeze’s offense makes sense and ramps up the excitement for the Auburn Tigers in 2024. They’re on the path to rebuilding, but the Tigers did finish 6-7 last year.
Adding Hayden pairs him with Jarquez Hunter, meaning this rushing attack will improve from a group that finished 24th in the country in 2023. If the passing attack can take off or at least see freshman Cam Coleman take off, then the rushing attack won’t have to do as much and will thrive even more.
Memphis Tigers
Hayden’s from Memphis, but this might be a stretch with the amount of options Hayden will have this offseason. The Tigers look to replace Blake Watson, but they don’t have anyone ready to anoint as his successor.
KEEP READING: 2024 College Football Transfer Portal Tracker
This would be a situation where Hayden would start right away. He’d be the most talented back on the roster, and the Tigers offense would take off should he join their team. With Seth Henigan and Roc Taylor leading the passing attack, the Tigers already have an explosive offense, but Hayden takes that to another level.
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