Ohio State RB Dallan Hayden Needs to 'Eliminate Noise,' Says Coach
Even in a backfield with multiple weapons, Ohio State Buckeyes running back Dallan Hayden showed what he was capable of during his freshman year this season.
But running back coach Tony Alford knows his talented ball carrier still has a ways to go as he continues through his first real collegiate offseason, admitting that most of Hayden's improvement will need to happen between the ears.
"Well I think it hopefully builds his confidence," Alford said of Hayden's season being a boost. "I had a conversation just yesterday actually about him building his confidence and eliminating the noise around him."
Stuck in a backfield with TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams, Hayden still managed to finish the season with the second-most carries on the team behind some big-time performances.
After Henderson suffered what eventually turned out to be a season-ending foot injury in the 43-30 win over Maryland on Nov. 19, Hayden stepped in and ran all over the Terps, as he finished the game with 27 carries for 146 yards and three touchdowns in a game that was much closer late than the final score indicated.
The week before seemed to have served as a warmup for Hayden's big day, as he had 19 carries for 102 yards and a score in the 56-14 win over the Indiana Hoosiers.
Hayden had nine carries for 43 yards in the College Football Playoff Semifinal loss to the Georgia Bulldogs. And even though Ohio State's season ended with heartbreak, Alford can already see Hayden walking around with a different energy after a strong late-season burst.
"Dallan's gonna be an excellent football player for us ... He's walking around with a different demeanor than he did early in the season."
Hayden will now look to be an even bigger piece for a Buckeyes offense that is set to look vastly different this fall.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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