Buffs Film Room: Dallan Hayden is primed to breakout in 2024

April was an emotional roller coaster for Buff Nation.

Spring football was in full swing, the transfer portal was cooking and the running back room was under construction.

Dallan Hayden’s commitment on April 22nd was quickly overshadowed by the portal turnover the Buffs suffered at running back and the fact that only two running backs were healthy enough to dress for the spring game.

After the dust from the portal has settled and players have arrived back in Boulder for summer workouts, it’s finally time to dig into Hayden’s film and break down the player who could bring balance to the Buffs’ offense this fall.

One Cut and Boom!

As a true freshman at Ohio State, Hayden finished second in rushing attempts for the Buckeyes as Treyveon Henderson battled through injuries all season. Behind one of the best offensive lines in college football along with his quick, physical one-cut running style, Hayden saw immediate success at the highest level of college football. Ohio State did a great job calling runs catered to Hayden’s skillset in 2022 and the former four-star recruit will likely be used similarly in Pat Shurmur’s offense this season.

The Buckeyes consistently put Hayden in a position to succeed with gap and zone-blocking schemes that allowed Hayden to attack the edges of defenses and search for cutback lanes.

Split zone has been a staple for the Buckeyes’ offense going back to Ezekiel Elliott and Urban Meyer. Hayden does a great job of avoiding a tackle for a loss with some sweet footwork and explodes upfield for a first down on this split zone late against Indiana.

Hayden had the best performance of his career thus far against Maryland in 2022 as the Buckeyes battled the Terapins down to the wire in Week 11. The former Ohio State running back picked up 18 yards on this outsize zone and ended up with 156 scrimmage yards on 29 touches and three touchdowns that day.

Once again, Hayden makes a man miss in the backfield and makes an aggressive cut upfield through a defensive back for a first down.

The competition in Colorado’s running back room will produce one of the most entertaining battles of fall camp. Hayden’s skillset should place him firmly in the conversation to potentially start and receive a large portion of carries under Pat Shurmur this year. His blend of vision, explosion, toughness and physicality was evident on film whenever he touched the ball for Ohio State.

Effort and Physicality

Hayden isn’t exactly a big back but at 5-foot-10 and 205 pounds, once he gains speed and momentum he can become a nightmare for defenders in his path. Finishing runs and punishing defenders is a staple of Hayden’s game.

Ohio State calls another outside run and it’s one cut, upfield and straight through a defender’s chest for a first down by Hayden.

Even with C.J. Stroud, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Treyveon Henderson on the field against Maryland in 2022, Hayden was the Buckeyes’ best offensive player that night. Ten of the Memphis native’s 29 touches that night produced a first down.

Hayden explodes through another crease in the Maryland defense and barrels his way through defenders and teammates to find paydirt.

With Shedeur Sanders and the depth of Colorado’s wide receiver corps leading one of college football’s most devastating passing attacks, a punishing running game should provide the balance the Buffs offense needs to keep opposing defenses on their heels.

How High is Hayden’s Ceiling?

After proving himself the last two seasons in Columbus, Hayden became one of the most sought-after running backs in the transfer portal this spring. In the limited time he was given the majority of rushing attempts in a game, Hayden consistently moved the chains and kept Ohio State’s offense on schedule. His reliability on a down-to-down basis instantly provides Colorado with a high-floor player to line up next to or behind Shedeur Sanders. But can he become an impact player for the Buffs?

Replacing Dylan Edwards’ speed with players like Kam Mikell, Isaiah Hardge or Jimmy Horn Jr. could be the answer however Hayden flashed big-play ability throughout his two seasons in Columbus. 70+ yard runs may not be Hayden’s game but he has the speed to burst through the offensive line and rip off 20+ yard runs with ease.

In Hayden’s second career college game, he nearly took this run 48 yards to the house against Toledo. Ohio State’s right guard blows his block and Hayden is greeted with a defender in his face as soon as he takes the handoff from Stroud. His footwork, vision and speed pop off the film on this play.

Hayden finds his way to the perimeter once again on this counter against Purdue in 2023.

The Buckeyes ran the same play for Hayden in the second half against Purdue with similar success.

After finishing dead last in the FBS in rushing yards per game in 2023, an improved running game is a virtual guarantee for the Buffs this season. While the running game may never be the featured attack for Colorado’s offense in 2024, a running back like Dallan Hayden could be the reason why Colorado can sustain drives, control the clock and win football games late into the season this fall.