After witnessing a mass exodus of running backs to the transfer portal, the Colorado Buffaloes are fortifying their ranks. Freshmen Dylan Edwards and sophomore Sy’Veon Wilkerson, and sophomore Alton McCaskill departed during the spring transfer window, leaving the Buffaloes with alarmingly thin depth in their running back corps. To address this, they welcomed former three-star recruit, sophomore Dallan Hayden, standing at 5’-10” and weighing 205 lbs, who made the move from Ohio State.
During his freshman campaign with the Buckeyes, Hayden showcased his talent by rushing for 510 yards on 102 carries, finding the end zone five times. While his receiving contributions were limited to four receptions for 23 yards, his standout performance came against the Maryland Terrapins on Nov. 19, where he bulldozed his way to 146 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries in a 43-30 victory for Ohio State. Hayden also led the team with 43 yards on nine carries in the heartbreaking 42-41 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
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However, Hayden found himself receiving fewer opportunities in his sophomore year due to a crowded running back rotation, appearing in only three games. In a 23-3 victory over the Indiana Hoosiers on Sept. 2, Hayden didn’t record any carries and managed only one reception for a loss of two yards. He bounced back in a 41-7 win against the Purdue Boilermakers on Oct. 14, tallying 76 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries.
In the following game, a 37-3 win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Nov. 18, Hayden managed eight carries for 34 yards. The arrival of star sophomore running back Quinshon Judkins from Ole Miss further complicated Hayden’s situation at Ohio State, especially with senior Chip Trayanum ahead of him on the depth chart.
This prompted Hayden’s decision to transfer to Colorado, where he aims to make an impact in Coach Prime’s second season. Hayden is poised to seize significant playing time in the Buffaloes’ backfield, bolstering a group that features only three returning players in freshmen Christian Sarem, Micah Welch, and sophomore Charlie Offerdahl, who combined for just two carries last season. Joining Hayden is Miami-Ohio transfer sophomore running back Rashad Amos, as they look to become key contributors in an offense led by quarterback Shedeur Sanders and receiver Travis Hunter.
