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S Malik Hartford (National Champion)

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"Malik has come in and worked," Ohio State safeties coach Perry Eliano said of Hartford last week. "You see the talent that you saw when he was at Lakota West. He's extremely smart and has a high football IQ. He's a very, very humble young man that has come in, and he's shown flashes of what he can be. He's still learning the game of football on the collegiate level, but I'll tell you what, I've been pleased with what I've seen."
 
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  • Lathan Ransom has had a “great camp, great spring,” Knowles said. Added that Josh Proctor, Malik Hartford and Ja’Had Carter will also be in competition for a role in the defense.
  • On Hartford: “You feel their presence on the field ... Malik is a guy who’s going to show up around the ball. He’s very smart.”
  • At adjuster, Knowles wants to “solidify” the starter in an ongoing competition between Proctor, Hartford and Carter. Added that he’s worried about depth at defensive tackle with how much guys “beat up,” though he likes pieces that they have.
 
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  • On if he's more confident in the safety depth between Jaylen McClain and Malik Hartford getting more reps. "Yes. Yes. Both of those guys are coming along."
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Presser Bullets: Ryan Day Wishes He Could "Say More" About Denzel Burke's Targeting Call, Buckeyes Evaluating Options at Kick Returner During Bye Week

Ryan Day says “I wish I could say more” about the targeting call against Denzel Burke and that the Buckeyes will evaluate their kickoff returner situation during the bye week.
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Jaylen McClain, Malik Hartford Impressing in Ohio State’s Strong Safety Competition: “They've Played Exceptionally Well”​

By Andy Anders on August 19, 2025 at 6:30 pm @andyanders55
Jaylen McClain and Malik Hartford

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Mum is still the word about position battles that aren’t at quarterback for Ohio State.
Malik Hartford and Jaylen McClain have fought all offseason to start at strong safety next to the best defensive player in college football, Caleb Downs. But no one is naming a leader.
“I think they’re both ready to play,” Ryan Day said on Monday. “I think they're both doing well. We tackled, again, a decent amount here in the preseason, it felt like they're playing faster. I think they do, being with Caleb, they do play faster. There's a certain level of confidence that you see, too, back there. I think that's good.”
One thing has been clear since the spring, however: Both men are going to see the field. And lately it seems that both will see it plenty.
“Great competition back and forth,” defensive coordinator Matt Patricia said. “I think both of them have really made great gains. Certainly with the communication, I think that's one of the biggest things in the back end. Tying together the coverage, whether you're talking to the corners outside or down to the linebackers in front of you. There's some things in there communication-wise that are really critical and both of those guys have done a good job.”

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Jaylen McClain, Malik Hartford Impressing in Ohio State’s Strong Safety Competition: “They've Played Exceptionally Well”

Jaylen McClain and Malik Hartford have played “exceptionally well” in their battle to start at strong safety, and the Buckeyes want to get both of them involved on defense.
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