Ryan Day reveals how Ohio State will offset loss of Evan Pryor
Ohio State running back Evan Pryor‘s 2022 season is over before it started following a severe knee injury that will keep him sidelined the entire year. While the injury happened so close to the kick off of the regular season, Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day already has a running back in mind to place in Pryor’s spot.
“I think Dallan Hayden has really come on. He’s been drinking through a firehose this preseason camp and he’s had ups and downs, but I gotta tell you, he’s got a lot of talent,” Day said. “He’s our third running back right now and he deserves it. He’s played really hard. He’s had his black stripe taken off. If he continues to grow, then we’re going to trust putting him in the game.”
Pryor was looking at a significant role in the run game this season alongside returning star TreVeyon Henderson and veteran Miyan Williams. He appeared in four games last season, maintaining his redshirt and totaling 98 yards and a touchdown, a role Hayden will now be forced into.
Day also mentioned DeaMonte Trayanum, a junior linebacker, come over to work with he running backs following Pryor’s injury. Trayanum played running back in high school
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“[Trayanum] is natural – and he’s doing a great job at linebacker as well – So he’ll be a guy that we could use as rain insurance if we needed him to,” Day said. “Just seeing them live and in color, he’s a talented running back. [I’ve] been very impressed the way he’s playing linebacker as well. We can also use him in a dual role if needed, but right now Dallan will be the third running back.”
If Ohio State can maintain its typical dominance over its regular season opposition, Day won’t hesitate to throw Hayden into the game more often than not – invaluable experience for a freshman with high expectations.