Hassan Haskins said Ohio State was 'already defeated' by weather in 2021
Michigan football running back Hassan Haskins is the boogeyman to the Ohio State Buckeyes for his role in a 42-27 win on Nov. 27. He ran 28 times for 169 yards and five touchdowns in the team’s first win over its hated rival since 2011. That in part helped him pave the way to the Tennessee Titans, who drafted him in the fourth round last weekend.
Haskins spoke on ESPN 102.5 The Game’s “Darren, Daunic and Chase” in Nashville on Friday and relived the memory. He said the Buckeyes had the game lost the moment they stepped on the field.
“I’ve never experienced anything like that,” Haskins said. “That moment was a moment that I’ll never forget, and I’m glad we got done. Me and my teammates, we were prepared. I feel like we were the more prepared team, and it showed. Actually, I could tell by the coin toss. It was a little cold out there, but in my mind I couldn’t feel the cold. But I had seen in their eyes, they were already defeated. We just went out there and showed that we can get it done.”
Haskins was a 2021 second-team All-American from the AFCA and third-team selection from the Associated Press. The two-time All-Big Ten honoree was voted an alternate captain by his teammates in 2021 and appeared in 37 career games for the Maize and Blue. His 2021 season was his best, starting all 14 games at running back and gathering 270 carries for 1,327 yards and a program-record 20 touchdowns. Haskins also had 18 catches for 131 yards on the year. Now, he looks to bring it all to the professional level.
How Hassan Haskins will fit with the Tennessee Titans
Haskins also dished on his fit with his new NFL team and feels it worked together perfectly.
“First off, they like to run the ball,” Haskins said. “I love that about the team. They love running the ball. They’ve got a bigger back like Derrick Henry, and I feel like I’m a bigger-type back. So I just feel like they love their running backs, they love to run it and they love that physicality — and I feel like I’ve got all of it. So I’m just ready to work, get down there and have some fun.”
It is hard to think of many better fits than this. He gets to work behind Derrick Henry, who is a workhorse that will carry most of the load. Henry is getting up there in running back years, so there could be a shot at some maintenance carries. Haskins will also contribute immediately on special teams and in goalline situations. He will compete with Dontrell Hilliard for the No. 2 running back job in Nashville.
