Malik Hartford commits to Ohio State
COLUMBUS — Ohio State offered Malik Hartford in January, a move that was made to let the 2023 safety know he was a priority for the Buckeyes.
On Wednesday that effort paid off: Hartford has committed to Ohio State.
The country’s No. 9-ranked safety prospect, the 6-foot-2, 175-pound Hartford told Lettermen Row in early March that his relationship with the Buckeyes had been accelerating quickly since January. The bond he’s built with new Ohio State safeties coach Perry Eliano — who recruited Hartford while at Cincinnati – opened the door for the Buckeyes.
“Coach Eliano is definitely the same guy,” Malik Hartford said. “Just because he’s in a different position he’s not going to change his personality.”
It’s the personality of Ohio State, and of Malik Hartford, that make this pairing such a natural fit. Even after his most recent trip with the Buckeyes, Hartford wanted to make other visits. Seeing his other finalists again was important for him. The Lakota West (West Chester, Ohio) High School star didn’t want to rush into an emotional decision.
“I don’t really have a date for a decision, he said. “But it won’t be an “in the moment” type of decision.”
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He narrowed his list down to seven programs and made return visits to Michigan State, Notre Dame, Michigan and Cincinnati in recent months as well. There was no panic and no hurry, but the bottom line was the same.
The feeling Malik Hartford felt in Columbus was different. Though he wasn’t born in Ohio, the attention from the Buckeyes, becoming a priority of the Buckeyes, was powerful.
“When I take a step back and think about it, it’s all kind of surreal,” Hartford told Lettermen Row. “[Ohio State] is a top program and who wouldn’t want to play for one of those top schools? I feel like after every visit I make it’s hard because every trip is a great experience. The coaches always make it a great experience.”
It’s an experience that Malik Hartford and his family will get to relive many times moving forward. He is commitment No. 6 for Ohio State in its Class of 2023 and will play a key role in the future of Ryan Day’s defense at safety.