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OSU running back Dallan Hayden's mom kind of named him after a Nickelodeon character
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- OSU running back Dallan Hayden's mom kind of named him after a Nickelodeon character
Ohio State running back Dallan Hayden played in 10 games as a true freshman, racking up 553 yards and five touchdowns on 111 carries. Then he appeared in the Buckeyes' opening game against Indiana this season. But because the goal is to redshirt him this season, Hayden didn't see the field again until a 41-7 win over Purdue .
Undisclosed injuries had sidelined TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams when Chip Trayanum took a first-quarter hit that left him woozy. At that point, Hayden stepped in to provide a team-high 76 yards on 11 carries for a 6.9-yard average.
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Hayden is native of Memphis, Tennessee, and his father, Aaron Hayden, played football at Tennessee before an NFL career with San Diego , Green Bay and Philadelphia.
Read on to learn more about Dallan Hayden.
Oct. 14, 2023; Lafayette, In., USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Dallan Hayden (5) is pursued by Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Sanoussi Kane (21) during the second half of Saturday's NCAA Division I football game at Ross-Ade Stadium in Lafayette.
Get to know Ohio State football running back Dallan Hayden
If your life was a song, what would the title be?
"Life is Good."
All right. And you're from Memphis, so is that the country song?
It's a rap song.
And who sings it?
Drake and Future.
What is it about life that makes it good right now?
Just, you know, being able to wake up every day and do what I like to do, I would say.
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What, other than football, do you like to do?
I like to hang out with friends and family. Probably watch Netflix. I'm not really a big video game guy. So probably watch TV.
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What is your Netflix go-to right now?
My Netflix go-to? That's a good question. I watched "Swamp Kings." That was pretty good. It's about the Florida Gators when coach Mick (Mickey Marotti) and coach ( Urban ) Meyer was there.
What's the best-looking outfit in your closet?
One of them is my "Anti-Social" T-shirt, some black jeans, probably one of my essential hoodies. I've got some good fashion.
Did you move around a lot as a kid?
No. I lived in Columbus for, like, a year, but I was a baby. I've lived in Tennessee (basically) my whole life.
So your dad's NFL career was done before you were born?
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He was done playing before I was born, for sure.
Ohio State running back Dallan Hayden is forced out of bounds by Georgia's Tykee Smith during the College Football Playoff semifinal.
What was it like returning to a city where you had lived only as a baby?
It was pretty cool. We liked Columbus. It was just far from family, and it was cold, obviously. But other than that, we liked Columbus.
So you prefer warm weather?
Yes.
Are you a beach guy?
Yeah, beach guy. Just sit there in the sand with a towel. Just sit there and chill, yes, ma'am.
So what's the best vacation you've taken?
I'd probably say when me and family go to 30-A. It's the area where they have a bunch of beaches, like Destin, Seaside and Panama City. That area. I would say that, for sure.
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If you were told, 'Dallan, we need a guest professor today, and we know you are an expert on this topic,' what would that topic be?
English. I feel like I'm a pretty good writer.
What's a subject you have enjoyed writing about?
I remember in English last year, I wrote about a movie. I wrote about the movie "Straight Outta Compton," and I liked that movie, so it was pretty easy actually, and I did pretty well on that paper.
Does anyone ever come up to your dad and say, 'I remember you from your playing days?'
Yes. All the time. Yeah, they remember from his playing days, but college more specifically, because we're in the state of Tennessee. They'll be like, 'Hey, I remember you! I remember you! I loved watching you run.' So, yeah, they definitely remember him.
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Do you want that to be something that happens to you someday, or would you prefer your privacy?
I definitely want to be remembered because I feel like if I'm remembered years down the road, it meant I did my job while playing ball.
True. But they can remember you and not come up to you at a grocery store.
I'm not going to get mad. I'm probably a more private person, but I'll talk to anybody if they talk to me.
Ohio State running back Dallan Hayden is tackled against Indiana on Sept. 2.
What is a topic that you wish more people would talk to you about?
Honestly, just what makes my city, the city I grew up in, the best barbecue place. Because I feel like up here, barbecue isn't as big as it was in my city. When they do have barbecue, I always tell them it's not like Memphis, Tennessee, barbecue. I have to let them know.
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So how can Columbus barbecue be improved?
I feel like they could have better sauce choices. In Memphis, they have really good sauces to go along with the barbecue. I don't know. They just don't do it the same up here like they do back home.
How much can barbecue be part of a football player's diet?
I can't have it every day, of course, but I have it from time to time. Like, when I go home, I always try to hit a barbecue spot one of the days I'm home.
We have Halloween coming up. What's your favorite candy?
Hershey's chocolate bars, for sure.
What was your best Halloween costume growing up?
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Batman. I was Batman one year.
You like superhero characters then?
Yeah. I'm more of a Marvel guy, though. I just feel like they have more superheroes. You've got Captain America, Black Panther, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Hulk. They just have the better roster.
Do you read the comic books or is it strictly the movies?
I used to read the comic books when I was a little kid, but now it's mainly movies.
Because you don't have time?
Yes, yes.
Ohio State running back Dallan Hayden scores a touchdown against Maryland on Nov. 19.
If you did have more free time, if money and time were no object, what hobby would you take up?
Maybe learn how to play golf. When my dad was done playing, he started playing golf a lot, and he keeps telling me I'm going to want to learn someday, and I just haven't. So probably that.
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If you could have an NIL deal with anybody, who would it be with?
Nike.
You're not wearing enough swooshes now?
I would get more personal things, like shoes and all that. That would be my dream, Nike.
If Nike came out with a Dallan Hayden shoe, what colors would it be?
Gotta have red in there. Blue is one of my favorite colors, but it's kind of prohibited in this area. Maybe purple. Those were my high school colors, purple and gold. So definitely (red or purple).
I love the name Dallan.
Thank you. Thank you.
Is there a story behind it, because you don't run into many Dallans?
This is what my mom told me: Something about on a Nickelodeon show, the dude's name was Dylan, but she felt Dylan was common, so she went with Dallan. My mom's pretty creative.
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What does she do?
She's a teacher back at my elementary school back home.
Did you ever have her as a teacher?
Nah. They don't allow parents to teach their kids.
But she was at your school?
Yeah.
So she would hear about you from all the other teachers?
Yes, yes, yes.
Was there ever anything to report?
It could go either way, honestly.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Get to know Ohio State football running back Dallan Hayden
