A true freshman started for Ohio State's defense on Saturday.
With veteran Buckeye Josh Proctor listed as questionable as he deals with an undisclosed ailment, Ohio State's coaches opted to start Malik Hartford – a four-star recruit out of Lakota West in the class of 2023 – next to Lathan Ransom and Sonny Styles as its third safety. Hartford earned the nod over Ja'Had Carter, who arrived in Columbus after three seasons at Syracuse.
Hartford became the first freshman to start for the Buckeyes' defense since Jyaire Brown debuted as a starter in Ohio State's Week 4 battle with Wisconsin last season.
Carter entered in the second series for Hartford and remained Ohio State's free safety until garbage time against the Penguins, however. The Syracuse transfer brought three seasons of starting experience with him to Ohio State.
He made 136 tackles and picked off five passes in his career with the Orange.
Hartford has received plenty of praise in his first season as a Buckeye. In his press conference before the Indiana matchup, Jim Knowles said the 6-foot-2, 194-pound athlete has "rare" traits that have impressed Hartford's coaches and teammates since he arrived on campus in January.
“He's smart. He has football intelligence,” Knowles said. "I had a guy at Oklahoma State, Kolby Harvell-Peel, played for me as a freshman. There are guys that are rare. They come in. They have an understanding of the game. They find a way to get around the ball. It jumps out at you.”
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has made similar remarks about Hartford.
“I remember some of the highlights he had coming out of high school," Day said. "He is a really fast, violent player. When he got here, we quickly learned that there was more to him than just that. Very mature approach. He sees it. He’s got very good instincts.”
