Ohio State '23 OH SAF (SO) - Malik Hartford

Had a great time at THE Ohio State University‼️..but someone needa teach Coach Eliano how to griddy😂😂 #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/nmr4Obz12D

— Malik Hartford🤴🏽 (@MalikHartford) March 10, 2022

 

#Buckeyes' safety target Malik Hartford returns from his #OhioState visit more comfortable than ever (VIP via @Bill_Kurelic)https://t.co/1fzIa8TsZh pic.twitter.com/JMHOvaPFwI

— Bucknuts (@Bucknuts247) March 11, 2022

 

The Hurry-Up: Ohio State is “at the top” of Bryson Rodgers’ list, Trevor Lauck puts OSU in his top eight and Malik Hartford enjoyed his visit on Thursday.https://t.co/liKyDgm1Sv

— Garrick Hodge (@Garrick_Hodge) March 11, 2022

HARTFORD ENJOYS VISIT TO OHIO STATE
Ohio four-star safety Malik Hartford made his third visit to Ohio State for the Buckeyes’ second spring practice on Thursday, and he told 247Sports he enjoyed his time in Columbus.

“I’m getting more and more comfortable with coach (Jim) Knowles each time,” Hartford told 247Sports. “You would be surprised how many jokes he has. I definitely am feeling more and more comfortable with him.”

Hartford said he will soon narrow his school list down to three and will take two or three official visits in June before making a commitment. He also said Ohio State is high on his list at the moment.

The 6-foot-3, 175-pound safety also took to Twitter to post some of the photos from his visit, and show off some of Perry Eliano's dance moves.

 

• It’s been pretty clear that the next in-state player of major importance for the coaching staff is Lakota West product, Malik Hartford. The 11th best safety in the 2023 class, Malik is the fourth-ranked player in Ohio for this cycle and a guy the staff certainly wants in the fold before too long.

Making the short trip up to Columbus, Hartford was back to see the Buckeyes on Thursday and got the chance to really connect with position coach, Perry Eliano. Getting to know Hartford more in depth is of course on the agenda for the new safety coach, and while the Buckeyes are in a good spot already, the developing of a strong bond with Hartford and this new look coaching staff could be the last box to check. Overall, the visit looked to be very successful.

 

After a great conversation with @Coachpoindexter I’m thankful to receive an offer from Penn State University @coachjfranklin @CoachTomBolden @AllenTrieu pic.twitter.com/x36tAcAF6e

— Malik Hartford🤴🏽 (@MalikHartford) March 16, 2022

 

Safety Malik Hartford, a Top 100 national recruit, was back at Michigan State yesterday and he said it solidified his feelings about the Spartans.

He also talks about whether or not recent Penn State & Alabama offers change his recruitment. (VIP) https://t.co/wN7tq1Z0yH pic.twitter.com/1G0pY0Lt4Y

— Allen Trieu (@AllenTrieu) March 16, 2022

 

A scouting report on 2023 4-star safety and #OhioState target @MalikHartford (FREE)https://t.co/SEDfOnfXlE pic.twitter.com/WxYOuw0nI6

— Bucknuts (@Bucknuts247) March 28, 2022

 

Commitment coming April 6 at 3:30 pm est‼️ It will be held at Lakota West and streaming on CBS Sports. All are welcome! If you have any question please DM @LakotaWestFB #AGTG #crownme

— Malik Hartford🤴🏽 (@MalikHartford) March 31, 2022

 

Four-star safety Malik Hartford is less than a week away from announcing his college decision.

The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine has the in-state Buckeyes as the favorites to land him.

MORE: https://t.co/w8IZ1zhxMQ pic.twitter.com/Yg2f6Of7J8

— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) March 31, 2022

 

One of Ohio State’s priority targets for the 2023 class is set to make a decision.

Four-star Ohio safety Malik Hartford will announce his commitment Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at Lakota West High School.

The 6-foot-3, 175-pound Hartford will choose from a list of seven finalists that consists of Ohio State, Cincinnati, Michigan, Notre Dame, West Virginia, Kentucky and Michigan State. Less than a week before Hartford tells the world his decision, the Buckeyes are in great shape to land the 154th-ranked player and the 11th-best safety in the 2023 class, per 247Sports’ composite rankings.

Hartford received his Ohio State offer while making an unofficial visit to Columbus on Jan. 22. The Buckeyes have since risen quickly in Hartford’s recruitment, in large part because of his relationship with OSU safeties coach Perry Eliano, who was Hartford's lead recruiter when he coached at Cincinnati.

"I'm just more comfortable around (Ohio State) and I'm learning their scheme," Hartford told Eleven Warriors about Ohio State at the Under Armour Next camp on March 20. "Coach Eliano is a great coach and the overall program (is great). It's a top three program in the country. They're always good."

Hartford has also spoken numerous times with defensive coordinator Jim Knowles on his visits to Columbus and via phone.

"He's a good coach," Hartford said. "He knows his scheme and he knows football."

Hartford made 58 tackles and recorded two interceptions last season for Lakota West, while he also had six blocked kicks on special teams. He could become the third Buckeye from Lakota West in a two-year span, as 2022 signees Jyaire Brown and Tegra Tshabola were both teammates with Hartford at Lakota West.

Should Hartford pick the Buckeyes, he’ll be the sixth overall commit (assuming no one else pulls the trigger before then) and the fourth in-state product to give his verbal to the Buckeyes in the 2023 cycle. He’d also become the second safety commit in the class, joining four-star Florida safety Cedrick Hawkins, who will be among the prospects visiting OSU this weekend.

Ohio State would like to take three safeties in 2023, so if Hartford joins the fold, that would likely leave one spot remaining for what could be one of Caleb Downs, Joenel Aguero or Daemon Fagan.

 

4⭐️ safety Malik Hartford makes his college commitment LIVE on @CBSSportsHQ this Wednesday 👀

Where will @MalikHartford play his college football⁉️

📰 https://t.co/wAHUKBg1vv

📺 https://t.co/agBsGQNm8E pic.twitter.com/f7R38g6xtk

— 247Sports (@247Sports) April 4, 2022

 

HARTFORD TO COMMIT WEDNESDAY
Ohio State's 2023 recruiting class could grow to six commitments on Wednesday if it receives good news from 2023 four-star Ohio State safety Malik Hartford.

Hartford will commit at 3:30 p.m. from Lakota West High School and choose from a top seven of Ohio State, Cincinnati, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame and West Virginia. The 6-foot-3, 175-pound prospect is ranked as the 146th-best prospect and the 11th-best safety in the 2023 cycle.

Five 247Sports Crystal Ball projections have been cast for Hartford, and all five predict the Ohio standout will wind up with the Buckeyes. Should that come to fruition, Hartford will become the second safety in the class, along with four-star 2023 Florida safety Cedrick Hawkins.

 

BREAKING: Four-Star Safety Malik Hartford has Committed to Ohio State, he tells @On3Recruits

The 6’3 180 S from West Chester, OH chose the Buckeyes over Alabama, Notre Dame, Michigan State, and Cincinnati.

More Here (FREE): https://t.co/kWwTUAzbnE pic.twitter.com/Nm8EdtUyNN

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 6, 2022

 

BREAKING: Four-star SAF/ATH Malik Hartford commits to Ohio State.

Get the full commitment breakdown with quotes from Hartford here 👇https://t.co/tgQQgsNxjj

— Clint Cosgrove (@IamClint_C) April 6, 2022

 

#BREAKING: 4⭐️ safety Malik Hartford has committed to THE @OhioStateFB Buckeyes 🔥

The Buckeyes now have the 6th-ranked 2023 recruiting class 🌰@MalikHartford | @Bucknuts247 pic.twitter.com/vOU2etj3CZ

— 247Sports (@247Sports) April 6, 2022

 

Four-star safety Malik Hartford is staying in the state and joining Ohio State’s 2023 class. FREE on @Bucknuts247https://t.co/DfROv2IWAg pic.twitter.com/n0F7Mt4b7k

— Patrick Murphy (@_Pat_Murphy) April 6, 2022

 

Malik Hartford commits to Ohio Statehttps://t.co/htmJfCa9GI

— Lettermen Row (@LettermenRow) April 6, 2022

 

Four-Star Safety Malik Hartford Commits To Ohio State https://t.co/3UJJcEj68V

— BuckeyeScoop (@BuckeyeScoop) April 6, 2022