Ohio State landed another top in-state target on Wednesday when four-star safety Malik Hartford gave his verbal commitment to the Buckeyes.
Landing the top players in Ohio has always been a priority for Ryan Day and Ohio State, and Hartford’s commitment is another cap in that feather for the Buckeyes. Even more specifically, Hartford is another recruiting win for Ohio State from a strong high school football program at Lakota West. Hartford becomes the third Lakota West player to commit to the Buckeyes in a two-year span, as 2022 signees Jyaire Brown and Tegra Tshabola were high school teammates of Hartford’s at Lakota West last season.