COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio State soccer program is predicted to signal four-star security Malik Hartford throughout the early signing interval for the 2023 recruiting class, which lasts from Dec. 21-23. Be taught extra about this member of the Buckeyes’ recruiting class with this profile.

Malik Hartford

College: Lakota West (Ohio).

Place: Security.

Peak, weight: 6-foot-2.5, 175 kilos.

247Sports score: 4-star prospect rated the No. 7 security, the No. 4 participant in Ohio and the No. 162 participant within the nation in response to the 247Sports composite scores.

Different gives: Alabama, Boston Faculty, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Duke, Jap Kentucky, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami (OH), Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Penn State, Purdue, Tennessee, Toledo, Vanderbilt and West Virginia.

What’s his deal?

Hartford was one of many first defensive commits as soon as Jim Knowles and the brand new defensive teaching employees have been introduced in, so he selected this 4-2-5 scheme. He was the beginning of the speculation that Perry Eliano could also be a house run rent, particularly as a recruiter now that he was at a college the place he had the sources and the backing that may enable him to maximise that capability.

How he matches into Ohio State’s plans

Hartford matches in on the adjuster security function because the closest factor to a free security of the three spots, and his talent set matches it completely. He has the size and ranginess to play sideline to sideline, whether or not it’s as a playmaker or simply cleansing up performs and stopping them from turning into explosives. Plus, he can hit.

Projections for 2023

Hartford is nice sufficient to battle for a spot within the two-deep. Lathan Ransom is predicted to be the beginning adjuster subsequent season, so the probabilities of Hartford claiming a beginning spot are low. However at a naked minimal, he must be a participant on particular groups as a real freshman, setting himself as much as win a beginning job in 2024.

Learn extra about Hartford

• Malik Hartford commits to Ohio State

• What Malik Harford’s dedication means

• What Malik Hartford’s April 6 dedication date means

Extra Ohio State Nationwide Signing Day profiles

• Kayin Lee, 4-star cornerback

• Josh Padilla, 4-star offensive lineman

• Arvell Reese, 4-star linebacker

• Jermaine Mathews, 4-star cornerback

• Austin Siereveld, 4-star offensive lineman

• Jayden Bonsu, 4-star security

• Bryson Rodgers, 4-star extensive receiver

• Cedrick Hawkins, 4-star security

• Kayden McDonald, 4-star defensive lineman

• Will Smith Jr., 4-star defensive lineman

• Miles Walker, 3-star offensive sort out

Advisable Buckeyes tales

C.J. Stroud’s unfinished Ohio State soccer legacy and our Heisman Trophy voting: Buckeye Speak Podcast

Two Ohio State soccer stars transfer nearer to consensus All-America standing after FWAA listing

Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. and Paris Johnson Jr. start All-America haul with Walter Camp

If you happen to or a beloved one has questions and wishes to speak to an expert about playing, name the Ohio Downside Playing Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or the Nationwide Council on Program Playing Helpline (NCPG) at 1-800-522-4700.