The Hurry-Up: Malik Hartford Puts Ohio State in His Top Seven, Preston Alford is

On Feb 12, 2022

One of the fastest-rising targets on Ohio State’s recruiting board has narrowed down his recruitment.

Four-star 2023 Ohio safety Malik Hartford dropped a top seven school list on Friday consisting of Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Cincinnati, Notre Dame, Kentucky and West Virginia – and indicated that he’ll soon be narrowing his recruitment even further.

Top 7.. Top 3 #crownme pic.twitter.com/pRX2rUPpkc

— Malik Hartford (@MalikHartford) February 11, 2022

Hartford visited Ohio State in late January, the same weekend he received his official scholarship offer from the Buckeyes. The 6-foot-3, 175-pound prospect plans to visit Columbus again sometime this spring. Hartford plays for Lakota West High School, where he was teammates with recently enrolled Ohio State cornerback Jyaire Brown and offensive line signee Tegra Tshabola.

Hartford, who made 58 tackles and two interceptions for Lakota West last season, is ranked as the 215th-best player in the 2023 class, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.

Alford considering walk-on opportunity at OSU

Whether Ohio State adds another running back to its roster for the upcoming season could depend on if 2022 Texas running back Preston Alford decides to accept a preferred walk-on opportunity with the Buckeyes.

Alford was offered the opportunity by a coach that shares the same last name, but no relation: OSU running backs coach Tony Alford.

“Coach Alford and I have a great relationship,” Alford told Eleven Warriors. “It started late last summer before I visited up there. We have always communicated and he just didn’t know if he was going to be able to take a preferred walk-on running back. He told me last week about it. I’m just honored to be recognized by him and Ohio State.”

We hear horror stories about the transfer portal from seemingly any collegiate coach that gets in front of a microphone, both about the lack of landing spots for every athlete that tests the portal waters and the ripple effects the portal has on high school seniors searching for a home. Consider Alford in the latter camp.

In only eight games for Dripping Springs High School (Dripping Springs, Texas) last season, Alford ran for 1,245 yards and 28 touchdowns on 146 carries for a 8.5 yards per carry average. He also caught 19 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns. Per his 247Sports profile, Alford has seven Division I scholarship offers, including three at the FBS level. Not all of those offers are still on the table for the 5-foot-11 running back, though.

“I guess I waited too long to commit because schools decided to take portal kids,” Alford said. “It’s been a tough recruiting year for ‘22 kids. I am certainly considering the PWO opportunities. I have no problem betting on myself.”

For now, Alford is simply focused on finding a home at the next level. He has also received PWO opportunities from Oregon, Houston, Baylor, TCU and Oregon State.

“Right now I have had several coaches tell me not to get in a huge hurry,” Alford said. “Some mentioned waiting till after spring ball. I don’t know, maybe they think kids might transfer after spring ball. I would rather make a decision sooner rather than later.”

Alford took a visit to Columbus in late September and enjoyed the gameday atmosphere. He said he’s heavily considering the Buckeyes at the moment.

Thank you @CoachTonyAlford Amazing unofficial visit to @OhioStateFB. Incredible atmosphere, tradition and hospitality. Looking forward to getting back soon. pic.twitter.com/xLej5KwyHu

— Preston Alford (@prestonalford14) September 27, 2021

“It would be great to be able to play at Ohio State,” Alford said. “It is definitely a top choice for me. When I visited it was just an awesome experience from the coaches, tradition, atmosphere, fans and area. I loved it.”

Markway plans to visit OSU

Ohio State’s search for a second tight end in the 2023 class continues. On Thursday, four-star Walker Lyons included the Buckeyes in his top six schools list. Meanwhile, 2023 four-star Missouri tight end Mac Markway announced he will visit Columbus on March 26.

I will be at @OhioStateFB on March 26 @ryandaytime @OSUCoachKDub @CoachReedLive @SWiltfong247 #GoBucks

— Mac Markway (@mac_markway) February 10, 2022

Markway had Ohio State in his top schools list last falls before ultimately committing to Florida. Markway decommitted from Florida in December after the Gators fired Dan Mullen. Markway has reopened his recruitment and will also take visits this spring to LSU, Miami and Iowa, where his father played collegiately.

Markway is considered to be the 95th-best prospect and the fifth-best tight end in the 2023 class.

Zinter commits to Notre Dame

One tight end who won’t be joining Ty Lockwood in Ohio State’s 2023 recruiting class is Preston Zinter, who announced his commitment to Notre Dame on Friday.

Im COMMITTING to pic.twitter.com/gfNoh14exU

— Preston Zinter (@Preston_Zinter) February 11, 2022

Zinter, a four-star prospect who was offered by Ohio State as a tight end but plans to play linebacker at Notre Dame, visited Columbus in June after receiving an offer from Ohio State in May but did not return for a game visit in the fall. The Massachusetts resident is ranked as the 329th-best prospect in the 2023 class.