Lakota West defensive back receives scholarship offers from Ohio State, Notre Dame

Lakota West Malik Hartford reflects on their Division I Regional final football playoff game loss as Moeller celebrates in the background Friday, Nov. 19, 2021 at Dwire Field in Mason. Moeller won 21-17. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

Credit: Nick Graham

Lakota West Malik Hartford reflects on their Division I Regional final football playoff game loss as Moeller celebrates in the background Friday, Nov. 19, 2021 at Dwire Field in Mason. Moeller won 21-17. NICK GRAHAM / STAFF

Lakota West defensive back Malik Hartford was among a wave of players in the class of 2023 to receive an Ohio State over the past week.

A four-star “athlete” prospect who had 58 tackles for the Firebirds last season, Hartford is the No. 4 prospect in the state and No. 217 in the nation in 247Sports Composite rankings.

The 6-3, 180-pounder also had two interceptions and caught a 49-yard pass as his team went 11-2 and advanced to the regional finals in Division I.

Two days after getting the Ohio State offer, Hartford announced having added Notre Dame to a list of nearly two dozen that also includes Northwestern, Boston College and Cincinnati.

According to 247Sports, Hartford is among six in-state offers Ohio State has made for the class of 2023.

That group includes Lakota East offensive lineman Austin Siereveld and Wayne offensive lineman Joshua Padilla.

Padilla verbally committed to the Buckeyes last fall while Sierveld remains on the market and recently added offers from Michigan and Tennessee.

Lakota East lineman Austin Siereveld (72) blocks Lakota West's Malik Hartford during their football game Friday, Oct. 22, 2021 at Lakota West High School in West Chester Township. Lakota West won 34-7. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

icon to expand image

Credit: Nick Graham

The other OSU offers out are to Findlay offensive lineman Luke Montgomery, Mentor defensive lineman Brenan Vernon and Dublin Coffman defensive lineman Will Smith Jr.

Smith Jr. committed to Ohio State on Sunday, and Vernon has committed to Notre Dame.

Ohio State signed a pair of Firebirds in the class of 2022 — offensive tackle Tegra Tshabola and defensive back Jyaire Brown.

Before that, the least Ohio State recruit from LWHS was defensive lineman Solomon Thomas in 2007.

The Buckeyes also signed linemen Steve Rehring in 2004 and Brandon Maupin in 2003.

About the Author