Malik Hartford is staying in the Big Ten but heading to the West Coast.
The former Ohio State safety announced his transfer to UCLA on Tuesday.
BREAKING: Ohio State transfer safety Malik Hartford has Committed to UCLA, he tells @On3
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 14, 2026
The 62 195 S totaled 20 tackles and 3 PBUs in his time with the Buckeyes
Hell have 2 years of eligibility lefthttps://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/bWbGcjIvKG
Hartford becomes the second former Buckeye to transfer to UCLA this week, joining defensive tackle Maxwell Roy. Hartford heads to Westwood to play for new UCLA coach Bob Chesney after three seasons at Ohio State.
Hartford played his biggest role as a Buckeye as a freshman in 2013, starting two games and otherwise serving as Ohio State’s first safety off the bench. He was Ohio State’s backup free safety behind Caleb Downs in 2024. He began the 2025 season as Ohio State’s top backup safety behind Downs and Jaylen McClain, but opted to take a redshirt after the Buckeyes’ first four games to preserve his remaining two years of eligibility. Hartford did not return to action in the postseason as he underwent season-ending shoulder surgery.
Hartford entered the transfer portal on Friday. Had he stayed at Ohio State, he was in line to be a backup for the Buckeyes again after they added two new starting safeties via the transfer portal, Terry Moore (Duke) and Earl Little Jr. (Florida State).
