6-4, 247
Detroit, Mich./Skyline
ISD 4-star, Rivals 5-star, Scout 4-star, 24/7 4-star, ESPN 4-star
Recruiter: Mike Elston
Recruiting Rundown: This was a true back-and-forth recruitment. Notre Dame began recruiting Hayes as a freshman. In the summer between his sophomore and junior years, the Irish extended an offer and we haven’t come across many prospects more about landing an offer than him. Notre Dame was immediately installed by many as the favorite. Then Hayes shocked just about everybody by giving a commitment to USC and readying himself for a move to California just a couple weeks later. In what seemed a blur, a Midwestern prospect with the Irish as his leaders was a USC pledge living on the West Coast. But Hayes eventually moved back to Michigan and Notre Dame never lost touch. Slowly, the Irish began to make progress and he eventually made a couple visits to South Bend. By the time Steve Sarkisian was out at USC, Hayes was clearly trending toward the Irish. Notre Dame had to beat out Ohio State and Michigan State in the end, but held on to do just that.
Expert Analysis From Uyeyama: There isn’t a player with more athletic potential in this entire recruiting class than Hayes. For all of the elite athletic and physical traits he possesses, he has not played much football the last three years. Although he can be physically dominant and flashes some violent shock in his hands, he does not play with consistent technique and lacks recognition when it comes to run blocks. He will bully his man at the point of attack, but gets caught up with that instead of knowing where the guy with the football is.
Rushing the passer is where he has the potential to truly be special. He can be a big-time player at the next level if he’s healthy and gets the right coaching and I am excited to see Keith Gilmore get to work with someone of his talent level. He may not be the top defensive end prospect in the nation right now, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he ends up being the best to come out of this class four years from now.
