Breaking News Interview: 2017 Kentucky WR/SS CJ Hayes Announces Top 4 Schools

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Every year college football teams scour the high school ranks for top athletes that can fit their respective systems on both sides of the ball. One of the Class of 2017 recruits capable of playing on both sides of the ball at the collegiate level, and able to be an impact player, is CJ Hayes.

Hayes was a dynamic performer for South Warren High School during his junior season helping his Bowling Green squad to a Class 4A Kentucky state championship running up a 15-0 record along the way. Exact stats were not kept, but a best guessed estimate for Hayes’ line was around 25 receptions for 400 yards with seven touchdowns and four rushing scores on offense. On defense, Hayes had four picks taking two back the other way for scores.

Opposing high school coaches could see the many talents of Hayes at safety limiting his opportunities to make an impact as a pass defender by going the other way after the first couple of games. The 6’3”, 200 pound, talent found ways to contribute in head coach Brandon Smith’s offense as a receiver, even though defenses game planned to stop him.

All that talent on display was not bypassed by college coaches. To date, Hayes has 19 scholarship offers. Teams offering includes Navy, Middle Tennessee State, Marshall, Ball State, Appalachian State, Miami (OH), and Louisville. On Saturday, Hayes announced his Top 10 schools via a video release naming, in alphabetical order, Bowling Green (BGSU), Cincinnati, Illinois, Maryland, Ohio, Purdue, Syracuse, Toledo, Western Kentucky, and Western Michigan.

On Sunday, that list was narrowed down to a Top 3 with a potential fourth that could be added depending on how relations with one Power Five team plays out.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview. Hayes breaks down his criteria for what he is looking for in his top schools, updates his offseason workouts, and announces hit Top 3- or 4 schools.

Interview

CJ, congratulations on announcing your Top 10 schools.

“Thank you.”

That had to be difficult for you.

“It was very difficult. A lot of coaches call and text. The ones you think honestly care about you text and communicate more than the others.”

What was the criteria that you used to come up with your Top 10 schools?

“Mainly it was the communication I had with the coaches.”

Your Top 10 included Bowling Green (BGSU), Cincinnati, Illinois, Maryland, Ohio, Purdue, Syracuse, Toledo, Western Kentucky, and Western Michigan, how do you narrow down your list from here?

“In a couple of days I will sit down with my parents and make it smaller – a Top 5- or 6.”

What will be the criteria for the schools to make the next round of cuts?

“Education, playing time, and my trust with the coaches.”

You don’t have to name schools, but are you already leaning towards a couple of schools?

“If I had to pick today, my Top 3 would be Purdue, Toledo, and Illinois. The other school that could slide in there is Michigan State – if they make that call.”

Of the schools on your list, which ones are recruiting you to play wide receiver and which ones are recruiting you to play safety?

“I have four scholarships as a defensive back but all my top schools are recruiting me to play wide receiver.”

Have you been to any camps this offseason?

“I’ve been to two, one in Nashville, the Music City camp, and the Sound Mind Sound Body camp in Detroit.”

How did the Nashville camp go for you?

“It was a really good camp. Vanderbilt was on me heavy during that camp. It was fun and a great experience. I got a lot of attention from that camp.”

Are you going to any camps coming up?

“I might be done. It depends if Michigan State calls. That is a big thing, but I don’t know.”

How are your offseason workouts going?

“On Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday we workout at the high school from 7:30 to 12:00. We lift and workout outside – just like a college set-up.”

Have you maxed out on any of your primary lifts lately?

“No, not yet. I will do that soon. During baseball season our coach did not want us to lift so we did not hurt ourselves in some freak accident. The last two weeks of school we did not lift during the playoffs.”

How did the season end up for you guys?

“We lost in the semifinals – it was terrible.”

How well did you do in the playoffs?

“I did really well. During the season, I stole home three or four times. I want to say I batted around .360.”

Do you know any of your power numbers or RBIs?

“I don’t know my stats off bat, but I think I had 10 doubles and two triples. I honestly do not know the rest.”

Have you received any attention from Major League Baseball teams?

“Yes I have, from the Toronto Blue Jays. A scout for the Blue Jays came to watch me my sophomore year. He came to some of our games this year, I think three of our games. He talks like he likes me. Hopefully that is a good thing.”

Are any of the colleges recruiting you in football okay with you playing baseball for their respective schools?

“That’s a good question. I don’t think I could do both in college. I don’t know. That’s a good question.”

You mentioned no more camps unless Michigan State calls. Do you plan on taking any unofficial visits to your top schools coming up?

“No, not yet. We’ll see how the camp thing goes with Michigan State. After that, my family and I will sit down and figure some things out. Maybe we will visit some schools so my mom can see everything, get her real opinion.”

CJ, thanks for your time today. Good luck with the recruiting process going forward.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Hayes family; CJ Hayes tracks down a fly ball.

Photo credit: Hayes family; CJ Hayes goes Bo Jackson style.