Arkansas Secures Highly Prized 2017 Tennessee RB Chase Hayden
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The Arkansas Razorbacks continued to pile up Class of 2017 recruits on Sunday landing highly sought after Tennessee running back Chase Hayden.
Hayden had a breakout season for St. George High School (Collierville) with 2,625 yards rushing scoring 37 touchdowns and also had 19 receptions covering 249 more yards. On defense, Hayden was all over the field coming up with 53 tackles and three interceptions, returning one back for a score, primarily playing cornerback. Hayden earned first team All-State honors, Regional Player of the Year honors, and District Player of the Year honors leading his team to a Class II-A state title.
Hayden (5-10, 189) has that extra gear capable of turning on the jets to blow past defenders. Hayden also has great field vision finding holes in the defense for extra yards and is shifty able to cut on a dime.
Arkansas hosted Hayden on an unofficial during the Hogs spring game on April 23. Top SEC programs continued to pursue the dynamic athlete with Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina, and Missouri reportedly putting on the heat in hopes of swaying Hayden. Other teams to offer Hayden includes Oklahoma State, Michigan, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Purdue, Memphis, Illinois, and Arizona.
Hayden made his announcement official via Twitter posting:
Arkansas now has 17 verbal commitments to their 2017 class. Rivals ranks the Hogs recruiting class No. 25 in the nation highlighted by four-star junior college tight end Jeremy Patton and Hayden.
Arkansas Razorbacks 2017 Verbal Commitment List (17)
SS Korey Hernandez, 6-0, 175, Cedar Grove HS, Ellenwood, GA
CB Jordon Curtis, 5-11, 180, Jenks HS, Jenks, OK
CB Jarques McClellion, 6-0, 180, American Heritage, Delray Beach, FL
LB Derrick Munson, 6-0, 195, Archbishop Rummel, Metairie, LA
LB Josh Paul, 6-2, 205, De La Salle HS, New Orleans, LA
DE Ryder Anderson, 6-7, 230, Katy HS, Katy, TX
OT/DT Shane Clenin, 6-6, 285, Jefferson HS, Festus, MO
OT Kirby Adcock, 6-5, 280, Nashville HS, Nashville, AR
QB Daulton Hyatt, 6-3, 178, Etowah HS, Attalla, AL
RB Chase Hayden, 5-10, 189, St. George, Collierville, TN
RB Maleek Williams, 6-0, 215, Punta Gorda HS, Charlotte, FL
TE Jeremy Patton, 6-6, 230, Arizona Western C.C., Yuma, AZ
WR Maleek Barkley, 5-11, 185, Bishop Gorman HS, Las Vegas, NV
WR Jarrod Barnes, 5-11, 170, Cabot HS, Cabot, AR
WR Koilan Jackson, 6-3, 203, Robinson HS, Little Rock, AR
WR Jonathan Nance, 6-2, 180, Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C., Perkinston, MS
WR/ATH Devion Warren, 5-10, 170, Ouachita Parish HS, Monroe, LA
Photo credit: commercialappeal.com; No. 2 Chase Hayden breaks a long run in state title game.