Interview with 5-star linebacker Daelin “The Future” Hayes

Every year U.S. high schools across the nation turn out amazing gridiron talents. Many of those talents matriculate onto college campuses hoping to make their impact at the collegiate level while receiving their degrees before hearing their names called during the NFL Draft, if lucky.

Some players make their mark by being skilled technicians, fast-on-fast, big and strong, heady, or just as an overachiever who makes plays happen. A lot of football players that are “tweeners” get labeled as an athlete because recruiters can see said recruit playing multiple positions at the next level or are unsure how to utilize that recruit’s abilities best until they get them on campus.

Very few high school football players can embody all the above mentioned characteristics while being able to make an instant impact at any of a number of positions once in the college game. Even fewer have the potential to single handily change the fortunes of a program during their time on campus. One such player who undoubtedly can is Skyline High School’s Daelin “The Future” Hayes.

Hayes started his junior season at St. Bonaventure High School in Ventura, California after moving from Michigan. Caught in between a family divided between the two states, the only group to benefit from an unsigned transfer agreement was area California high school offenses. Hayes, then 6’3”, 227 pounds, did not truly suffer in the long run except his highlight reel was about 10 games short of jaw dropping action. In the three games played, he routinely devoured quarterbacks, chased down running backs heading the other way, and fought off double and triple teams still making plays.

With all of the off-the-field confusion for “The Future” cleared before the 2015 season begins, Hayes is now set to be on the field for Skyline High School making the Eagles’ future now extremely bright.

The Seraphs, even with USC signee Ricky Town under center, stumbled to a 6-5 record without Hayes. Hayes’ new team, the Eagles, suffered through a dismal season finishing 0-9 in 2014, but all of that changes in 2015 with their new 5-star do-everything talent in uniform giving everyone hope for the future.

One better believe that Hayes will be utilized to his fullest extent come Friday nights in Ann Arbor, Michigan this season. The now 6’4”, 245 pound, talent could be lined up at running back, tight end, defensive end or outside linebacker, his natural position, and yes, even in the slot. Think it’s a stretch try watching any exposure camp highlight reels from this offseason where he makes a mockery of some of the top cover corners in the nation snap after snap catching pass after pass.

As in life and on the football field, sometimes the future is unfair… well at least it will be for opposing Pac-12 teams. Big, strong, fast, and smart, the rare talent has compiled a list of 23 scholarship offers from top teams around the nation including Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Georgia, LSU, Mississippi State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Tennessee, UCLA, Wisconsin and of course in-state powers Michigan and Michigan State all hoping to change their future fortunes with Hayes’ signed LOI.

The winner in The Future’s recruiting stakes was USC verbally committing on July 26, 2014.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview Daelin sat down to talk about his abbreviated 2014 season, his grueling offseason workouts, recruiting, and yes, even a look into the future.

 

Daelin, what’s the quick version, if there is one, on the move back and forth between California and Michigan?

“I played the first three games at St. Bonaventure but had to eventually move back to Michigan. I sat out some games at St. Bonaventure while the courts tried to figure everything out. I got into Skyline just after Christmas break. I’m excited about my new school, we’re building something special here at Skyline but I do love California.”

You’re a dominating presence on the field with offenses dedicating two and three guys to slowing you down. What are your strengths on the field that give opposing offensive coordinators so much trouble?

“I’ve always been the biggest and most athletic guy on the field. I have a mean streak. That mean streak is one of the main things you have to have. I feel like I can dominate. That is my goal this year to be a dominate force. I want to unleash my will on opposing offenses. When the game comes they’ll have to accommodate for me. I’ve been going through mental and physical preparation for the season already.”

Skyline had a rough year last year. How has the transition with the new team gone so far especially with the presence you bring?

“Skyline was a young team last year. I’ve been working with my new teammates, trying to be a solid consistent leader. Coming in, it was new but they’ve accepted me with open arms.”

What are your goals for the 2015 football season?

“Honestly I’ve done everything I can really do in high school. I’m going to the 5-star challenge in Baltimore, I’ve signed my All-American papers, and I’ve been named a top defender in the nation. Besides being a dominate player, I want to be a leader of young men. I want to be a consistent leader. A lot of people are put in a position of leadership, but it’s a whole other thing to lead. A leader is there appointed to that role. I want to inspire people for a bigger cause. Being a leader who inspires is something different. One of my other goals is to grow as a player.”

Has your new coach looked for different ways to use you on both offense and defense this year?

“Oh yeah, this week when we started team workouts I’ve line up at Mike, Will, Sam, in the slot, at running back, and at fullback. I’ve literally played seven different positions. I’m looking forward to it. I played some slot at the Rivals camp. They can’t stop me, it is what it is. I love it.”

By my last count you have 23 scholarship offers. Which schools are still recruiting you hard?

“Michigan and Michigan State are still recruiting me hard. UCLA is talking to me hard. Alabama came out to the school last week and Notre Dame did as well. Those five are pretty hard on me.”

What are the coaches telling you when talking to you?

“If I ever change my mind they want me.”

When the coaches talk to you about your game what are they telling you they like?

“Coaches are trying to recruit you because you have size, athleticism, and a combination of things. I always ask the coaches to breakdown my film asking them what I can improve on. I want to take different things from different people.

When you ask that of the coaches what are they saying then?

“One coach tells me he wants me to use my hands better. I’ve gotten different things from different people. It’s pretty similar across the board but it’s all about coaching preference. Most coaches feel like I do a lot of things well.”

What about the USC coaches, what did they tell you?

“The USC coaches told me that I can use my hands better. They said when I get on the next level everyone is my size. They also said ultimately what you’re doing now to smaller guys you will be able to do to bigger guys with proper hand placement.”

What were the main things that influenced you to commit to USC?

“My family. My mom and her fiancée were with me. You have a box of things to check off. First and foremost my mom is as an educator. Why not go in with the best of the best? USC has a two percent acceptance rate. Also, I’m in love with California. There’s nothing like it.

“As far as the schematic, I play best in a 3-4 (defense). I’m able to come off the edge. Whatever they need me to do I can do it. I can drop back in coverage, whatever. I love Coach (Peter) Sirmon (Linebackers Coach and Recruiting Coordinator) and Coach Stark (Head Coach Steve Sarkisian). I feed off of other people’s energy. I liked their energy. That was a big thing for me.”

Are you attending any one-day college camps this summer?

“USC, that’s it.”

Do you plan on using any of your official visits your senior year?

“Right now I just have one scheduled and I’m sure you know what that is.”

What are you doing in the offseason to prepare for your senior year?

(Laughing) “If you only knew. Our coach at Skyline, Coach B (Branden Bedinger) was a strength and conditioning coach with the (Detroit) Lions. His workouts are excellent. When I was on USC’s campus a few months ago in February I was at 230. Now I’m at 250 but I’m still moving the same. I was surprised by how well I moved with the weight. I even feel more explosive. Working with him has been very beneficial to me.

“I’m also doing a lot of Yoga. Yoga helps with injury prevention. It’s helped me drop my center of gravity and change of direction too. I do Yoga in the morning, team workouts after school, and then another workout.”

Are there any college or NFL players you enjoy watching play the game?

“On Saturdays I like watching Jaylon Smith from Notre Dame (2012 Pro Football Weekly’s Top High School Linebacker in the Nation). I love watching him. He was a senior when I was an eighth grader. I draw a lot of comparisons from him. He’s a big guy but he can move. He moves like a DB. He played some running back at 6’3”, 230 pounds. He was a stud. Growing up watching him play was pretty cool.

“On Sundays, I watch a lot of different players. AP (Adrian Peterson – RB, Minnesota Vikings) is one of my favorite players. Before I find out I was going to be 6’4” I wanted to be like him.”

Have you played any other varsity sports?

“I used to high jump, run the 4×1, and 4×2. I played basketball my freshman year. That was short lived.”

What was your best high jump?

“My freshman year I jumped 6’2”. I was only 180 pounds.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“That’s a hard question. Game day, game day is the best day. That is the best thing about playing football. So much goes into it. So much goes into the season. Working out in the offseason and the bond you create with your teammates. So much goes into it. To finally see the product on Friday nights is the greatest thing in the world. That’s why football is the greatest sport in the world. There’s nothing else like it in the world. When you hear the crowd roar and you’re looking at your teammates there’s nothing like it.”

Who has made the biggest impact on your football career so far?

“My mom (Lakeshia Neal) has had the biggest impact on me. She’s been that solid rock from the time I was a freshman when I was a young guy trying to make a name for myself. She has never changed. She’s been the same with me. She’s never really followed football. Literally she’s sitting in the stands asking people if I did good during the game (laughing). That’s mom for ya. That’s a blessing and a curse, she doesn’t know if I’ve had a bad game or a good game. She was excited for me with my first and my last offer.

“Mom never got too invested in all the hype. Mom wants to make sure that I’m a solid student and a solid young man. The day I got my offer from Alabama, I was excited. Mom doesn’t know Alabama. I’m trying to explain it to her telling her about the national championships. She made me go clean the kitchen. I wouldn’t change it for the world. The way she is allows you to not lose yourself in the process. If you start reading your press clippings you can lose yourself. She keeps me level.”

 

Daelin Hayes’ future is very bright and in more ways than one. Humble, confident, well rounded, and ready to embrace all that comes with being the cornerstone of a team’s future.

When Daelin’s playing days are done, the “old timers” will talk about his feats on the field with the side note of “yeah, but the sad thing is he could have been the best at this position if he wasn’t playing that position.” Whichever position Daelin settles in on at the college level or beyond, expect him to be The Future of that position for years to come.

Written by Ryan Wright

Photo credit: rivals.com; Daelin Hayes performs at a Rivals camp.

Photo credit: rivals.com; Daelin at Total Performance Training Center.

Photo credit: Daelin Hayes; Daelin with mom Lakeshia Neal and Coach Steve Sarkisian.