Kentucky 2017 WR/DB Playmaker CJ Hayes Expanding Interest Beyond Regional D-I Teams

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

When the 2015 high school football season had drawn to a close, South Warren High School had captured the 4A Kentucky state title defeating Johnson Central (Paintsville) 36-6 for the honors posting a 15-0 win-loss record. The dream season had heroes and outstanding players all over the roster but one that stood out on both sides of the ball was Class of 2017 wide receiver/corner/safety CJ Hayes.

Hayes is that all-around athlete who could seemingly play just about anywhere on the field. Coming in at 6’3”, 200 pounds, Hayes displays that rare athleticism that allows him to run with just about anyone on the field lining up at wide receiver or at corner. Because of his talents, opposing Kentucky defenses sent double-teams his way trying to limit his receptions and opposing offenses went the other way when he was lining up on the island. Despite a stat line that does not overwhelm because of all the redirected action, Hayes still earned honorable mention All-State recognition as a cornerback.

The extra attention on both sides of the ball by opposing coaches did not go unnoticed by Division-I coaches. Hayes has stocked piled scholarship offers from Western Kentucky, Miami (OH), Eastern Kentucky, Cincinnati, Eastern Michigan, Appalachian State, Ball State, Bowling Green, Marshall, Western Michigan, Toledo, Middle Tennessee State, Army, and Navy with teams like Michigan State, Iowa State, Purdue, and Tennessee showing interest.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Hayes after an unofficial visit to Purdue to get his thoughts on his junior campaign, found out what he is working on before his senior season begins, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

CJ, South Warren steamrolled through the season with the closest games being a pair of 21-point wins (Central Hardin and North Hardin). Going into the season did you guys know you had this good of a team on the roster?

“We expected to be back in that situation but we took it game by game. Our coaches did a good job of making the other team look like the top team we will play in the season each week. We knew we were going to be in the state championship but we did not know how hard it will be.”

You had a great season on both sides of the ball but I could not find our season stats online. Do you know or roughly know what stats you put up in 2015?

“Not off my head. If I had to guess, I’d say I was around 24 to 25 catches. My yardage was maybe 400 yards with seven touchdowns. I had four rushing touchdowns. I know I had two interceptions returned for touchdowns with four interceptions overall. I maybe had 15 tackles last season. They did not throw to my side after the first four games. The coaches moved me around some so I could be more involved in the game to make plays but the teams kept going the other way.”

So that is why the coaches are moving you to safety this year so you can make more plays?

“Yes.”

Got it. As a defensive back, what are some of the things that you feel you do really well at this point in your career?

“As a safety, reading the ball, the wide receivers, and the quarterback. My coaches spend a lot of time with me in my back pedal breaking on the ball and getting the big hits. Baseball has helped me a lot in my reads. Just like when the ball comes off the bat, I’m adjusting to the ball in the air and making a play. I feel like I use my vision and physicality on the field really well.”

What about when you are lined up as a wide receiver? What are some of the things that help you stand out on that side of the ball?

“Basically, just get the ball in my hands and I will make plays. I do what I have to do to get the ball. I can run by guys or do a quick move to get open. I’m very physical as a receiver, at the high point I go up for the ball, and I go get it. I use my body to shield off the defender. I just use what God has given me.”

Between wide receiver and corner or safety, which position do you think is your best?

“I don’t look at it that way. I look at as how can I go on the field and play. How can I help the team? Wherever the coach wants me, I’m there. Wide receiver and lining up as a defensive back is not too difficult for me to do.”

Will we see you at more positions next season?

“I should be on our punt returner this year. I was on kickoff return in the state championship game but I never had the ball kicked to me. In one game last year, I was back deep on punt return, took it to the house but had it called back because of a penalty. I had nine touchdowns called back last year because of penalties.”

Wow. Nine?

“Yes.”

I’m guessing after the first couple were called back you stopped celebrating when you crossed the goal line looking for yellow laundry on the field.

(Laughs) “Yes, that’s exactly what happened. I would turn around and hope there was not a flag on the field.”

What are you working on in the offseason to improve your all-around game?

“Every day during school we have a weight lifting class. On Monday we do upper body, Tuesday is squats, and Wednesday is a flexibility training day. On Thursday we are back on upper body and on Friday back to squats. I’m also working on coming out of my breaks quicker. I’ve been training at National Playmaker Academy – they train players on improving their speed and moving laterally. A lot of speed and agility training. We do a lot of one-on-one defensive back drills. It is almost like a camp every time we train. There are a lot of good kids there and a lot of talent there.”

Have you maxed out on bench or squat lately?

“My bench press is 245 and my squat is 415. My vertical is right at 35 inches.”

Have you ran a 40-yard dash lately?

“No.”

Have you gone to any offseason camps yet or will you attend some coming up?

“I went to one on Saturday, a Rivals camp. If I am not doing baseball, I’m working out or at school.”

How did the Rivals camp go for you?

“It was great but it was cold. It was snowing too. We started early but the linemen stayed inside (laughs). I ran 15 routes, dropped two but caught everything else. I went as a wide receiver.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits?

“Yes, I took one to Purdue on Friday. I have also been to Toledo, Bowling Green, and Western Kentucky.”

You have a lot of offers on the table. Of all the schools that have offered, which programs are pushing the hardest for your verbal commitment right now?

“I would say Toledo, Cincinnati, Western Michigan, Army, and Navy.”

Which schools are recruiting you and showing interest but have not offered you yet?

“Purdue, Michigan State, Iowa State, and Tennessee.”

You just got back from visiting Purdue, how did that trip go?

“It was fun. As soon as I got there I talked to their wide receivers coach, Coach (Gerad) Parker. We toured the place and went into the weight room. I got a chance to talk to some players. After that I sat in the film room with the wide receivers. Later I talked to Purdue’s offensive coordinator, Coach (Terry) Malone. He showed me playbooks on playbooks telling me about himself and the offense. At the end we went to the indoor facility. There I got to talk to head coach Darrell Hazell. I asked him who I remind him of on the team.”

Which player do you remind him of that is on the team?

“No. 3, Bilal Marshall (senior wide receiver from Dad Christian in Miami, FL).”

That does sound like a great trip. How did your trip to Toledo go?

“When we got there, it was pretty cool. The spring game was cold, but that was not a factor. I talked to their wide receivers coach, Coach (Derek) Sage, after the game. Then I spoke with head coach Jason Candle. After talking to Coach Candle, Coach Sage and I looked at the dorms. I wanted to see that. The dorms looked nice. After that I went to the mall with one of the players. I was asking him real stuff, like is Toledo really this nice. He told me they are not telling you lies, they are telling you the truth. I asked a lot of guys the same kind of questions and they all said the same things. I went back to the hotel and the players were blowing my phone up on Twitter. I thought that was pretty cool.”

You have been on a few visits now. When you take your trips and start breaking down the schools over the staff, program, campus, and academics, what are the most influential things to you that will form your final decision?

“The player coach relationship – how the coaches talk to the players and how the players act towards the coaches. The two schools I named are pretty much the same. They don’t say stuff just to get you there.”

Do you have a timeframe on making a verbal commitment?

“Before my first game of my senior year. I want to relax during my senior year, play football, and have fun. I don’t have to worry about going here or there. I want to work on winning a state championship not recruiting.”

How are things going in the classroom?

“I have a 3.25 GPA and I got a 23 on the ACT.”

Very nice. Have you started thinking about what you want to major in once in college?

“Animal science or something along the lines of being a veterinarian.”

What is your favorite subject in school?

“I’d say science or math. I’m really good at both.”

You mentioned playing baseball earlier, are you playing any other sports for South Warren?

“I was playing three sports but that was too much. I’ve cut out basketball and I’m down to baseball and football.”

What position in baseball do you play?

“Centerfield.”

How are you doing in the box this year?

“I bat second and my average is about .415 or .390. Somewhere in there.”

How many games have you guys played so far?

“I’d say 15 or 16. We’ve lost four or five games.”

Are you getting a lot of chances to knock some runs in at the two-hole or are you getting knocked in scoring a lot of runs at the top of the order?

“Usually our leadoff guy gets on and then I hit a double or something to knock him in and then the guy in the three-hole hits a double or something like that and knocks me in.”

Are you getting some looks in baseball?

“I’ve had some looks. Richland and another school I cannot think of right now. The Toronto Blue Jays were asking about me at one point. That counts!”

Is football your top sport or baseball?

“I would say football but I have been playing baseball longer.”

CJ, what is your favorite part of playing football?

“Winning and the relationship in the locker room. You are building that bond that you will remember for a long time.”

CJ, thanks for your time today and good luck with your recruiting process going forward.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: scout.com; No. 4 CJ Hayes in the open field.

Photo credit: Hayes family; CJ Hayes at Purdue.

Photo credit: Hayes family; CJ Hayes at Toledo.