Interview: Michigan 5-Star LB Daelin Hayes Breaks Down Commitment to Notre Dame

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

A world full of potential lays ahead for Ann Arbor 2016 linebacker Daelin Hayes. The 6’3.5”, 240 pound, athlete has been a terror on the field when outside influences or unfortunate injuries have not allowed him to display his wide array of talents. His physical and mental blessing have led recruiting services to rank him as a 5-star or 4-star player despite being limited to under a handful of games over the past two seasons; that’s just how dominating a player he is once the pads are on.

Hayes has bounced back-and-forth from Michigan to California and back to Michigan during his high school career playing for Skyline High School to close out his senior campaign. Hayes senior season was cut short after a torn labrum injury that required surgery limited him to three games. Midway through his senior campaign a sure thing was disrupted when trouble kept under wraps on the USC staff was made public. Head coach Steve Sarkisian was fired after reportedly showing up for work still under the influence of alcohol. Hayes decommitted opening up a world of opportunity for some other Division-I football program.

Colleges big and small have all extended offers. Hayes had his choice of programs like Akron and Western Michigan along with some heavy hitters like UCLA, Michigan, LSU, Georgia, Arizona State, Alabama, Mississippi State, and Tennessee. In the end, Hayes narrowed down his list of schools to Ohio State, Michigan State, and Notre Dame with the Fighting Irish getting the nod on Thursday.

Hayes’ commitment was epic releasing a video via the Bleacher Report. In the video, Hayes runs through Detroit as the “Legendary Dark Knight” with five minutes on the clock to save one of three schools, Ohio State, Michigan State, or Notre Dame. Running past billboards for the Spartans and the Buckeyes, Hayes arrives at the Fighting Irish billboard letting fans know “God, country, Notre Dame” in a voiceover then turns to the camera making the announcement official stating, “Go Irish.”

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Daelin after the video announcement went viral to get the background story on his commitment to Notre Dame and an update on his injured shoulder.

Interview

Daelin, first, congratulations on your commitment to Notre Dame.

“Thank you.”

I’m sure today has been a crazy day for you, so I’ll get right to it. What influenced you to commit to Notre Dame over all the other schools that have offered you?

“It was just the relationship I built with the Notre Dame coaching staff over the last two – two and a half years. Even when I was committed to USC we maintained a relationship. Things did not work out with USC. For me to be on my own out there and with the coaching change, I ended up de-committing. I narrowed down my top schools to Ohio State, Michigan State, and Notre Dame. I took football out of the equation and Notre Dame was a no-brainer. I will be setup after life after football with a degree from Notre Dame.”

How did the commitment take place?

“I released my announcement video on my Twitter page. It has gone viral!”

Did the Notre Dame coaches know you were committing before the video went out?

“They knew the night before.”

When you committed who did you commit to?

“I committed to Coach (Brian) Kelly (head coach), Coach (Keith) Gilmore (defensive line coach), and Coach (Mike) Elston (linebackers coach) during an in-home visit.”

What was the reaction of the coaches?

“They were excited. Obviously to finally get my decision and now I’m officially part of the class.”

Is there a sense of relief, that to some extent, your recruiting process is over?

“Yeah, yeah, a huge relief. I can focus on getting ready now.”

Do you plan on recruiting other players to join you?

“I definitely have a few guys in mind for sure.”

Can you name them?

“Donnie Corley (WR – Detroit Martin Luther King) and Demetris Robertson (ATH – Savannah Christian Prep, Savannah, GA), I have my eyes on them right now.”

What are you planning on working on to get ready for football at Notre Dame before you head off to campus?

“College is a whole different game. I’m going to work on my technique and get into the best shape that I can be in physically so I’m ready to take that college toll. I have to work on all the technical stuff and let the coaches do their thing and be coachable.”

How did your senior year go?

“It went good but I hurt shoulder in Week 4. I only played in three games. I was broke up about it. But now I’m focusing on my body and getting ready.”

How badly did you hurt your shoulder?

“I tore my labrum. I had to have surgery but I’m good now.”

Will you be an early enrollee at Notre Dame?

“Yes. I graduated two weeks ago and I’m ready to go.”

Daelin, thanks for your time today. Congratulations on your commitment to Notre Dame and good luck with your college career.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: blueandgold.com; Daelin Hayes.

Photo credit: Cleveland.com; Daelin Hayes on the Skyline sidelines.