2025 RB Tiqwai Hayes commits to Penn State

Aliquippa (Pa.) three-star running back Tiqwai Hayes has committed to Penn State.

He chose the Nittany Lions while holding offers from the likes of Ohio State, Michigan, West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Louisville.

Hayes is the No. 349 overall prospect and No. 29 running back in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 10 player in Pennsylvania.

For more Penn State recruiting intel, check out BWI.

Hayes was in Happy Valley over the weekend to watch Penn State take on Iowa. It was at least his 10th trip to see the Nittany Lions and was also his second game visit. Assistant coaches Terry Smith and Ja’Juan Seider have led Penn State’s recruitment.

“The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Hayes has been incredibly productive during his career at Aliquippa,” wrote BWI’s Sean Fitz. “An all-state selection for the second time as a sophomore in 2022, Hayes ran for 1,981 yards and scored 33 touchdowns on the ground for the Quips, who finished 13-1 and fell in the Class 4A state finals to Bishop McDevitt. He was the Class 4A state Player of the Year as a freshman after running for 1,746 yards and 23 touchdowns. The Quips won a state title his freshman season in 2021.”

Hayes does not currently have an On3 NIL Valuation. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.

Nittany Lions bolstering 2025 class early

Hayes is the second 2025 pledge in as many days for James Franklin and Co. On Sunday, Jersey City (N.J.) Henry Snyder four-star linebacker DJ McClary pledged, choosing the Nittany Lions over the likes of Michigan, Ohio State and Oregon.

McClary is the No. 109 overall prospect and No. 10 linebacker in the cycle and now headlines the quartet of commits. Like Hayes, McClary was also at Penn State for the White Out over the weekend.

Beebe (Ark.) The Woodlands four-star running back Kiandrea Barker and Newark (N.J.) Malcolm X Shabazz three-star safety Omari Gaines round out the current pledges. Penn State’s 2025 class is already in the top 10 in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking.