4-star safety Lagonza Hayward commits to Tennessee

Lyons (Ga.) Toombs County safety Lagonza Hayward exploded onto the scene early in the year, pulling in offers from national powers. Tennessee was the first SEC school to offer the four-star. The Vols had Hayward in Knoxville for a game in November, then offered the No. 100 prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking.

And the Vols never looked back.

“Tennessee just stayed loyal,” Hayward told On3. “Over time, I got to know the coaches, I took some visits up there and things just stayed the same with them. From the time they offered, to now, they recruited me hard, they showed me they wanted me and that loyalty made a big impact on my decision.”

Hayward chose the Vols over Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. He took official visits to each school, but his feeling in Knoxville and around that staff and those players was always different.

“It is about those relationships. I have been up there four times and my connection is different with the people at Tennessee. It is like I am already part of the family. When I was there at 865 Live, I felt like part of the team and I told the staff they don’t have to recruit me anymore.

“How the coaches got to know me, the relationships I built with the people inside the building and how Tennessee never changed the way they recruited me gave me that comfortable feeling that I had nowhere else.”

Official visits had no impact on Hayward or his decision

At different times in June, when Hayward would come off a visit, schools would receive praise from Hayward. He even said a few schools changed his list of favorites and moved to the top, but in the back of his mind, Tennessee was never below any other school.

“I have known I was going to Tennessee for a long time,” Hayward said. “Other schools did a great job, and I enjoyed my visits, but I knew all along where I was going. Tennessee just did a great job early and that got me. Their consistency meant a lot and their belief in me early did too. The visits were nice, but I always had Tennessee on top.”

Hayward is excited about the future in Knoxville

Josh Heupel has brought some excitement to Knoxville in recent years. He had the program ranked No. 1 in the country at one time in 2022, he is bringing in top talent and Hayward feels there is more on the way.

“When all is said and done, we will have a top five recruiting class,” Hayward said. “We going to get a couple of flips, we are going to sign some top targets and we are all working on David Sanders, Jr. When this class is done, it will be one of the best in the nation.”

Hayward believes that will help Tennessee continue to trend in the right direction as a program.

“Coach Heupel is building something great. Tennessee has the offense, we are bringing in more pieces for the defense and we are on a mission to be the best in the country.”

Playing for Heupel and the talent around him excites the new commit, but he may be most excited about his future inside Neyland Stadium.

“There isn’t a fan base better than Tennessee’s. Game day is different there. Before the game, during the game and after the game, the fans and the atmosphere are crazy at Tennessee. They love their team and I can’t wait to play a game in front of the fans.”