4-star safety Lagonza Hayward names top 7 schools

Lyons (Ga.) Toombs County four-star safety Lagonza Hayward is down to seven schools in his recruitment, he announced on Tuesday.

Among the remaining contenders are: Tennessee, Florida State, Florida, USC, Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder has official visits already locked in with Florida State (May 31), USC (June 7), Florida (June 14) and Tennessee (June 21). He’s also considering one to South Carolina as well, he told On3’s Chad Simmons last month.

But one school is currently sitting atop his list with a late-summer decision expected.

“Tennessee is definitely No. 1 for me,” Hayward told Simmons. “The way they went about recruiting me from the beginning means a lot. They believed in me early. Tennessee offered me before the stars, so they have been heavy with me from the jump.

“Coach Banks, Coach Martinez, Coach Heuepel and almost the whole staff recruits me. They have never let up. From the first time I visited Tennessee, I felt it could be the place I want to be at. The people are great and the atmosphere is electrifying.”

When Hayward makes his decision, relationships are key, but there is more to it than that.

“I have to love the school. Coaches come and go, so I want to be at a school I love and play for an overall program that can develop me and help me reach my full potential.”

Hayward talks Florida, Florida State, South Carolina and USC

The No. 113 prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking also broke down some of the top schools with Simmons in an interview last month.

Florida: ” I have been talking to Florida more lately. Me and Coach Armstrong talk a good bit and I am thinking about getting down there. I haven’t really given Florida a chance, so I am looking at them more now.”

Florida State: “I have taken two visits to Florida State and I love the energy the coaches have. IOt is through the roof. They coach hard, they push their players and I like Florida State a lot too. Coach Surtain is a great coach who knows what it takes to get to the NFL. He played there, his son is there now and I know he could help me.”

South Carolina: “They will definitely get an official visit. Since I was there recently, South Carolina moved into my top four with Tennessee, Florida State and USC. I love the strength and conditioning program, what Coach Beamer is doing with the program and how smart the coaches are.”

USC: “I just need to get out to USC. The USC legacy has my attention. They have history, tradition and a lot of great players have played there. I like the coaches, so I just need to take the visit.”