4-star safety Lagonza Hayward sets commitment date

Lyons (Ga.) Toombs County four-star safety Lagonza Hayward began a crucial June with an official visit to Georgia over the weekend.

He’ll take OVs to USC, Florida and Tennessee across the next three weekends. Those four schools, in addition to South Carolina, Alabama and Florida State, are battling for his commitment — which now has a date.

Hayward tells On3 that he will announce his college decision on Aug. 7, the first day of his senior year of high school.

The Bulldogs took a big swing with the blue-chip defensive back over the weekend and connected, moving up his shortlist and cementing their status as a contender.

“Georgia made a big move,” Hayward said after the OV. “I didn’t really know how Georgia felt about me before the visit, but they showed a lot of love all weekend, they showed me I am wanted and Georgia moved up my list.”

Tennessee has been viewed as the team to beat, with Hayward even saying so last month. The Volunteers have plenty of competition, but will also get him back on Rocky Top later in June.

“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,” Hayward said of the Vols.

“Coach Banks, Coach Martinez, Coach Heupel 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.”

Hayward talks other finalists

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.”