Preseason Perspective: Taylor Co. OL Hayes Johnson

We’re now less than one month away from the start of another high school football season in the state of Kentucky. Heading into the season, KSR will be interviewing some of the state’s brightest high school football stars, getting to hear their thoughts and perspectives before another exciting year of football across the Commonwealth. We’ve already spoken with Corbin’s Kade Elam, CAL’s Cole Hodge, Frederick Douglass’ Demeco Kennedy, and Raceland’s Logan Lundy. Next up is Taylor County’s Hayes Johnson.

Three-star OL Hayes Johnson hails from Taylor County and is a senior cornerstone of the Taylor County Cardinals. Johnson, who grew up a Kentucky fan, committed to the Wildcats back on January 26th of this year. Johnson picked the ‘Cats over programs such as Michigan State, Tennessee, and Louisville.

When asked what it was about the ‘Cats, Johnson’s response was simple. When it came down to making a decision, he just had to follow his heart.

“For me, I grew up a fan. That was the main thing for me,” Johnson said. “My dad was a massive UK fan. I was at the 2011 game vs. Tennessee when [Kentucky] broke the streak. So, it’s one of the things where it’s like ‘That’s a dream.’ But the coaches really sealed the deal. Coach (Zach) Yenser is just awesome. He’s a great guy. Coach (Mark) Stoops, (Vince) Marrow, and (Liam) Coen are also all great guys. They make you feel like you’re home.”

Being a Kentucky Wildcat has been a lifelong dream for Hayes. Sometimes, he even has to stop and smell the roses. “On my official visit with Drake [Jackson], he said ‘Listen dude. You’re a Kentucky Wildcat right now. It’s time to go to work.’ That hit home, and I get goosebumps just thinking about it.” Jackson, who made 44 consecutive starts on the Kentucky offensive line, returned to Kentucky to join the coaching staff prior to the 2022 season. Jackson, a Kentucky boy himself, helped seal the deal.

Johnson wasn’t the first nor last native Kentuckian to join the Wildcats’ 2024 recruiting class, as OL Aba Selm (Simon Kenton), TE Willie Rodriguez (Covington Catholic), and QB Cutter Boley (Lexington Christian Academy) have joined Johnson to form one of the strongest in-state recruiting classes in the program’s history. Once Boley committed back in May, Johnson and the four-star quarterback knew they had to get on the recruiting trail immediately.

“Obviously when [Boley] committed, the goal was Willie Rodriguez,” Johnson said with a smile on his face. “That was our main concern at the time. However, I’ve been out of recruiting loop lately because once we hit dead period, I basically set a bunch of stuff aside. I was in the woods all day, so I didn’t have any service. But now as football picks back up, I’ve started to pay more attention to it.”

Kentucky OL commit Hayes Johnson (@hjohnson_71) squats 605 lbs. They had to find thinner plates so he could fit more weight on the bar. pic.twitter.com/CBnbpDoUJ4

— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) February 7, 2023

Hayes instantly became a fan favorite amongst the Big Blue Nation back in December 2022 when he famously called into KSR to ask if any listeners needed an overpopulation of geese dealt with. “I was just looking for anybody in the central Kentucky area that has any geese — Canadian geese — we’re big-time hunters for ’em and wondering if anybody wanted some shot and give me a call,” Johnson said on KSR.

Johnson laughed when looking back on the call and detailed the personality that Kentucky fans should expect out of him when he lands on campus next year.

“I’m just a good ol’ Kentucky boy,” Johnson said with a chuckle. “I grew up in the woods hunting. On my knees, I’m eat up with chiggers (tiny mites that live outdoors in grassy or wooded areas near water) from walking in the woods. I’m another one of y’all. I know how much it means to be a part of Big Blue Nation, and that’s been the drive. I know what I wanted out of players that came in in the past, so now that’s on me to hold myself to those standards.”

Johnson himself has enjoyed success that his Taylor County Cardinals have not enjoyed as of late. Last season, Taylor County finished the season at 6-5 after being shut out 37-0 in the first round of the 3A state tournament by Paducah Tilghman. It’s now or never for the 6-foot-3, 295-pound senior.

“This season we’ll have a lot of changes, such as in the coaching staff and the schedule we have on top of that. We have an absolute gauntlet of a schedule. My freshman year, that team went to state semis. I didn’t play any that year, and we haven’t won a district or regional since then. I haven’t won anything in my high school career, so that’s the goal. I told Coach (Scott) Parkey back in March that my one goal is to play one game at Kroger Field before I get there. That’s all I want out of this season.”

The Cardinals will play host to some big-time matchups this upcoming season, hosting 2022 3A runner-up Bardstown and 2022 4A state champion Boyle County at home in Campbellsville. When asked which team he’s most excited to face, Hayes wasted no time in calling out the Rebels of Boyle County.

“You always hear people talking about Boyle County, but let’s show them what the boys an hour down the road can do. We’re older and bigger up front, but our skill guys are younger. If they get that meanness in them, there’s some athletes and freaks back there. I think we can compete with anybody.”

As we’ve done with every player we’ve interviewed for Preseason Perspective so far, we’ve ended with one question; “If we were to pull out a crystal ball and look ahead to December, what’s the perfect end to your season?” Hayes simply responded, “We’re at Kroger Field and I’m laying some kid on their back. That’s the goal.”

Taylor County opens the 2023 season on August 19th on the road at Mercer County.