Top 100 playmaker Shaedy Hayward talks Tennessee commitment
Georgia athlete Lagonza “Shaedy” Hayward decided to spend his birthday on Rocky Top. And to top it off he announced his commitment to Tennessee Saturday afternoon which left him grinning from ear to ear.
Hayward loved everything about Tennessee and while he tried to drum up some interest during June official visits, he always knew where home was.
“They believed in me early on in the process,” he said of his decision. “They took a chance on me when no one else would before the stars and the rankings. Spending time with the people since they offered me, and they were one of the first offers, so of course you’re going to build relationships with people. It was the perfect situation. It fit like a glove. It felt like home from the first time I came down here. You give a boy from the sticks a chance, he will stay loyal to you.”
Hayward loves the Tennessee staff with the defensive side showing him enormous love for his game. They were excited when he told them he was headed to Rocky Top.
“They were happy,” Hayward said of this. “They were on me so long, that it is basically like family, so they knew I was going to commit.”
Defensive coordinator Tim Banks is one of his favorites and knowing what Banks can do in the development department was critical.
“He was on me early,” Hayward said of Banks. “He was the one who offered me when I came to the game day last season. Spending that much time with people and talking to them on a daily basis, you are going to get close with them. Knowing what he brings to the table, his smarts and his scheme to put me into position to make plays, why wouldn’t I want to come here?”
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And then there is head coach Josh Heupel. What he has done in three short seasons on Rocky Top has been eye opening for a player like Hayward.
“He played back in the day, so he has a cimpetive edge to him,”Hayward said of Heupel. “He puts a lot on the defense because of that high-tempo offense they run, so you have to know what you’re doing when you’re playing defense for Tennessee.”
Hayward is now able to spend the rest of the weekend recruiting players like David Sanders, Dasaahn Brame and Daune Morris to get in the class.
“I am definitely fixing to put the pitch on. We are about to have a top five class. (The pitch is) Let’s make our own legacy. Why not bring something back to Tennessee that ain’t been here in a while?”
