The 6-1, 200 pound prospect is the 82nd ranked player in the 2025 class, according to 247Sports. He’s the sixth-ranked safety in the cycle and the 11th-ranked player in the loaded state of Georgia.

Playing for Toombs County as a junior last season, Hayward played on both sides of the ball. He ended up with three picks on the year along with 48 tackles and three tackles for loss. Hayward added 700 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball.

Hayward is another prospect coming off of an official visit back on June 21st. Tennessee received that final official, following his looks at South Carolina, Florida and Georgia. Just over a month later, with Hayward in town once again, the Volunteers have wrapped this one up.

Hayward joins a handful of defensive backs already in Tennessee’s 2025 class. The Vols hold commitments from three-star cornerback Tre Poteat, three-star cornerback Dylan Lewis, three-star cornerback Tyler Redmond and three-star safety Sidney Walton. Hayward is the second big defensive pick-up over the last seven days, joining four-star linebacker Christian Gass.

Tennessee’s class now ranks inside of the top ten, per 247Sports.