Aliquippa sophomore running back Tiqwai Hayes is continuing to see his stock rise after another great season in 2022.
Hayes rushed for 1,981 yards on 224 carries, good for 8.4 yards per carry, and had 33 rushing touchdowns last season. He also had a sensational freshman year in 2021, where he ran for 1,759 yards on 245 carries, 7.2 yards per rush, and 23 rushing touchdowns. Hayes earned honors as he made the Max Preps’ High School Football Freshman All-American Team in 2021.
His hard work on the field helped the Quips to great success in both 2021 and 2022. The Quips are 27-2 in the past two seasons, with two WPIAL 4A Championships and one PIAA 4A State Title in 2021 over Bishop McDevitt. They made it back to PIAA 4A State Title game in a rematch against Bishop McDevitt in 2022, but lost 41-18.
Hayes’ work is now rewarded with multiple schools coming in to get his services. He holds offers from nearby schools like Pitt, Penn State and West Virginia, while also receiving recognition elsewhere with offers from Big Ten schools like Michigan, Michigan State and Maryland, ACC schools like Syracuse and Louisville, as well as Cincinnati and UConn.
He announced what is his most prominent offer to date, with Ohio State now joining the race to sign one of the best players in the Class of 2025.
Hayes visited Ohio State last weekend and met with recruiting assistants with the program. He then sat in on offensive team meeting, met with running backs coach Tony Alford and saw the running backs with him.
Hayes spoke glowingly of Alford and the offensive team meeting, where he learned a great deal about college ball. He and his family spoke with Alford for 30 minutes following a photo shoot, which he appreciated.
“I liked it a lot because I started learning stuff and I knew I could pick up on it easy,” Hayes said about meeting Alford and the running backs. “I could see myself here at Ohio State.”
Hayes then watched the Buckeyes practice and loved the intensity the players brought to it with a hitting drill that created a great team environment. He also really liked the facilities that Ohio State has to offer, which come with proper nutrition and other amenities he expected the program to have.
The Buckeyes first started contact with Hayes back in early 2022. He said that after track and field meet on Jan. 15, the coaching staff texted Quips head coach Mike Warfield that they were interested in his play.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is the one who offered Hayes last Saturday, April 1, much to Hayes’ surprise. Hayes had a good conversation with Day about the offer. Day spoke on the greats that continually play for Ohio State and that only the best of the best get a chance to play in Columbus.
“I was very surprised because knowing a powerhouse of a school like that can offer you that’s always at the top of college football, always ranked high,” Hayes said. “You knowing that’s a higher chance of you getting to the NFL, knowing you could have a good life. That makes you think ahead and surprises you a lot.”
Hayes didn’t get a chance to experience much of the City of Columbus, nor campus life, but came away from his visit greatly impressed with Ohio State.
Aliquippa teammate and four-star junior linebacker Cameron Lindsey also made a trip to Ohio State for a visit. Lindsey didn’t come away with an offer like Hayes did, but he is another great Aliquippa player that the likes of Pitt, Penn State, WVU, Syracuse and others would love to have in their program in the Class of 2024.
Hayes and Lindsey, due to their different positions, spoke to different coaches and participated in various activities on their list that didn’t coincide with each other, despite coming from the same high school.
“We were doing our own thing separately,” Hayes said. “It’s not like a game where you just sit down with your boys and stuff. You gotta individually sort out what you like about the programs. It’s not like wherever he goes, I’m going cause that’s not how it works. We were definitely not together, and we did our own thing.”
This visit of one of just many Hayes will likely make this spring, as he also made the trek out to Penn State last week to view their practice.
Tiffany Adkins helps Hayes out during his visits to make sure he stays on top of his studies and to understand what assignments he needs to work on. Hayes brings his computer with him and connects with his hotspot during those long car rides to complete his work.
Associate head coach Vashawn Patrick also holds Hayes accountable throughout the year. He will work with Hayes if he misses a practice by training with him longer on days he is available, so he is consistently at the top of his game.
Hayes is still working through the recruiting process and considering all his options. He is learning what to look for in each school, meaning that it will take time for him to decide which schools start to stand out from the rest.
Still, Ohio State made a great impression on Hayes, one that he won’t forget.
“I don’t really know because I’m so young,” said on where Ohio State ranks on the schools he’s seen. “You just know like it’s The Ohio State University. Dang, it’s The Ohio State University. Just you being there makes it a lift above other schools, but all schools are the same because they’re all Division I.”
Brandon Banks c/o 24 and 3 star recruit was also invited and attended