Dayon Hayes announced he would return to Pitt a couple of times since the end of last season, but his next announcement will likely be a goodbye.
Hayes — a 6-foot-5, 260-pound senior from Westinghouse in Pittsburgh — is entering the transfer portal when it opens at Midnight on Tuesday, he told On3. It’s a brutal loss for a Pitt defensive line room that is already young and experienced, but it’s just the latest trend in a college football landscape centered around NIL and the transfer portal.
Hayes will have one season of eligibility remaining.
Hayes first announced his intentions to return to Pitt after a standout performance against Boston College in November.
He finished the night with six tackles (five solo), three tackles for loss, two sacks, two pass breakups and a quarterback hit — and it might just be the launchpad he needed for one more season. And then he announced on X (formerly known as Twitter) in December that he would be returning once again.
Hayes finished the 2023 season with 45 tackles (25 solo), 10.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, a forced fumble, four pass breakups and a lot of pressures, hurries and quarterback hits despite the relatively low sack totals. Hayes was better than his individual statistics indicated last season, but he will attempt to realize that full potential elsewhere.
He finishes his Pitt career with 81 tackles (45 solo), 26.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, three forced fumbles and five pass breakups.
Pitt revamped the defensive line room over the winter, adding Nate Matlack and David Ojiegbe, but it’s still a very inexperienced unit that features Jimmy Scott, Bam Brima, Sincere Edwards, Antonio Camon, Zach Crothers Maverick Gracio.
Pitt will likely need to readdress defensive end in the transfer portal now.
Perfect example of why Charlie P. is no longer coaching college football players.
Big time loss for the defense! Maybe Duzz can get him to change his mind?
One year of cash, he will lose money in the long run. These moves often end up reducing g NFL draft stock in the long run.
Also, he lied to Pitt nation about returning. Liar.
It will be interesting to see where he winds up.
I think this transfer portal and NIL is a good idea. But, if they don’t have a window for it they should. Make the window for a month. In February. After that you’re a hostage.
Some order is needed.
Is it possible he did something and was asked to move along? Guess we will never know.
Yes
Volunteers not hostages…Best of luck D Hayes. Thanks for your efforts!
Didn’t Nardog stand by this guy after an arrest? Is that right?
Yes He did.. I believe Nardog said he made Hayes run extra sprints but didn’t suspend him
Is A412 going to get a refund on the NIL they threw at him this winter?
The nil system is clearly in need of structure, but this guy was never the player he was advertised to be.
probably wants to go to PSU but they are loaded
PSU was blown out by OSU and Michigan. Mississippi could have scored 100 points on them in the bowl game. Your definition of loaded is skewed when you think a 3 loss team is great. The pompous ass who coaches them is incapable or winning a big game, too. I love that you are the die hard PSU guy commenting here for no reason. Got to love it.
Dayon Hayes should just change his name to Jaylen Twyman, Jr. 😂
It’s like these guys have the Donner Party giving them directions.
College football was my second favorite activity and they have ruined it. Ruined it