The news that Dayon Hayes was hitting the transfer portal caught Pitt fans by surprise Monday, and the surprise didn’t stop there.
In a report published by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Christopher Carter, Hayes said that he didn’t believe Pitt could win games. He continued by saying that the Panthers are in a development phase, which isn’t what he wanted.
Carter further reported that Alliance 412, the preferred NIL collective, had previously signed Hayes to one of the largest NIL deals on the roster.
Hayes posted an apology on X (formerly known as Twitter) to Pat Narduzzi, his teammates and the University of Pittsburgh.
“Apologies to Coach Narduzzi, my teammates and Pitt. I fully understand what’s going on around the media and I want to say that despite what is being said I do have a lot of faith in this team and believe in everything they have to offer. They made me the player I am today, I started with Pittsburgh and I will always be a homer. But this is a business and I think my time here has come to an end. My future will remain in gods hands. So please respect my choices and as always #H2P”
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 — putting in his best performance of the season in the final game at Acrisure Stadium. And then he announced on X (formerly known as Twitter) in December that he would return again.
But while he’s yet to officially hit the transfer portal, Hayes — barring unforeseen events — will not be returning to Pitt.
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.
College sports is dead to me now ,if I want to follow this crap I’ll just watch pro sports, what’s the point in caring anymore
They’ve ruined every institution in America including the 2 big college sports.
Good riddance
I have heard over and over that he is much better than his numbers indicated. However, players are evaluated by their numbers. He has never become the elite player everyone wanted him to be.
I hope he gets a lot of money in NIL, because I have serious doubts about him making it in the NFL – and he must too.
H2P!!!
I don’t really buy it, either. Reminds me of that Moneyball quote “If he’s a good hitter, why doesn’t he hit good?” Likewise, if he’s really better than his numbers indicate, why didn’t he have better numbers in the first place?
His one sentence said it best “This is a business”. So much for college athletics.
I agree, it is a business. But in business when you sign a contract (NIL) you have to fulfill it or you get sued. That’s a part of “business” that is missing.
It is a business. You have teams flying coast to coast to play in conference games so the colleges can get a bigger pay check from the tv networks.
i never dump on the team or players but in this case what a _ick move… no loyalty…wish him nothing
He didn’t really apologize. He originally posted the text exchange with the writer that showed he was upset with him for posting what he texted to the writer.
So, he said what he said. So the apology means nothing. He then deleted the screenshot of the texts and is getting roasted on Twitter.
He posted H2P 7 or 8 times on Saturday and Sunday. Then he decides to transfer and says it’s because of the offense on Monday? Something’s up.
In the past when stuff like this happened we were always told not to bash the kids leaving and whatnot. But as Hayes says, “it’s a business.” So if there’s no loyalty coming from the kid, it’s not coming from me either. Good riddance dude. You had a team and coach that supported you through thick and thin. But it’s a business so go get your NIL money and I hope to never hear your name mentioned again.
Good ridden. This guy is not loyal and not as good as he thinks he is. Also not too bright, in my opinion. H2P.
Westinghouse. Says it all.
It is a business. The schools have these players flying coast to coast for games. They are football players first, students second. The schools are getting their money so let him get his…. He hasn’t lived up to the hype but he would still be their best DL this year
Hey man. Been a while. Are you still a pathetic, piece of.. oh. Yes, yes you are.
Wasn’t this POS arrested or charged with something stupid as young kids do sometimes? Coaches stuck by him and shown a lot of love, more than he deserves. He then goes and does this d$$k move. Makes me think SOMETHING happened again, and he wanted more $$$, and Pitt said, “Don’t let the door hit ya where the Lord split ya. Bye 👋. We want volunteers, not hostages or MESANARIES, to the NIL dollar. H2P…..
he just had to work out extra hard for a day…good job Duzz
what’s a mesanarie?
Never came close to what his potential was supposed to be,needs to transfer to a smaller conference definitely not SEC because he will be a bench warmer
How about Gannon or IUP !
Nothing to see here. We move forward. H2P.
Low talent and no class. Go figure, city league t r a s h/
Dude. Remember in high school when everyone called you a loser. You would cry and cry. I always supported you, even though you are a loser.
To all starters and contributors who transfer out: forget you.
Big mistake on his part, but so be it.
Boo Hoo. 😢
In college and doesn’t understand that words mean thangs.
Money has ruined college sports. What a shame.
So many of these modern woke bums stink. Take for example all the modern day losers that sit out bowl games and crap on teammates so they don’t get a scratch for the NFL draft. Kenny Pickett sat out an extremely winnable bowl game so he could be a backup Quarterback in Philadelphia. The heads are extremely over inflated. 😂
Get over yourselves and be there for your teammates. Reject modernity!
LOL that has nothing to do with being “woke” Dude just has zero loyalty or class. It’s that simple.
Ask Matt corral how smart it is to play in that very winnable bowl game. Also kenny was a first round draft pick. I bet if you ask him, he made the right decision skipping that meaningless bowl game(from his perspective).