Notes:
Also competed in basketball and track and field as a Georgia prep in addition to playing quarterback, defensive back and kick returner. Played all 13 games as a true freshman in 2008 and was credited with eight tackles, three pass breakups and zero interceptions with one forced fumble. Started all 24 games the next two seasons — logged 58-7-2 with 8 1⁄2 tackles for loss in ’09 and 70-11-6 with two tackles for loss and one forced fumble in ’10. In ‘11, led the team in pass breakups and interceptions after tallying 62-10-7 with 7 1⁄2 tackles for loss in 13 starts. Team captain.
Positives:
Good size. Quick feet and flexible hip swivel. Keen eyes, instincts and anticipation. Is aware in zone and maintains field leverage. Excellent ball skills and production. Tracks throws, competes in the air and has hands to intercept. Very good closing burst. Bested all Combine CB participants with time of 3.90 seconds in short shuttle. Has special-teams experience as a jammer. Energetic, smart and durable.
Negatives:
Short arms. Speed and physicality are just adequate. Has some man-cover limitations — plays upright, shows some wasted movement in transition and gives up separation on non-vertical routes. Stressed by sudden receivers. Gets caught peeking in the backfield and bites on double moves. Average recovery burst and catch-up speed. Soft in run support — plays small, struggles to break down and is a weak, low tackler.
Summary:
A lean, instinctive, battle-tested ballhawk, Hayward is a finesse, zone corner at his best reading through the receiver to the quarterback. Tackling is main drawback, but has appealing ball skills to hold down a job as a No. 3.
