Hayden was a tone-setting LB that displayed all of the traits you hope to see from a true off-ball backer. When I watched him last season, he carried the defense with confidence, and displayed tremendous football IQ. Making sure everyone was lined up, making calls and diagnosing plays and getting to the point of attack. He showed that he could get physical and play in the box, or drop back and play the pass and cut off passing lanes. One of the top pure LB’s in the area, huge incoming season for Hayden.

Hayden is one of the best LBs I have scouted this season. He’s a natural fit at the position, and he possesses the physical tools as well as the football IQ to be effective on every play. He delivered some big hits and was able to spoil some plays before they ever really took off. Below are a few traits I noticed right away.

-Great reaction time. Reads plays quickly and is decisive and confident in his reads. Gets to his position and has the awareness to know exactly what the offense is trying to do.

-Brings physicality to every play. Lowers the shoulder and delivers punishing hits and sets the tone for his team.

-Versatile LB that’s able to come up and play physical in the box or drop back into coverage. His ability to adapt to offensive schemes makes him a standout playmaker for this defense.

A very promising highlight tape from this off-ball linebacker!

Throughout the entire tape, Hayden does a great job of stopping the run. 0:51 shows pretty quick reaction, and a great job absorbing a block and stopping the running back in his tracks. A couple of other common themes are Hayden’s ability to shed blocks and not allowing the ballcarrier any extra yards. Hayden has the IQ to read the play, the technique to dip under blocks, and the physicality to hit as hard as he can. Even when he’s flat-footed with a running back barreling toward him, he’s able to anchor down and deliver a hit.

Good stuff! If Hayden shows improvement next season (a step faster off the ball, better athlete, stronger), Hayden could be a very good college prospect come next offseason.