Waller is physical at the point of attack, he plays under control and his ability to get downhill in hurry allows him to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. He has great instincts and his ability to diagnose plays quickly enables him to shut down plays in a hurry. Waller has the sideline to sideline speed that college coaches covet in a middle linebacker at the next level. The Air Force commit has a college ready frame that will allow him to compete for early playing time when he gets on campus.

Hayden is a true tackling machine at linebacker, built on consistency, effort, and a nose for the football. He’s the type of defender who is constantly around the play, stacking production through his ability to read, react, and finish.

On film, Hayden stands out for his instincts and pursuit. He diagnoses plays quickly and takes efficient angles, allowing him to get to the ball carrier with minimal wasted movement. Whether it’s inside runs or plays bouncing outside, he flows well and arrives under control.

He’s a reliable finisher who wraps up and limits extra yardage, showing strong fundamentals and toughness at the point of contact. His motor runs hot from snap to whistle, which is why he consistently racks up tackles.

Hayden also shows the ability to play downhill with authority, stepping into gaps and meeting runners with physicality. He stays disciplined within the defense and doesn’t overextend, which helps him remain effective play after play.

With 10+ offers, Hayden is gaining traction as a dependable, high-production linebacker who brings consistency, toughness, and a strong presence to the middle of the defense.

p, Hayden continued to make a strong case for why his name is rising in the linebacker group — especially through his work in individual drills and one-on-one competition.

In individual drills, he showed improved footwork and body control. His drops were more disciplined, and he stayed balanced when flipping his hips in coverage responsibilities. He moved with purpose, kept his shoulders square, and demonstrated better leverage when working through agility and reaction-based drills. The details in his stance and initial steps stood out — showing growth in his overall technique.