Hayes measures in at 6’5 220-pounds and is an athletic OT. He has good acceleration and speed to excel when run blocking on the move or out in space. Very good initial quickness out of his stance with very good hand speed. An aggressive initial punch, locking onto the DL not letting go. Maintains a low pad level throughout with his good knee bend. Very good strength, hand strength, and hand placement. Hayes demonstrates controlled footwork with very good body control. He has good speed from combo blocks to single blocks, creating running lanes for his back. Hayes also has a stout anchor stopping edge rushers from attacking his QB. I believe he is a perfect breakout candidate and will up boards with a standout camp season.

Hayes brings a balanced skill set to the tackle position, combining agility with strength to impact both phases of the game. He shows the ability to set the edge effectively in the run game, using his leverage and power to drive defenders out of the hole and create space for ball carriers. His physicality at the point of attack stands out, as he consistently works to finish plays. In pass protection, Hayes demonstrates solid technique, his footwork is solid and he is able to stay in front of quicker edge rushers. His footwork allows him to mirror defenders and once he establishes hand placement, he is able to slow their momentum. Hayes displays the traits of a well rounded tackle with the ability to continue developing. With increased exposure and continued refinement, he is a prospect trending upward in the 2027 class.