Daelin Hayes

Daelin Hayes's Biography

Daelin Hayes, born on May 16, 1998, is a professional American football player known for his robust skill set as a linebacker. His journey in football has seen him transition from high school football to college football and then to the National Football League (NFL).

Hayes currently sits on the NFL free-agent list after an enriching stint with the Baltimore Ravens and brief association with the San Francisco 49ers. His career took off in his home state of Michigan, where he was born and raised in Belleville, later moving on to an illustrious college football career at the University of Notre Dame.

From an early age, Hayes showed a keen interest in football and began honing his skills at multiple high schools. He started his high school career at St. Mary’s Preparatory in Orchard Lake Village, Michigan. However, to widen his horizons and explore new possibilities, he shifted base to California after his sophomore year and got enrolled at St. Bonaventure High School. Here, he played football for half of a season before returning back home.

On moving back to Michigan, he transferred to Cass Technical High School, located in the heart of Detroit. His high school journey concluded at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan, beginning his senior year.

During his high school years, Hayes was successful in establishing himself as a five-star recruit and drew interest from multiple prestigious college football teams. His initial commitment was made to play college football at the University of Southern California (USC) during his time at St. Mary’s. However, his senior year saw him make a significant switch as he decommitted from USC and chose to play for Notre Dame.

His tenure with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish spanned across five seasons, entering as an early enrollee. After being a part of the rotational scheme of Notre Dame’s defensive line as a freshman, he managed to secure a starting position by his sophomore year. His junior year witnessed him record 31 tackles and two sacks along with a forced fumble. However, a shoulder injury four games into his senior season saw him take a medical redshirt.

Not one to let setbacks dampen his spirits, Hayes made a remarkable return for a fifth season with Notre Dame. His exceptional efforts culminated in 17 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception, and two forced fumbles.

Hayes took his first step towards his professional journey after he was drafted in the fifth round, 171st overall, of the 2021 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens. He officially signed with the Ravens on May 12, 2021. However, misfortune struck as he sustained an ankle injury during the Week 3 game against the Detroit Lions on September 27, 2021. This injury required him to be placed on injured reserve. He was reactivated on December 25, 2021, only to be placed back on injured reserve on January 1, 2022.

Adding to his professional chapter, Hayes was waived/injured by the Ravens and placed on injured reserve on August 30, 2022. He was waived by the Ravens on May 22, 2023. Overcoming these hurdles, Hayes found a new opportunity as he signed with the San Francisco 49ers on August 4, 2023. However, Hayes’ stint with the team was short-lived as he was waived/injured just eight days later.

Despite experiencing highs and lows throughout his football journey, Daelin Hayes continues to chase his dream of succeeding in the NFL. His determination and resilience continue to mold him into a formidable football athlete, making him an intriguing prospect for future NFL seasons.