Tae Hayes, Appalachian State, DB: 2019 NFL Draft

Career: Played in 52 games with 33 starts, including 26 to close his career, and totaled nine interceptions, 33 passes defended, 135 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two blocked kicks … All-Sun Belt recognition as a junior and senior … In his four seasons, App State’s 73 interceptions tied San Diego State for the national lead in that span of time.
 
2018: Started all 13 games at cornerback and recorded four interceptions, 44 tackles, seven pass breakups, two blocked field goals and 3.0 tackles for loss … Second-team All-Sun Belt from PFF College and third-team All-Sun Belt from the conference … Led Sun Belt cornerbacks with a 44.1 passer rating allowed and tied for fourth with 11 passes defended … Helped App State tie for No. 1 nationally with only eight passing touchdowns allowed. Defense also ranked No. 4 in scoring defense, No. 5 in passing yards allowed, No. 5 in fewest yards per pass attempt and No. 3 in pass efficiency defense …  Key player in defense that ranked No. 1 nationally by allowing only 10 offensive plays of 30-plus yards and tied for No. 1 by allowing just one play of 50-plus yards … Had a 27-yard interception return to set up a first-half touchdown in the New Orleans Bowl win against Middle Tennessee … In the Sun Belt Championship Game, posted a career-high nine tackles and had a 32-yard interception return with App State clinging to a 20-16 lead early in the fourth quarter … Had a 19-yard interception return to the Arkansas State 3 to set up a touchdown that gave App State a 21-9 lead late in the first half of a 35-9 road win … Intercepted a pass against South Alabama and also blocked a field goal attempt … Other blocked field goal occurred against Coastal Carolina with App State holding a 14-7 lead in the third quarter … Recorded two tackles for loss at Texas State … Preseason All-Sun Belt second team from the league’s coaches and media … Named to the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.

2017: Started all 13 games at cornerback, earning All-Sun Belt first-team honors from the PFF College Football Site and second-team honors from the league … Had four interceptions (tied for fourth in Sun Belt, 29th nationally) and 16 passes defended (tied for second in Sun Belt, 18th nationally) to go along with 53 tackles (fourth on team), 1.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss and one forced fumble … Matched the school record with three picks in a 45-31 win vs. New Mexico State. Hayes and Clifton Duck, who accounted for the other three of App State’s six picks, tied Mark LeGree (2008 against Wofford) and Larry McKenzie (1973 against Davidson) … Named to The Athletic’s All-Group of Five Midseason Team … Also had an interception at UMass, and a 48-yard TD return was erased by an away-from-the-play penalty … Had a season-high eight tackles and half a sack at Texas State … Had a sack and forced fumble vs. Coastal Carolina.

2016: Appeared in all 13 games … Matched his single-game high with five tackles at Louisiana, four of them solo … Of his 18 total tackles, 13 were solo … Recorded a pass breakup in the home opener against Old Dominion.

2015: Appeared in all 13 games and started seven at cornerback … Was the only true freshman to make a start for the Mountaineers on offense or defense … Finished third on the team with five passes defended … Tied for third on the squad with two takeaways (INT and fumble recovery) … Fifteen of his 20 tackles were solo … Made first career start in 49-0 win at ODU (Sept. 26) … Went on to make starts against Georgia State (Oct. 10), ULM (Oct. 17), Troy (Oct. 31), Arkansas State (Nov. 5), Idaho (Nov. 14) and Louisiana (Nov. 28) … Had two tackles and a fumble recovery in league-opening victory at Georgia State …  Turned in the finest performance of his young career with five tackles (four solo) and an interception that he returned 18 yards to set up a short App State touchdown drive in the Mountaineers’ triple-overtime victory over Troy … Recorded three tackles and two pass breakups against Arkansas State … Had three more stops at Idaho … Notched three tackles, including one for a 7-yard loss, in his home state of Alabama to help lead a win over Ohio in the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl.

High School: Rated a two-star prospect by Rivals.com and 247Sports … Named second-team all-state, second-team All-Tennessee Valley and first-team all-area as a senior … Was an impact player on offense, defense and special teams … Earned most recognition for his defensive exploits, which included 60 tackles and three interceptions as a senior … Gained more than 300 yards as a receiver, kickoff and punt returner and on interception returns as a senior … Helped lead Decatur H.S. to a 10-4 overall record and berth in the Alabama 6-A state semifinals as a senior in 2014 … Coached by Jere Adcock … Captained Alabama’s team in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic.

Personal: Full name is Ke’Montoe Tayvon Hayes … Born Aug. 19, 1997 … Son of LaKise Nicole Hayes … Has a twin brother, Ke’Vontae.

The Mountaineers featured a dynamic pair of cornerbacks over the last two seasons. Clifton Duck and Tae Hayes combined for 15 interceptions over that span and have proven to be NFL worthy prospects.

Hayes made his impact instantly when arriving at Appalachian State playing all 13 games as a true freshman and starting seven. He would eventually establish and durability and identity in the secondary for the Mountaineers. Hayes was part of a unit that tied San Diego for the most interceptions (73) over the last four seasons.

A physical well-built defensive back who plays hard. His toughness and aggressive style of play are one of the hallmarks that NFL scouts love about his overall abilities. Hayes is a tough aggressive jam press corner. Uses hands well to jam and has shown the ability to excel in both zone and man coverage. His senior season featured of the latter compared to more zone his junior year.

Supports the run quickly and good open-field tackler. He shows a burst out of his breaks, displaying nice balls skills and can open his hips and run with receivers. Hayes is a natural athlete and student of the game.

Feel Hayes can develop into a solid No. 3 cornerback and contribute in nickel situations and even help at safety in a pinch. A solid late-round selection who should emerge throughout the dog days of summer training camp to impose his game of coaches at the next level.

Would be surprised if Hayes is not on an NFL roster after September cuts.