Hayward has undergone quite a few changes throughout his collegiate career; from changing uniform numbers five times, shifting to six different positions and playing at two universities. What emerged from all of these changes was one of the premier outside linebackers in Division 1-AA.

At Marina High School, Hayward earned all-region honors from PrepStar. The two-time all-league choice posted 90 tackles, 10 stops for losses, six sacks, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions as a senior. That performance earned him an invitation to the Orange County vs. Los Angeles All-Star Game. He would earn MVP honors for the Orange County defense in that contest.

Hayward was clocked at 4.42 seconds in the 40-yard dash while competing for the school's track team. He was awarded team MVP honors after clocking 22.3 seconds in the 200-meters and 49.8 in the 400-meters.

The talented prep star accepted a scholarship offer from Colorado State in 2002. He appeared in seven games as reserve free safety, making most of his impact on special teams. Wearing jersey No. 39, he posted nine tackles (seven solos) and caused one fumble.

In 2003, Hayward started eight contests at strong safety for the Rams, wearing jersey No. 2. He collected 23 tackles (17 solos) with a forced fumble and five pass deflections. Before the San Francisco Bowl meeting against Boston College, Hayward changed uniform numbers (No. 25) and positions, shifting to tailback.

In 2004, the Rams moved Hayward to flanker, where he appeared in just one game against Southern California, making a solo tackle on special teams. He left the school after the season, transferring to Portland State. He played in 11 games as a reserve rush end, wearing jersey No. 20 for the Vikings. He finished his first season at PSU with 19 tackles (10 solos), 1½ sacks, 2½ stops for losses and a forced fumble.

As was his habit each year, Hayward again changed positions and jersey numbers (No. 5), taking over strong-side linebacker duties in 2006. He earned consensus All-American and unanimous All-Big Sky Conference honors. He was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award.

That season, he led the team with 104 tackles (56 solos), 9½ sacks and 16½ stops behind the line of scrimmage. He caused three fumbles and recovered another while also batting down seven passes. In 22 games at Portland State, Hayward started 11 times, making 123 tackles (66 solos) with 11 sacks for minus-73 yards and 19 stops for losses of 85 yards. He caused four fumbles, recovered another and deflected seven passes.

Positives: Shorter than ideal, but a well-muscled athlete with broad shoulders, good chest thickness, developed arms and legs and defined thighs and calves … Shows good hand usage working in-line and exceptional quickness in pursuit … Classic Cover-2 linebacker, but his size issues might make him a better fit at weak-side rather than strong-side … Also has the loose hips and fluid turning motion to possibly return to strong safety at the next level … Shows good explosiveness at the point of attack … Has the speed to chase along the edge and the hip flexibility to mirror tight ends and backs in man coverage … Fierce competitor who needs minimal reps to retain … Makes quick reads and attacks downhill with shoulders squared and maintains proper hand placement to fend off low blocks … Steps up and takes on blockers with hands extended to quickly shed … Has enough strength to shock a lethargic offensive lineman … Uses his hands efficiently to jam the short-area receivers at the line, resulting in a late release for his opponents in attempts to get into their routes … Trails the tight ends and backs as if in their hip pocket, making it easy for him to reach around and deflect the pass … Has the speed to chase down ball carriers along the perimeter … Shows good balance and knee bend, especially when getting through trash, demonstrating the speed to shut down the runner's cutback lanes … Comes out of his stance at a low pad level, sinking his hips properly to wrap and generate pop on contact … Can transition with ease and has the valid foot speed to carry the route runners deep into the secondary … Shows good hip flexibility in his pass drops and is alert to switch-offs in the zone … Has enough closing burst to come out of the deep zone and make plays in front of him … Demonstrates good quickness in his power rush off the edge, possessing the counter moves and strength to run the offensive tackle right back into the pocket … Uses an efficient arm-under move on his blitz to escape.

Negatives: Lacks the size to combat the taller receivers and tight ends for the pass in jump ball situations (has good leaping ability, but his timing is off) … Likes to take on the bigger blockers and will win a few battles, but he would be quicker to make the play if he tries to avoid a few of these opponents rather than engaging them (gets tied up for long periods at times) … Plays better on the move, as he struggles to split double teams … Makes plays in pursuit, but sometimes takes bad angles, especially when trying to string out plays or keep outside run containment … Good to reach around and deflect the pass, but lacks natural hands for the interception, and several of his break-ups could have easily been picks if he knew how to catch outside his frame … Can dip his shoulder and bend the corner, but gets a little reckless in his pursuit at times, lacking stop-and-go action to quickly redirect.

Compares To: Darnell Bing, Oakland Raiders … Depending on the scheme, Hayward could be utilized as a weak-side linebacker in a Cover-2 or possibly return to strong safety to take advantage of his pass drop skills … He won't play strong-side linebacker at the next level, as he lacks size and bulk to split double teams or combat offensive tackles regularly at that position … He will bring instant value as an edge rusher, but with his ability to acclimate to whatever position the coaches move him to during his college days, the pros would be well-advised to limit him to one position, allowing him to gain reps and develop at that spot.

No injuries reported.

Campus: 4.48 in the 40-yard dash … 365-pound bench press … 565-pound squat … Bench pressed 225 pounds 23 times … 4.47 20-yard shuttle … 7.07 three-cone drill … 36-inch vertical jump … 9-foot-10 broad jump.

Attended Marina (Westminster, Calif.) High School, earning earned all-region honors from PrepStar … The two-time all-league choice posted 90 tackles, 10 stops for losses, six sacks, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions as a senior … That performance earned him an invitation to the Orange County vs. Los Angeles All-Star Game. He would earn MVP honors for the Orange County defense in that contest … Was clocked at 4.42 in the 40-yard dash while competing for the school's track team … Was awarded team MVP honors after clocking 22.3 seconds in the 200-meters and 49.8 in the 400 meters.

Business Administration major, earning Academic All-Mountain West Conference honors in 2002 … Son of Pauline and Steven Hayward … Born June 23, 1984 … Resides in Westminster, Calif.