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 Prep Star. 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 CSU 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), 1.5 sacks, 2.5 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), 9.5 sacks and 16.5 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 … 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.

For his entire collegiate career, Hayward started 19 of 38 games, finishing with 156 tackles (91 solos), 11 sacks for minus-73 yards and 19 stops for losses of 85 yards … He had a pair of quarterback pressures, 12 pass deflections, six forced fumbles and a fumble recovery … Became the first Portland State Player to be named Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year (2006) … His 9.5 sacks in 2006 rank fourth on the school's single-season record list, topped only by Brent Price (13 in 1975) and Anthony Spears (16.5 in 1987 and 13 in 1988) … His 16.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage rank ninth on PSU's annual record chart and were the most since Mike McCarthy totaled 19 for losses in 1997 … Hayward's 104 tackles in 2006 are the most by a Viking since Tino Retamoza had 105 in 1999.

Consensus All-American first-team selection, adding All-Big Sky Conference first-team honors, in addition to becoming the first PSU player to earn Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year honors … Finished fourth in the voting for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player in the NCAA Division 1-AA ranks … Changed to jersey #5 and also switched positions, starting all year at strong-side outside linebacker … Led the team with a career-high 104 tackles (56 solos) and also paced the Vikings with 9.5 sacks for minus 71 yards and 16.5 stops for losses of 81 yards … Caused three fumbles and recovered another … Also deflected seven passes.

New Mexico … In his first start as a Viking, Hayward received National Player of the Week honors after he collected eleven tackles (9 solos) with four sacks for minus 30 yards and a forced fumble … His four sacks tied a school game-record, first set by Fred Nordgren vs. Delaware State in 1980 … Sacked QB Kole McCamey for a 3-yard loss in the second quarter and with 2:08 left in the first half, he again sacked McCamey for minus 14 yards, causing a fumble on the play … On New Mexico's final series, Hawyard sacked McCamey for a 6-yard loss and four plays later, he took the QB down for minus 7 yards.

Northern Colorado … Assisted on a stop behind the line of scrimmage and posted fourteen tackles (8 solos).

California … Added seven tackles (4 solos), assisting in stopping tailback Marshawn Lynch for a 1-yard loss in the first quarter and later tackled tailback Justin Forsett for a 2-yard loss at the start of the second half.

Weber State … Made six tackles (4 solos), including one that stopped QB Shawn Woods for a 1-yard loss and caused a fumble when he chased down fullback Marcus Mailei on a 31-yard run to strip the opponent from the ball at the PSU 34 late in the first quarter.

Montana … Had ten tackles with a pair of stops behind the line of scrimmage and two pass deflections … Tackled Reggie Bradshaw for a 1-yard loss on a third-&-1 pitchout early in the first quarter … Recovered a fumble by punt returner Tuff Harris at the UM 42 late in the opening frame.

Montana State … Followed with eleven tackles (4 solos), a pass deflection and 1.5 stops for losses … Also deflected a third-&-6 pass thrown by Cory Carpenter in the second quarter, forcing MSU to punt.

Idaho State … Had ten tackles (7 solos) with two deflected passes and took down Josh Barnett for a 2-yard loss on a fourth-&-1 run midway through the third quarter.

Eastern Washington … Registered seven tackles (5 solos) with 2.5 sacks for minus 20 yards … Teamed with D.J. Robinson to sack QB Matt Nichols for a 7-yard loss on third-&-7 on the game's third play from scrimmage … With 1:15 left in the game, Hayward sacked QB Chris Peerboom for a 10-yard loss at the PSU 19 and three plays later on third-&-35, he again sacked Peerboom for minus 7 yards to end the game.

Oregon … Posted seven tackles with a pressure and a pass deflection.

Northern Arizona … Produced eleven tackles (7 solos) and caused a fumble.

Sacramento State … Closed out his career with ten tackles (5 solos), a forced fumble, three sacks for minus 21 yards and 3.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage … Sacked QB Marcel Marquez for a 6-yard loss on third-&-13 with 8:02 left to play … As the clocked clicked down to 1:15 remaining, Hayward sacked Marquez for a 7-yard loss and two plays later on fourth-&-9, he again sacked Marquez for an 8-yard loss, causing a fumble that Portland State recovered to run out the clock for a 13-7 victory.

Transferred to Portland State after playing two seasons at Colorado State … Appealed to the NCAA and received an additional year of eligibility … Played in eleven games as a reserve Rush defensive end … Finished with nineteen tackles (10 solos), 1.5 sacks for minus 2 yards, 2.5 stops for minus 4 yards and a quarterback pressure … Also caused a fumble … Wore jersey #20.

Had two solo stops vs. Sacramento State … Caused a fumble when he sacked QB Erik Meyer for a 2-yard loss, adding three tackles (2 solos) vs. Eastern Washington … Posted six tackles (3 solos) and assisted on a pair of stops behind the line of scrimmage vs. Boise State … Assisted on a sack and made two tackles vs. Idaho State.

Appeared briefly in just one game at Colorado State … Shifted to flanker, wearing jersey No. 25 … Recorded a solo tackle on special teams vs. Southern California.

Started eight games at strong safety for Colorado State, wearing jersey #2 … Switch to tailback and changed to jersey #25 for the San Francisco Bowl clash vs. Boston College … Finished with 23 tackles (17 solos), a forced fumble and five pass deflections.

Batted away two passes and made two solo hits vs. California … Added five tackles (4 solos) with a pass break-up vs. Weber State and produced four solo stops in the Fresno State clash … Collected five tackles (4 solos) and caused a fumble when he stripped the ball from receiver Jovon Bouknight at the CSU 13 after a 21-yard catch at the start of the second quarter vs. Wyoming.

Academic All-Mountain West Conference selection … Reserve free safety, seeing action in seven games, mostly on special teams for the CSU Rams … Recorded nine tackles (7 solos) and caused a fumble … Posted a season-high four tackles vs. San Diego State.

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 … 9'10" broad jump.

Attended Marina (Westminster, Cal.) High School, earning earned All-Region honors from Prep Star … 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 6/23/84 … Resides in Westminster, California.