In a surprising twist for Tennessee football, four-star safety recruit Lagonza Hayward has announced he is decommitting from the Volunteers. The highly regarded 2025 prospect had previously committed to Tennessee but has now decided to explore other opportunities. Hayward’s decision has sent ripples through the recruiting world, as many considered him to be one of the top defensive prospects in the nation.
The 6’2″, 200-pound safety, known for his exceptional range and ball skills, had been a key target for Tennessee’s coaching staff. His commitment to the Volunteers had been seen as a major win for the program, but it now leaves a hole in Tennessee’s recruiting class as they look to fill out their defensive backfield.
Hayward’s decision to decommit opens the door for other programs to make a push for his talents. Several top-tier programs are expected to make an aggressive push for the four-star safety, with many recruiting analysts predicting a fierce battle for his signature.
For Tennessee, this marks a setback in their recruiting efforts as they now must shift their focus to other targets in the secondary. The Volunteers are expected to continue their recruitment of Hayward, but it remains to be seen where his recruitment will ultimately land.
Fans and analysts alike will be closely watching Hayward’s next move as he weighs his options ahead of the 2025 signing period.
