Despite being committed to Penn State for over a calendar year, Aliquippa 2025 4-star running back Tiqwai Hayes was a popular recruit.
Reason being is that if you look at the Penn State running back depth chart, it’s filled with a bunch of blue-chip talent. Despite the lure of playing for the Nittany Lions, other programs believed that they had a chance of possibly flipping Hayes by offering him an attractive NIL package along with the legitimate chance to get on the field early.
One of the teams that has reportedly been recruiting Hayes the hardest is Stanford, who presented him with plenty of things to consider. They weren’t the only team and that’s not surprising considering the talent in which Hayes has displayed since his freshman season.
After taking all of this into consideration and with National Signing Day less than a month away, Hayes has made a decision.
The 4-star talent announced this morning on twitter that he’s sticking with his original decision and will be signing with Penn State next month.
“I will be shutting down my recruitment!!! Thanks to all the coaches that have contacted me through this process beyond blessed! WE ARE!”
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Courtesy Tiqwai Hayes
Although I’m not so sure how worried the coaching staff was worried about losing him, it’s good news for Penn State that Hayes has locked himself into their Class of 2025.
It might not be too long before we see a Penn State backfield that consists of two former WPIAL superstars in Hayes and former 4-star Belle Vernon back Quinton Martin.
The 6’1″, 190-pound Hayes is currently ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 8 prospect in Pennsylvania and the No. 20 running back in the Class of 2025. Prior to committing to Terry Smith and Penn State, Hayes received offers from Pitt, Cincinnati, Louisville, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Stanford, Syracuse and West Virginia.
Hayes was Penn State’s first verbal commitment for their Class of 2025 and is one of two running backs in this recruiting class, along with 4-star Jabree Coleman from Philadelphia.
