2017 WR talks Tennessee, Louisville visits
Class of 2017 Bowling Green (Ky.) South Warren wide receiver C.J. Hayes calls the Bluegrass State home now, but spent most of his life in the state of Tennessee. So when the Tennessee Volunteers invited him to campus for a visit earlier this season, the 6-foot-2, 185-pound prospect was thrilled.
"It was really fun," said Hayes, who has been to Rocky Top for two games this season. "It's like a really big family there. They had been in touch with my dad and sending me mail and I was just excited to get up there and see it."
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While on campus Hayes said he got a chance to talk to several Volunteers coaches and they gave him a window into how he could be used in the future.
"They were all telling me to watch Marquez North and Josh Malone," Hayes said. "I liked the way they get them ball. They try to get them the ball deep down the field and let them go get it and that's what I like to do."
In addition to his trips to Tennessee, Hayes was also on campus at Louisville earlier this year for the Cardinals game against N.C. State.
"They are really close to home and I enjoyed it up there," Hayes said. "Everyone seemed to know everyone. My dad knew a lot of people even though I didn't, but the coaches were cool and they treated me like I was one of their own kids."
Just like at Tennessee, the Louisville coaches pointed to their star receiver as an example of what Hayes could become.
"They told me to watch Devante Parker and see how he played," Hayes said. "He was coming back from an injury and played well."
Hayes has played a key part in South Warren's 11-0 season, recording 15 catches for 300 yards and four touchdowns through the team's first 10 games.