3-star Hayward sets top 5

Three-star athlete Jaylin Hayward of Tallahassee (Fla.) Godby has ordered his top five as Florida State, Miami, North Carolina, USF and Kentucky.

The Seminoles offered the 5-foot-9, 165-pound Hayward when he was a ninth grader and Hayward's relationship with Jimbo Fisher and the coaching staff is what makes Florida State the leader.

"Florida state has a big lead, simply because of what coach Jimbo has told me," Hayward said. "Not only has he been there as a coach, but as an uncle. Coach Jimbo said I never have to leave Tallahassee. I'll have my family here, and for my mom and dad they've had a hard time getting me through high school, traveling to all these camps - it's been stressful for them. So I don't want them traveling the whole world to see me.

"Any team in Florida would be easy for my parents to see me."

Speaking of schools in Florida, Miami comes in at a distant second but has the potential to close the gap with Florida State. Hayward's best friend, Brendan Loftus recently committed to the Hurricanes.

"All it would take is a phone call," Hayward said when asked what it would take for Miami to close the gap. "Brendan has me thinking about Miami. He said, 'Come join me.' The week he was first talking about (committing to Miami) he said 'You need to go there.' I thought that was cool. It's a very beautiful city and they're in the process of rebuilding. With my best friend going there, it's a lot to take in."

As for the remaining schools in his top five, any has a chance of coming in and taking the lead. Hayward is coming off a knee injury that has sidelined him all of the offseason and into this season. He hopes to be ready to play by Week 3.

"Anyone who gives me a chance to play football," he said. "That's what I'm thankful for and I would want to thank them for giving me an opportunity. And I'll put on a show for them."

Tar Heels assistant Dan Disch is recruiting Hayward for North Carolina.

"He's a good guy," Hayward said. "He wants to see me succeed even if it's not with North Carolina. Even if it's with N.C. State and he hates them. The thing with coach Disch is he'll be there for me years after college football."

USF has been a mainstay in Hayward's recruiting process.

"I've been to their camps for three years in a row," he said. "The guy doing rehab on my knee is going there for practice in the medical field and he's telling me about the area around there. I've never really spent time there (outside of camp), so it's another place I'm considering."

Hayward likes Kentucky because potential to make an impact early and because it's a pleasant change-up from Florida living.

"I was there for their spring game," he said. "They only had six cornerbacks, so there could be an early start for me. I could jump in and get some experience. It feel like home there - the fans, the team, everyone was open arms. It's a beautiful place, different from the city lifestyle but relaxing. Even though it's far away, I would go there. It's nice."

Hayward listed Florida State, USF, Wisconsin, Kentucky and Miami as likely official visit destinations and plans on taking his Miami visit with Loftus.While he isn't sure exactly when he'd like to make his decision, he has set a soft deadline for season's end.

Adam Krohn is a Southeast Region football recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. You can click here to follow him on Twitter.