It was always the SEC for Lagonza Hayward. It was just a matter of where.
The Peach State star out of Lyons (Ga.) Toombs County considered many programs on the traditional SEC East side of the coin before committing to Tennessee back in July. He backed off of the Vols to kick off the month of December and the battle between in-state Georgia and Florida ramped back up.
Hayward settled on Billy Napier and Florida during a ceremony at his school on Wednesday afternoon.
The top-10 safety projection is the latest in a torrid run for UF since mid November, when it ensured the head coach's stability going into next year and rattled off upset wins over SEC opponents on the field.
Hayward is among the one-dozen recruits the Gators have added in just about two weeks, surging up the class rankings all the way into the top 10 as National Signing Day began.
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Top 100
TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker
What Hayward brings to Gainesville
One of the most balanced safety types in the class, and he works all three phases on Friday nights in the process. A clear secondary prospect in college, the senior has the skill set to potentially work multiple positions, from nickel to deep safety. He can play in the box and support the run with his short-area explosiveness and instincts, but his forte is working off of the hash and playing the football at its apex.
A fluid athlete comfortable in space or tight quarters, Hayward could develop into a nickel type with his comfort in uncomfortable situations and physicality. At a legitimate 6-foot-1, he has room to fill out and work well beyond 200 pounds, though he works swiftly with his current build. Requisite length could also push towards a more versatile college career from a positional standpoint, with man-coverage upside to boot.
At a minimum, Hayward is one of the most complete safety prospects in the country, able to work well in most down and distance situations. As he settles on one spot in college, he should enhance incredible fluidity and ball skills to fit right into the modern mold of the safety position.
