Hayes awed by Ohio State visit

When Daelin Hayes re-opened his recruitment last month, Ohio State took the opportunity to jump back into the discussion for the five-star linebacker. A team that had really never been a strong factor earlier in the process, the Buckeyes are now squarely in the mix following an official visit this weekend.

"I had no idea what to expect. I had never been to Columbus," Hayes said. "It was my first time meeting Coach Meyer and my first time really interacting with the whole coaching staff. I had a great time and it was an amazing visit. I left Ohio State in awe, really."

Hayes stepped back from a 14-month pledge to USC on Oct. 11 and looked to take his recruitment in a different direction. It was then that Ohio State ramped back up their interest in Hayes and an official visit was scheduled shortly thereafter.

"Obviously they offered me when I was a sophomore, but they were new to my recruitment," Hayes said. "A lot of that came from Coach (Tony) Alford, who used to be the coach at Notre Dame. Coach Alford and I have known each other since I was a sophomore, so me establishing a relationship with them (happened) pretty quick because I knew Coach Alford."

In the weeks leading up to this weekend's official visit, Hayes solicited insight from current Buckeyes he knew from the Detroit area like Mike Weber, Joshua Alabi and Damon Webb. He also used that time to build a relationship with head coach Urban Meyer.

"Coach Meyer personally told me before I even got on the trip, he's not recruiting me to redshirt. He thinks I am an immediate impact guy," Hayes said. "Obviously I am a mid-year guy, so I will be able to come in and get acclimated to the system and get acclimated to the culture of Ohio State football."

Once on the official visit, Ohio State matched Hayes up with freshman linebacker Justin Hilliard and the Ann Arbor (Mich.) Skyline product was able to get additional player perspectives.

"From a player standpoint, them being the defending national champion and the No. 1 team in the country, they said, 'we're not going to lie to you - this is hard,'" Hayes said. "At least in my eyes, who wouldn't be intrigued by that? If you're a true competitor, that's all you can ask for."

A shoulder injury has kept Hayes from finishing out his senior season on the field and also given him perspective to evaluate these schools from the basis of, would he be happy with football out of the equation? That question was addressed while he was in Columbus.

"One of the biggest things, the coaches really didn't talk about football a lot with me," Hayes said. "I left every meeting with a coach or academic advisor feeling like I was going to be prepared for life. Talking with Coach Meyer, Coach Alford and Coach (Kerry) Coombs, it helped me look at things from a different perspective and I really enjoyed myself."

Hayes was Ohio State's only official visitor this weekend. He was accompanied on the visit by both of his parents.

"This was the first recruiting trip that my dad actually came on," Hayes said. "They had a lot of questions that they asked and my mom and my dad love Coach Meyer."

Notre Dame was the first to host Hayes on an official visit last month. The trip to Ohio State is the first of four straight official visit weekends scheduled. He will travel to Michigan State next weekend, followed by planned visits to Oregon on Nov. 20 and LSU on Nov. 27. A decision is expected soon after with Hayes' high school graduation coming in December.

The 6-foot-3, 254-pound Hayes is ranked as the No. 13 prospect in the Rivals100, the No. 1 player in the state of Michigan and the No. 3 outside linebacker in the 2016 class.

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