#19 Casey Hayward

2011
Hayward put together one of the finest seasons ever by a Commodore defensive back en route to becoming the first Vanderbilt All-America in four years… Recognized as second team All-America by the Walter Camp Foundation, Rivals.com and Yahoo! Sports… Earned second team All-SEC honors by coaches and writers… 15 career interceptions tied Leonard Coleman (1980-83) for most in team history… Hayward[apos]s career interception is most among active SEC players… Also concluded career with 46 defensed passes, 148 solo tackles and 198 total tackles… As senior, started all 13 games at cornerback, making 62 total tackles… Posted seven picks, third highest single-season total ever by Commodore… Made 26 tackles over the final four games of the year… Topped team with 10 pass break ups, including a career-best six against Arkansas… Finished career with pair of interceptions and eight tackles vs. Cincinnati in AutoZone Liberty Bowl… Hayward[apos]s interception return for a TD against UConn tied the game in the fourth quarter and helped set the stage for the Dores[apos] comeback win… Also posted two interceptions at South Carolina… Has seen action on offense carrying the ball five times for 60 yards… Also Tabbed as midseason All-American by SI.com and CBSSports.com.

2010
One of the top defensive backs in the nation, Hayward continued his excellent play as a junior… Named second team All-SEC DB by both the league coaches and Associated Press writers… Started every game at cornerback, pushing his consecutive starts streak to 24 games… Put together his finest year in Commodore uniform, setting single-season highs in interceptions (6), solo tackles (59), total tackles (70) and passes defended (17)… Ranked first in SEC – and third in NCAA – in passes defended… Interception total ranked second in SEC – and tied for fifth nationally… Posted at least one pass defended in 10 of 12 games and at least three tackles in 11 of 12 games… Had eight tackles, including seven solo stops, to aid victory at Ole Miss… Picked off passes in four consecutive games – LSU, Ole Miss, UConn and Eastern Michigan… Also registered INTs against South Carolina and Tennessee… Also posted nine tackles in Georgia, South Carolina and Arkansas and eight solo stops in finale vs. Wake Forest.

2009
Named team[apos]s postseason Most Valuable Defensive Back Award… Started every game at cornerback, though missed much of two games due to injury… Ranked fifth among Commodores in both total tackles (58) and solo tackles (40)… Also topped team with 8.5 tackles for loss, ranked second with seven defensed passes and second with two interceptions… Had three or more tackles in 11 of 12 games… Posted remarkable effort at LSU, contributing career high 13 total tackles and four tackles for loss, earning team[apos]s Defensive Player of the Week honor… Also claimed the weekly recognition after contributing six tackles and an interception against Georgia… Also had eight tackles and an interception against Ole Miss.

2008
One of three true freshman to see action during the season, joining safety Sean Richardson and receiver John Cole… Played in every game, participating as nickel back in secondary and on special team coverage units… Played more in the Commodores[apos] Music City Bowl victory than any other games, replacing an injured Moore… Finished the bowl game with a career-high three tackles and pair of defensed passes… Also saw considerable action against Florida and Kentucky… Concluded season with eight total tackles, including three solo stops, and three defensed passes… Contributed two tackles and a forced fumble in victory at Ole Miss.

High School
Three-year team captain and four-year member of team[apos]s leadership Council… Three-year starter at QB; two-year starter at DB… Named team[apos]s MVP and Houston County Athlete of the Year as senior, helping squad to AAA quarterfinals… Rushed for 1,284 yards and 18 TDs; passed for 1,300 yards and 18 TDs… As DB, had four INTs, returning three for TDs… Averaged 30.5 yards returning kicks… Region 4-AAA Offensive Player of the Year, All-State DB and All-Middle Georgia… Finished career with 39 TD passes and 36 TDs scored… Starting guard in basketball; sprinter/triple jumper in track.

Personal
Casey Hayward Sr… Son of Casey Sr., and Tish Hayward… Born Sept. 9, 1989… Dad is employed at Lowe[apos]s; mom works in residential health care… Has a brother, JeCavesia… Working toward a degree in Sociology from the College of Arts and Science.