May 20, 2011
Vanderbilt’s All-Southeastern Conference cornerback Casey Hayward has been named one of the nation’s top 100 players by Rivals.com.
Hayward, a two-year starter from Perry (Ga.) High School, was ranked No. 98 in Rivals.com’s Top 100, the popular sports website announced today. Rivals.com is releasing one player a day from Top 100 ranking to preview the upcoming college football season.
The 5-11, 190-pound Commodore senior is regarded as one of the nation’s elite defensive backs. A likely candidate for the preseason Thorpe Award watch list, Hayward looks to become the Commodores’ first All-America defensive back since D.J. Moore was selected in 2008.
“Casey is a tremendous player and a guy that I think is going to have a great senior season,” first-year Commodore Head Coach James Franklin said. “He’s extremely talented and makes big plays for the defense, exactly the kind of player we are working to attract at Vanderbilt.
“I was also impressed by Casey’s work ethic during spring ball. He was out there working extremely hard every day training to get better and being a great teammate. Casey is very deserving of this recognition,” Franklin added.
Hayward enters the 2011 season off an impressive junior campaign that included six interceptions, matching the fifth-highest single-season total by a Commodore. Hayward also topped the SEC with 11 defensed passes while setting a career high with 59 solo tackles.
Hayward has eight career interceptions and needs just two to join the team’s all-time Top 10 in the category. Leonard Coleman, an All-American in 1983, is the team’s career leader with 15 interceptions.
Hayward is just one of several defensive standouts returning for the Commodores this season. Others include SEC active career tackles leader Chris Marve at linebacker, two-year starter Sean Richardson at safety, Tim Fugger at defensive end and 2010 co-captain T.J. Greenstone at tackle.
The Commodores open their first season under Franklin by hosting Elon on Sept. 3 in Vanderbilt Stadium. Season tickets for the Commodores’ seven-game home schedule remain available online at the official website (vucommodores.com), by phone at (615) 322-GOLD or in the Athletic Box Office in McGugin Center on campus.
