Tennessee trails in the race for a valuable recruit, but the Vols……
The Tennessee Vols are expected to prevail in the recruiting battle for Lagonza Hayward, a four-star safety from Lyons, Georgia, who is rated by 247Sports as the No. 82 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class, No. 11 player in the state of Georgia, and 6-foot-1/200 lbs. Earlier this spring, On3’s Steve Wiltfong made this prediction.
Wiltfong’s prognosis was not the only one. For the most part of the winter and spring, Hayward was seen by most in the recruiting community as a potential Vol commit.
But recent trips to South Carolina and Georgia had clouded the situation in the fight for Hayward.
But recent trips to South Carolina and Georgia had clouded the situation in the fight for Hayward.
Chad Simmons of On3 indicated on Monday that following Hayward’s official visit to Columbia this past weekend, South Carolina now had the momentum for him.
According to Simmons, “the Gamecocks have taken that momentum away from Georgia and Tennessee as it sits right now.”
This recruitment fight is almost over, as Hayward is scheduled to declare his commitment on July 27.
Luckily, the Vols still have a strong point that might help them turn the tide before Hayward makes his pledge public in late June.
As of right now, Hayward’s final official visit before making his selection is set to take place in Tennessee on June 21 after he visits Florida this weekend.
Official visits seem to have changed the momentum in this battle. Given that the Vols dominated this recruiting competition for the majority of the spring, it seems reasonable to speculate that following Hayward’s last official visit later this month, Tennessee may regain the upper hand.
That does not guarantee that Tennessee will prevail in this conflict. However, if I had to wager on where Hayward will commit right now, I would choose the Vols.
