| Jerome Hayes |
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Jerome Hayes was having a major impact on the success of the defense and special teams when he suffered the first of several significant injuries to hit the Nittany Lions in 2007, ending his season after seven games. In his first year as a rush end, Hayes suffered a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on a special teams play in the win over No. 19 Wisconsin. He had surgery in late October and should be 100 percent by the start of the season. The highly skilled and intense Hayes attacked his rehabilitation with the same passion he brings to the field. He goes to the ball with a ferocious attitude and loves to deliver punishing hits. The former Bayonne HS All-American is a strong and talented athlete, with excellent size and speed and the ability to make big plays. Hayes should re-emerge as a significant contributor for the defense and special teams this season. He is one of eight returning Nittany Lions from New Jersey.
2007 Junior Season
Hayes was having a major impact on the success of the defense and special teams when he suffered the first of several significant injuries to hit the Nittany Lions in 2007, ending his season after seven games. In his first year as a rush end, he suffered a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on a special teams play in the win over No. 19 Wisconsin and had surgery in late October. Hayes played in the first seven games, recording 17 tackles (10 solo) with three tackles for losses, including 2.5 sacks for minus-13 yards. He recorded a sack in the season-opening shutout of Florida International. The following week, he made two tackles against Notre Dame, tracking and bringing down quarterback Jimmy Clausen for a seven-yard loss in the 31-10 primetime win. Hayes made a career-best six stops (five solo), sharing a tackle for loss, at Michigan. He also made three hits in the wins over Buffalo and Iowa. Hayes saw action on 244 snaps prior to his injury, led by 53 at Michigan.
2006 Sophomore Season
Hayes played in eight games on defense and special teams. He missed five contests with a foot injury. He made five tackles, with two stops each against Akron and Temple. He also recorded a solo tackle for a seven-yard loss at Notre Dame for his first career minus-yardage play. Hayes was on the field for 111 snaps, led by a season-high 32 snaps in the shutout of Temple.
Freshman Season
Redshirt season.
High School
Hayes was one of the nation's most highly recruited linebackers after concluding his stellar career at Bayonne HS in 2004. He was a 2005 Army All-American for Coach Rick Rodriguez and earned first-team all-state honors his final three years. He also was a Tom Lemming and PrepStar All-American. A linebacker and running back, Hayes recorded 103 tackles, forced eight fumbles and recovered four fumbles as a senior. He also ran for 1,200 yards and scored 18 touchdowns in 2004. Hayes was the conference Defensive Player-of-the-Year as a senior and a three-time all-county selection. He helped Bayonne captured the 2002 state title. Hayes also was a four-year standout on the hardwood.
