Tag: Lagonza Hayward

Vols continue recruiting at high level with Jaedon Harmon commitment

Tennessee football and head coach Josh Heupel continue recruiting at a high level.

Tennessee flipped 2025 Alabama four-star linebacker commit Jaedon Harmon on Sunday, helping the Vols record a historical month on the recruiting trail for Josh Heupel and his coaching staff.

The Vols not only bolstered their 2025 recruiting class, but Tennessee is also off to a great start to its 2026 recruiting class over the last month.

In Tennessee’s 2025 class, along with flipping Harmon, the Vols also flipped No. 3 tight end prospect DaSaahn Brame, while adding No. 4 safety Lagonza Hayward and No. 1 offensive tackle David Sanders Jr.

Tennessee has 23 commitments in its 2025 recruiting class, while adding No. 1 quarterback Faizon Brandon and No. 9 tight end Carson Sneed to the Vols’ 2026 class.

READ: Social media reacts to Jaedon Harmon committing to Tennessee football

2025 four-star safety Lagonza Hayward commits to Vols

2025 four-star safety prospect Lagonza Hayward commits to Tennessee football.

2025 four-star safety prospect Lagonza Hayward committed to Tennessee on Saturday.

The 6-foot-1, 200 pound safety is from Toombs County High School in Lyons, Georgia.

Hayward ranks as the No. 94 overall prospect in the class of 2025. He also ranks as the No. 11 safety and No. 12 player in Georgia, according to 247Sports.

Tennessee has 19 commitments in its 2025 recruiting class: Quarterback George MacIntyre, defensive lineman Ethan Utley, tight end Jack Vandorselaer, cornerback Dylan Lewis, running back Justin Baker, wide receiver Joakim Dodson, cornerback Tyler Redmond, safety Sidney Walton, wide receiver Radarious Jackson, offensive lineman Antoni Kade Ogumoro, edge Jayden Loftin, offensive lineman Nic Moore, defensive lineman Charles House, offensive lineman Douglas Utu, cornerback Tre Poteat, edge Mariyon Dye, wide receiver Travis Smith Jr., linebacker Christian Gass and Hayward.

Katie Goodale/USA TODAY Network

Blue-chip safety recruit to make verbal commitment this weekend

Florida is a dark horse candidate for 4-star safety Lagonza Hayward, who will announce his verbal commitment this weekend.

The coming weekend is another big one for the Florida football program as four-star safety Lagonza Hayward out of Lyons (Georgia) Toombs County in the 2025 cycle gets set to make his verbal commitment. The 6-foot-1-inch, 200-pound defensive back made an official visit with the Gators in mid-June and is zeroing in on his final decision.

“On my birthday, July 27, between Florida and South Carolina,” Hayward revealed as his decision date after his Florida OV.

However, he has changed things a bit since that announcement.

“The offers came in, I had a lot of choices and I had to make a tough decision. It has come down to Florida, Georgia and Tennessee,” Hayward told Gators Online. “My decision to pick one of those will be about relationships and loyalty. Those things are very important to me.”

As for why those programs stand out from the rest, it comes down to development and ambiance.

“I can go there and get developed, play early, and it’s a great atmosphere,” he said previously.” Just being in an atmosphere, you just got to love being there, loving the organization and the program.”

Recruiting Summary

Lagonza is ranked No. 95 overall and No. 11 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 100 and 9, respectively.

Tennessee holds one crystal ball prediction from 247Sports and leads On3’s recruiting prediction machine with a 71.7% chance of signing him; Georgia (25.5%) and Florida (1.1%) follow distantly behind.

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

2025 safety receives Tennessee crystal ball prediction

2025 safety receives Tennessee crystal ball prediction.

2025 four-star safety prospect Lagonza Hayward received a crystal ball prediction from 247Sports’ Tom Loy.

Hayward narrowed his school list down to Tennessee and Georgia. He will announce his commitment on Aug. 7.

Hayward officials visited Tennessee on June 21.

The 6-foot-1, 200 pound safety is from Toombs County High School in Lyons, Georgia.

Hayward ranks as the No. 94 overall prospect in the class of 2025. He also ranks as the No. 11 safety and No. 12 player in Georgia, according to 247Sports.

Tennessee has 17 commitments in its 2025 recruiting class: Quarterback George MacIntyre, defensive lineman Ethan Utley, tight end Jack Vandorselaer, cornerback Dylan Lewis, running back Justin Baker, wide receiver Joakim Dodson, cornerback Tyler Redmond, safety Sidney Walton, wide receiver Radarious Jackson, offensive lineman Antoni Kade Ogumoro, edge Jayden Loftin, offensive lineman Nic Moore, defensive lineman Charles House, offensive lineman Douglas Utu, cornerback Tre Poteat, edge Mariyon Dye and wide receiver Travis Smith Jr.

4-star UGA recruiting target moves up commitment date

Four-star in-state safety recruit moves up commitment date after visiting South Carolina

Four-star safety recruit Lagonza Hayward has moved up his commitment date. The talented class of 2025 safety prospect plans to announce his commitment on July 27. He was scheduled to commit in August.

Hayward’s top four schools are Georgia, Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee. Hayward, who is ranked as the No. 6 safety in the country, is no longer considering Alabama, Florida State and USC.

The four-star safety plays high school football for Toombs County High School in Lyons, Georgia. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound safety is the No. 82 recruit in the nation and the No. 11 player in Georgia. Hayward is a key recruiting target for head coach Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs.

Hayward visited Georgia on May 31. The Toombs County standout also checked out South Carolina. He has official visits with Florida and Tennessee over the next couple of weeks.

Georgia football has been hot in recruiting recently. The Bulldogs have the No. 2 class of 2025 in the SEC. Georgia has four commitments in recent weeks and is building a strong foundation in the 2025 cycle.

Four-star Lagonza Hayward sets commitment date

Four-star safety recruit Lagonza Hayward names his top schools and will be announcing his commitment soon

Four-star safety recruit Lagonza Hayward has named his top seven schools and is nearing a commitment. Hayward plans to announce his decision on Aug. 7.

Hayward’s top schools are Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Florida State, South Carolina, Tennessee and USC. Hayward, a member of the class of 2025, plays high school football for Toombs County High School in Lyons, Georgia.

The four-star is a priority recruit for the Georgia Bulldogs. Georgia is always looking for elite talent in the secondary. Hayward set his commitment date shortly after visiting Georgia on May 31. The Tooms County star has official visits lined up with USC, Florida and Tennessee.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound safety is ranked as the No. 6 player at his position, per 247Sports. Hayward is the No. 82 recruit in the country and the No. 11 player in Georgia.

[lawrence-related id=102395,102399]

Head coach Kirby Smart and Georgia football currently have nine commitments in the class of 2025. Georgia has a major month ahead in recruiting. The Dawgs host numerous elite recruits for official visits this June before a number of Georgia’s top recruiting targets announce commitments in July.

Lagonza Hayward sets commitment date, Vols in top seven

2025 safety prospect Lagonza Hayward announced his commitment date and the Vols are in his top seven.

2025 four-star safety prospect Lagonza Hayward set his commitment date.

Hayward will announce his commitment on Aug. 7, he told On3. Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Florida State, South Carolina, Georgia and USC are finalists in his recruitment.

Hayward will make four official visits during June after visiting Georgia on May 31. He will visit USC this weekend, Florida on June 14 and Tennessee on June 21.

The 6-foot-1, 200 pound safety is from Toombs County High School in Lyons, Georgia.

Hayward ranks as the No. 95 overall prospect in the class of 2025. He also ranks as the No. 10 safety and No. 12 player in Georgia, according to 247Sports.

The Vols have 10 commitments in its 2025 recruiting class: Quarterback George MacIntyre, defensive lineman Ethan Utley, tight end Jack Van Dorseiaer, cornerback Dylan Lewis, running back Justin Baker, wide receiver Joakim Dodson, cornerback Tyler Redmond, safety Sidney Walton, wide receiver Radarious Jackson and offensive lineman Antoni Kade Ogumoro.

Blue-chip Peach State safety includes Florida in top schools list

The Gators were able to boot ‘Bama from their official visit spot as they push hard for this 4-star safety.

Billy Napier and the Florida football recruiting staff got some good news on Tuesday morning when four-star safety [autotag]Lagonza Hayward[/autotag] announced his top schools, which included the Gators.

The 6-foot-1-inch, 200-pound defensive back out of Lyons (Georgia) Toombs County in the 2025 cycle got his offer from the Orange and Blue back in January, with newly-added DB coach Will Harris at the point. Hayward has since set an official visit date with Napier and Co. for the weekend of June 14 — a spot was occupied by the Alabama Crimson Tide prior but snagged away as his relationship with the program has improved.

Hayward’s other top schools

The Florida State Seminoles, Georgia Bulldogs, South Carolina Gamecocks, Tennessee Volunteers, USC Trojans and Alabama comprise the remaining members of Hayward’s top schools.

He has three official visit dates set so far, with FSU (May 31), USC (June 7) and the Vols (June 21) currently on his itinerary.

Recruiting Summary

Hayward is ranked No. 97 overall and No. 12 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 113 and 13, respectively.

On3’s recruiting prediction machine gives Tennessee a 50.1% chance of signing him, followed by Georgia (41.8%), FSU (3.0%) and Florida (1.5%).

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.