Virginia lands strong pass rusher Hayes from Cincy’s Moeller powerhouse

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Jewett Hayes III, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound defensive end, announced on his Twitter account that he had committed to Virginia, choosing Tony Elliott’s program over Iowa, West Virginia, Kentucky, Cincinnati, Wisconsin, Duke and Illinois.

The 3-star is rated the No. 78 edge rusher in the country by On3, and the No. 41 overall prospect in the state of Ohio. He hasn’t been rated by ESPN or 247Sports.

Hayes, who visited UVA in June, was recruited hard by Cavalier legend Chris Slade, who still holds the ACC career record for quarterback sacks.

Hayes hails from an extremely athletic family. His dad, Jonathan Hayes, played at Iowa before putting together a 15-year career as a player and coach for the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals, where he starred at tight end. He also coached as an assistant at Oklahoma for four years.

Hayes’ older brother, Jaxson Hayes, plays for the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, after having been a first-round pick by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019. Jaxson played college ball for Texas.

Hayes’ mom, Kristi, was a college basketball star at Drake.

As a junior at Moeller, Hayes posted 42 tackles, one sack, four hurries, 8.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and three passes broken up.

He is the 13th commitment to Virginia’s recruiting class of 2024.