Elite defensive recruit has the Tennessee Vols at the top of his list

The Tennessee Vols are the team to beat for one of the top defensive recruits in the nation. 

2025 four-star safety Lagonza Hayward told On3 this week that Tennessee is currently his No. 1 school. 

“Tennessee is definitely No. 1 for me,” said Hayward to On3. “The way they went about recruiting me from the beginning means a lot. They believed in me early. Tennessee offered me before the stars, so they have been heavy with me from the jump."

Hayward, 6-foot-1/200 lbs from Lyons, GA, is rated by 247Sports as the No. 7 safety in the nation and the No. 12 player in the state of Georgia. He's also rated as the No. 75 overall recruit in the nation. 

Florida, Florida State, South Carolina, and USC are also in the mix for Hayward, who told On3 that he plans to commit in August. 

Hayward will take his official visit to Tennessee on June 21. 

Scouting report via 247Sports: Verified around 6-foot-1, 200 pounds with a well-built upper body, athletic lower half, and positive arm and wingspan measurements which should allow him to continue adding muscle before eventually settling in around 225 pounds at the next level. Rare two-way talent at wideout and defensive back that could be graded as an athlete considering collegiate programs are recruiting him on both sides of the ball, but likely has a higher ceiling as a defensive back prospect. Expansive multi-sport background speaks to his overall athleticism which directly translates at the prep level on Friday nights and in camp settings against elite competition. Plays with a hot motor and violent intentions which results in impressive takeaway production and a fair share of bone-shattering collisions. Triggers effectively whether the ball is in the air or on the ground and pursues with a fanatical level of determination. 

It would be a surprise if the Vols don't land Hayward. He loves what he's seen so far from Tennessee. And with only a few months to go before Hayward commits, it would take a lot for another program to pass the Vols in this recruiting battle. 

Anytime the Vols can win a recruiting battle in Georgia, it should be viewed as a massive win for Tennessee. Josh Heupel and his staff are certainly hoping that will prove be the case with Hayward.