Daelin Hayes: "I want to blow up plays"

Defensive end Daelin Hayes is more than comfortable with defensive coordinator Clark Lea as the Irish reached the halfway point of spring football. 

Lea took over the Mike Elko and has made sure each player knows he is devoted to improving the defense. 

“Coach Lea is a lot more calm,” Hayes stated. “Coach Lea is extremely invested in us as young men, and that’s not saying Coach Elko wasn’t. He’s very encouraging and excited about what guys do off the field as well. 

“He makes sure we live up to that expectation and standard we have set for ourselves each day on and off the field.” 

Hayes has also enjoyed the constant communication and teaching style of Lea. 

“Coach Lea see’s everything,” said Hayes. “He’ll come over out of the crowd and tell you 'Good job' or correct you. I love Coach Lea. I’m enjoying his coaching style.” 

When it comes to his own game, Hayes is working on the physical part of the position. The Michigan native wants to be better attacking the offensive line and getting to the ball. 

“Block destruction,” Hayes said of what he was focused on this spring. “I want to be physical at the point of attack and getting off blocks. Hand use and pass rush too. Those two things specifically and overall physicality. I want to blow up plays. 

“I want to be more of a force on the defense. I’m working on being more physical day in and out. I’m letting those things lay itself out there in practice.” 

Notre Dame has a chance to be a special defense in 2018, and it starts with the veteran presence within the defensive unit. 

“It’s huge,” Hayes stated of the experience returning. “We only lost one guy. Te’von (Coney) and Drue (Tranquill) have moved over. It’s been great. Coach Elko’s philosophy was about having the twos ready just like the ones. It’s huge for those guys to be mentally and physically prepared to fill those roles when guys leave.” 

Hayes has also gained confidence in the position he’s being asked to play. While he was one of the nation’s top prospects, Hayes didn’t play a lot of football over his four years of high school. He’s stayed healthy, and Hayes is looking to raise the bar. 

“From this time last year or even the season, it’s something I’ve been extremely comfortable with,” Hayes said of the drop position. “Being in a set position after being converted from a linebacker in high school, I really feel comfortable and confident in what I’m doing.

“It’s showing in my play in how fast I can diagnose and react to make plays.” 

Hayes has put on good weight this offseason, which also helps with playing more physical in the trenches. 

“I’m up to about 262-263 pounds,” stated Hayes. “I was 249 last year. Being able to get off blocks and shed blocks to be a playmaker has been huge for me this offseason. I’m building on that each day.” 

However, Hayes doesn’t think his weight was a major factor in his play last year, but it came down to overthinking. 

“As the season went on, I think sometimes being situations where I was uncertain, and you know that goes when you play the game and starting thinking too much,” Hayes said. “It can slow down your level of play. 

“It’s definitely something I want to work on.”

Experience and confidence for the entire defense could take the Irish to new heights despite Lea being his in first season as defensive coordinator.  

“It was also the first year in the system,” said Hayes. “Our guys right now, if you watch our defense now compared to last spring, we’re looking like ‘What’s going on?’ The confidence in what we’re doing has been huge for us.”