Hitting The Road: Ryan Hayes

Written by Alec Swain

Once his visit to Notre Dame this weekend is complete, 2018 Michigan offensive lineman Ryan Hayes will unofficially visit both Michigan and Michigan State. This seems to be a three-team race at this point, and it will be interesting to see which program leaves the biggest impression on the four-star talent. 

Michigan has recruited offensive linemen well in recent years. In the 2018 class, Michigan has already landed Markese Stepp’s teammate, Emil Ekiyor. In 2017, Michigan brought in a very impressive haul, which included national recruits such as Cesar Ruiz, Chuck Filiaga and JaRaymond Hall.

It is not the first time the Irish have battled Michigan for talented prospects, as the two Midwest powers constantly seem to “duke it out” in the recruiting world. In 2017, Notre Dame and Michigan battled for now-Irish early enrollee, Aaron Banks. A year prior, Ben Bredeson picked Michigan over the Irish and his hometown team, Wisconsin. Now, Michigan will get their shot to impress Hayes. Tim Drevno, the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Michigan, will make his attempt to lure Hayes to the Wolverines. 

However, Michigan is not Notre Dame’s only recruiting rival. The Spartans have never recruited on the same level as Michigan or Notre Dame, but the way Mark Dantonio morphs two-stars into legitimate athletes is truly remarkable. Like Notre Dame, Michigan State had an abysmal 2016 regular season, as they only won three games (one of them being in South Bend). 

Like Kelly, Dantonio is looking to turn it around this year and will be trying to convince prospects like Hayes that Michigan State will competing in the Big Ten in the coming years. Hayes will get his inside look at the Spartan program after his Michigan visit, which will conclude his Midwest tour.

Notre Dame should feel good about its chances with Hayes, as Harry Hiestand typically gets the prospects he wants on the offensive line. It also helps that Dillian Gibbons, Joshua Lugg and Irish commit Cole Mabry are also on campus this weekend. It is safe to assume Hayes was given plenty of attention while in South Bend. 

It would not be a surprise if Hayes were a future Notre Dame commit, but the four-star has legitimate interest in his two in-state programs, which definitely cannot be overlooked. After this weekend, it will be telling to see which program gains momentum in this recruitment. 

Weekly Offer Recap

Michael Wilson, the 6-foot-2, 180-pound wide receiver out of West Hills, CA picked up an offer from Purdue. 

Shaquon Anderson-Butts, the 6-foot-0, 193-pound wide receiver out of Harrisburg, PA, picked up an offer from Minnesota.

Ronnie Perkins, the 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive end out of St. Louis, MO, picked up offers from Louisville and Michigan. 

Anthony Schwartz, the 6-foot, 172-pound wide receiver out of Fort Lauderdale, FL, picked up an offer from LSU.

Alan Tisdale, the 6-foot-3, 208-pound outside linebacker out of Greensboro, NC, picked up an offer from Mississippi State.