4-Star LB Daelin Hayes' Top 3 Features College Football Heavyweights

In the aftermath of his decommitment from USC, 4-star linebacker Daelin Hayes has narrowed his final list to three schools—Michigan State, Notre Dame and Ohio State—according to his Twitter account:

The 6’4”, 235-pounder has cancelled previously scheduled official visits to LSU and Oregon, which comes as little surprise considering he recently told VSporto podcast Recruitniks his desire to stay closer to his home state of Michigan.

“Really, right now, I’d say my top three, really, my first three official visits—Michigan State, with Notre Dame and Ohio State—that’s a three-headed monster right now that it's coming down to,” Hayes said. “Obviously, Oregon and LSU are pretty far away. Although that’s never been a problem, now that I have a chance to stay closer to home, I think that’s appropriate with family being in the Midwest.”

With Hayes scheduled to be an early enrollee, the clock is ticking until he will have to enroll at the school of his choice.

He visited Notre Dame on Oct. 17 and will make the short trek to East Lansing this weekend to see the Spartans.

"

THE ❗️⭕️ STATE UNIVERSITY  pic.twitter.com/ZUTNxSTF4C

— ⚡️Daelin Hayes⚡️ (@DaelinHayes_24) November 7, 2015"

The most recent school to host him on a visit was Ohio State for its win last weekend over Minnesota.

“When you are down on Ohio State’s campus, you get the feeling that it’s big-boy ball,” Hayes said. “Obviously, it was my first time getting down to see the campus and meet Coach [Urban] Meyer for the first time in person. Before I even got down to campus, Coach Meyer called and told me, 'I’m not recruiting you to redshirt. I’m recruiting to come in and play.'”

It’s safe to say Hayes was impressed with the atmosphere on campus and the pitch made to him by Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer.

“Getting down to see Columbus for the first time with my family, it was nothing short of amazing. Just seeing those guys and the culture they have established, it was [great], bar none,” he said.

As detailed by Tom Loy of 247Sports, the Irish are the perceived favorite for Hayes.

However, Loy also noted the recent buzz around his recruitment favors the Buckeyes and the Spartans. 

While his visits will play a role in his decision, Hayes detailed two key factors he’s looking for in helping him arrive at a conclusion. 

“I’d say the biggest thing for me is development as a young man,” Hayes explained. “Will the coaching staff and the program build upon what my parents have already set a foundation of? I’d say that’s No. 1. No. 2—the opportunity after football. Obviously, networking and opportunity after football ends is important for me because football has an expiration date, but those relationships and networking you do, that does not. I would say those are the two biggest things for me.”

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.