4-Star LB Daelin Hayes Takes Football 'Out of the Equation,' Picks Notre Dame

For Ann Arbor, Michigan, 4-star linebacker Daelin Hayes, college will be more than simply playing football. No debating necessary.

Hayes is a student-athlete who made sure he included the next 40 years of his life rather than just the next four years when finalizing his verbal commitment. It was his long-term thinking that made Notre Dame a big recruiting winner Thursday afternoon.

Hayes gave his commitment to the Fighting Irish with the help of an exclusive Bleacher Report video, choosing Notre Dame over Ohio State and in-state contender Michigan State, the school that gave him his first offer. Hayes became Notre Dame's 19th overall pledge in the 2016 class.

"I think at the end of the day, what I wanted to do was completely take football out of the equation," said Hayes, the nation's No. 9 outside linebacker who became Notre Dame's top-ranked defensive pledge. "I asked what school would put me in the best position for life. I felt like Notre Dame was the best place to do so."

Recruited by a host of Notre Dame coaches—defensive line coach Keith Gilmore, defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder, linebackers coach Mike Elston, tight ends coach Mike Denbrock and even head coach Brian Kelly—Hayes always had the Irish high on his list. Even when he committed to USC before the start of his junior year in July 2014, Notre Dame was a team to watch.

When Hayes decommitted from USC in October, he set up his first official visit to Notre Dame—ironically for a game against USC. The Irish were an easy choice for Hayes, who at 6'3 ½" and 240 pounds can play all of the linebacker positions effectively.

"I've always loved Notre Dame," Hayes said in October. "They offered me as a sophomore when I camped there. I got to work with my favorite college football player, Jaylon Smith. I also got to see them in their opener against Texas."

Hayes and Smith, a linebacker from Fort Wayne, Indiana, now will be teammates—barring Smith doesn't opt to turn pro. Many feel the two have similar styles as linebackers. Both have similar builds, and both play the game with high motors.

"Being able to see his development and having a relationship built over the years, that was huge for me," Hayes said of Smith. "I see all he's done, and it's paid great dividends for Notre Dame."

Athletically, Hayes has been clocked in the 40-yard dash at 4.59 seconds, per recruiting analyst Tom Lemming, and he has great lateral move, as well as power off the snap. Academically, Hayes is looking to pursue a business degree and focus on the field of marketing after college.

Hayes ultimately called it one of the toughest decisions he's had to make, primarily because he's a fan of all three schools. He said all three schools met his criteria on and off the field.

Choosing Notre Dame in the end, he said, was a decision he knew he would never regret.

"It was extremely hard. I don't envy anyone in that position," he said. "Having to tell them all 'no' is hard, but you have to make a decision where you feel is best for you. No one can make that decision but you. You have to be the one to live it every day."

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles