Tennessee football made another major statement on the recruiting road on Saturday, signing four-star safety Lagonza Hayward. The Peach State product choose the Volunteers over Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina.
The 6-1, 200-pound prospect is ranked 82nd in the 2025 class by 247Sports. He is the sixth-ranked safety in the cycle and the 11th-ranked player in the loaded state of Georgia.
Hayward, a junior for Toombs County, played on both sides of the ball last season. He finished the season with three interceptions, 48 tackles, and three tackles for loss. Hayward contributed 700 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball.
Hayward is another candidate who recently returned from an official visit on June 21st. Tennessee received the final official after he looked at South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia. Just over a month later, with Hayward back in town, the Volunteers had completed this project.
Hayward joins a handful of other defensive backs in Tennessee’s 2025 class. Tre Poteat, Dylan Lewis, Tyler Redmond, and Sidney Walton have all committed to the Vols. Hayward is the second major defensive acquisition in the last seven days, following four-star linebacker Christian Gass.
Tennessee’s class is now ranked in the top ten by 247Sports.
