Three-star wide receiver C.J. Hayes has committed to Michigan State after being previously committed to Purdue, according to Scout.com. This comes two days after the Spartans lost a wide receiver to a decommitment.
I can confirm South Warren wide receiver CJ Hayes flips from Purdue to Michigan State. pic.twitter.com/idXvAh2Xhg
— Dominique Yates (@RealDYates) January 31, 2017
A look at new #MichiganState commit CJ Hayes with Mark Dantonio. Father tells me his son dreamed of being a Spartan: https://t.co/32PymPtZEs pic.twitter.com/t2t2Faa7PL
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) January 31, 2017
“It was really hard,” he explained. “I was crying and stuff and I talked to Purdue and said I was leaving and them asking why I leaving, all those questions were difficult.”
Hayes verbally committed to Purdue in June, but took a reported official visit to East Lansing over the weekend. And now, a day before the Class of 2017 will sign letters of intent, he's flipped his commitment. Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio had a big hand in the decision.
“He has a proven record or winning Rose Bowls, Cotton Bowls, having opportunities on big stages. He knows what he wants in players and really cares for you,” Hayes said.
“They said I fit in the offense perfectly. I'll be an outside X receiver and they think I'll play as a freshman if I come in and work hard and do all the right things. It's up to me once I get there.”
Hayes (6-3, 200 pounds) recorded 855 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, helping South Warren High School (KY) reach the state title game. He's listed as a top-10 player in the state of Kentucky and No. 190 overall at the wide receiver position. For Michigan State, it's their 21st commit overall for the Class of 2017 and third at the WR position. It comes just days after another wide receiver prospect, Raheem Blackshear, decommitted from the Spartans.
