Casey Hayward

Early life

Hayward attended Perry High School, where he was a three-sport star in football, basketball and track. In football, he was a three-year starter at quarterback and also played several games at cornerback. As a senior, he led his team to the state quarterfinals by passing for 1,300 yards and 18 touchdowns as well as rushing for 1,284 yards and another 18 touchdowns. He also had four interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns. His performance had him named the Region 4-AAA Player of the Year. He was also named an All-State defensive back and an All-middle Georgia player. Hayward was also a member of the team's leadership council and a starting guard in basketball.

As an outstanding track & field athlete, Hayward excelled in sprints and jumps. At the 2008 Patriot Invitational, he earned a second-place finish in the triple jump event, posting a career-best leap of 13.93 meters (45 ft, 6 in), while also placing twelfth in the 100-meter dash, with a time of 11.48 seconds. He recorded a personal-best leap of 6.83 meters (22 ft, 3 in) in the long jump at the Harmon Invitational, where he took gold. He also ran a PR of 22.75 seconds in the 200-meter dash. In addition, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds, bench-pressed 255 pounds, squatted 400 pounds and had a 33-inch vertical.

Coming out of high school, Hayward was measured to be 6 ft. 1 in. and 185 pounds. He received very few scholarship offers from division schools, which he attributed to being "strictly a quarterback". He was scouted by Georgia Tech, Louisville, Middle Tennessee State, North Carolina, Southern Miss, and Troy.

College career

Hayward ultimately chose to attend Vanderbilt University because of the school's academic ranking and the fact that the school is a member of the Southeastern Conference. He immediately played during his freshman year and made his permanent move to cornerback as a nickelback and also on special teams.

In 2009, he was promoted to the starting role and played in every game, although he did miss most of two games due to injury. He was named the defensive player of the week against LSU after contributing 13 tackles (eight solo) with 4 for a loss. He was also named the team's most valuable defensive back.

Hayward continued to make an impact going into 2010 and started every game of the season. He had six interceptions, 70 tackles (59 solo), and 17 passes defended. He ranked first in the SEC and 3rd in the NCAA for passes defended. His performance earned him a spot on the second-team All-SEC as a defensive back by the coaches and media.

During his final season as a Vanderbilt Commodore, Hayward tied the career record for interceptions at 15 (also held by Leonard Coleman). He also made 62 tackles, and had seven interceptions, the third highest single season total by a Vanderbilt player. He was named a mid-season All-American by Sports Illustrated. At the end of the season, Hayward was named a second-team All-American by the Walter Camp Foundation, becoming the first Vanderbilt All-American in four years.

Professional career

Pre-draft

On January 9, 2012, it was announced that Hayward had accepted his invitation to play in the 2012 Senior Bowl. On January 28, 2012, he made a pass deflection and intercepted a pass by Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins as part of Washington Redskins' head coach Mike Shanahan's South team that lost 23–13 to the North. Hayward was one of 59 collegiate defensive backs to attend the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. He completed all of the combine drills, finishing tied for tenth in the bench press among his position group and 25th in the 40-yard dash. On March 23, 2012, Hayward attended Vanderbilt's pro day, but opted to stand on his combine numbers and only performed positional drills. Scouts praised his intelligence and instincts as well as his ability to recognize routes. They also stated that he was a good tackler with good footwork and durability. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Hayward was projected to be a second or third-round pick by NFL draft experts and analysts. He was ranked the fourth best cornerback prospect by NFL analyst Mike Mayock, was ranked the ninth best cornerback by NFLDraftScout.com, and was ranked the 12th best cornerback by NFL analyst Gil Brandt.

Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers selected Hayward in the second round (62nd overall) of the 2012 NFL draft. The Green Bay Packers had to orchestrate a trade with the New England Patriots in order to acquire the 62nd overall pick used to draft Hayward and agreed to exchange their 2012 third (90th overall) and fifth-round picks (163rd overall). He was the fifth cornerback selected in 2012 and Vanderbilt's highest defensive back drafted since Fred Vinson in 1999.

On May 11, 2012, the Green Bay Packers signed Hayward to a four–year, $3.30 million contract that includes $1.03 million guaranteed and an initial signing bonus of $847,208.

Throughout training camp, Hayward competed against Jarrett Bush, Sam Shields, and Davon House for the vacant starting cornerback spot after veteran Charles Woodson was moved to strong safety to replace Nick Collins, who was released due to health concerns. Head coach Mike McCarthy named Hayward the fourth cornerback on the depth chart to start the season, behind starters Sam Shields, Tramon Williams, and primary backup Jarrett Bush.

On September 9, 2012, he made his professional regular season debut in the Green Bay Packers' season-opener against the San Francisco 49ers and recorded one solo tackle in their 30–23 loss. On October 7, 2012, Hayward recorded two combined tackles (one solo), broke up a pass, and made his first career interception off a pass attempt thrown by Andrew Luck to wide receiver Reggie Wayne in the fourth quarter of the Packers' 30–27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The following week, Hayward broke up three passes and intercepted two passes by Matt Schaub and T. J. Yates during the Packers' 42–24 victory at the Houston Texans in Week 6. On October 25, 2012, Hayward earned his first career start after Sam Shields injured his shin and knee and went on to record three solo tackles, make one pass deflection, and intercepted a pass thrown by Sam Bradford to wide receiver Chris Givens as they defeated the St. Louis Rams 30–20. He was named the NFL defensive Rookie of the Month for October due to his four interceptions in three games. He finished third for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and was named to the NFL All-Joes team.

In Week 8, Hayward recorded a season-high eight combined tackles (six solo) in the Packers' 24–15 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. On November 18, 2012, he produced five combined tackles (four solo), a career-high four pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by Matthew Stafford during a 24–20 win at the Detroit Lions. In Week 15, he made one solo tackle, one pass deflection, and had his sixth interception of the season off a pass by Jay Cutler in a 21–13 victory at the Chicago Bears. He finished his rookie campaign in 2012 with 53 combined tackles (40 solo), 22 pass deflections, and six interceptions in 16 games and seven starts. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers

On March 13, 2016, the San Diego Chargers signed Hayward to a three–year, $15.30 million contract that includes $6.80 million guaranteed and an initial signing bonus of $2.50 million.

Throughout training camp, Hayward competed for the job as the starting outside cornerback against Brandon Flowers. Head coach Mike McCoy named Hayward the starting nickelback to begin the regular season. He was also named the third cornerback on the depth chart, behind Jason Verrett and Brandon Flowers.

On September 11, 2016, he made his Chargers' debut and started in the San Diego Chargers' season-opener at the Kansas City Chiefs and recorded four combined tackles (two solo) and defended two passes in the Chargers' 33–27 loss. On September 18, 2016, Hayward collected four solo tackles, two pass break ups, and intercepted Jacksonville Jaguars' quarterback Blake Bortles twice in their 38–14 victory. In Week 5, Hayward collected a season-high eight solo tackles in San Diego's 34–31 loss at the Oakland Raiders. On October 30, 2016, he recorded three combined tackles (two solo), a season-high three pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by Trevor Siemian to Jordan Norwood and returned it 24–yards for a touchdown in a 27–19 loss at the Denver Broncos. The following week, he made three combined tackles (two solo), a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by Marcus Mariota during a 43–35 win against the Tennessee Titans. In Week 13, Hayward made one pass deflection and set a career-high with his seventh interception of the season off a pass thrown by Jameis Winston in a 21–28 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On December 20, 2016, he was named to his first Pro Bowl. He finished the 2016 season with 58 combined tackles (51 solo), 20 pass deflections, seven interceptions, and a touchdown in 16 games and 14 starts. He finished first in the league with seven interceptions and second with 20 passes defensed and was named second-team All-Pro. He was also ranked 64th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017.

The San Diego Chargers finished last in the AFC West with a 5–11 record and head coach Mike McCoy was fired. The team also relocated to Los Angeles during the off season.

Former Buffalo Bills' offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn was hired as the Chargers' new head coach. Hayward entered camp as the de facto starting cornerback after Brandon Flowers was released. Head coach Anthony Lynn officially named Hayward and Jason Verrett the starting cornerbacks to start the regular season.

Las Vegas Raiders

On May 4, 2021, the Las Vegas Raiders signed Hayward to a fully guaranteed one–year, $2.50 million contract that includes a $1.00 million signing bonus. He was reunited with his defensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Chargers from the previous season, Las Vegas Raiders' defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. He entered training camp projected to be the No. 2 starting cornerback ahead of Damon Arnette, Amik Robertson, Rasul Douglas, and Nate Hobbs. Head coach John Gruden named Hayward a starting cornerback to begin the season, alongside Trayvon Mullen.

On September 26, 2021, Hayward made four solo tackles and earned the first safety of his career for two points after tackling wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in the end zone during the first quarter of a 31–28 victory against the Miami Dolphins. On October 11, 2021, the Las Vegas Raiders fired head coach John Gruden after multiple controversies and named special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia as the interim head coach. In Week 12, he collected a season-high six combined tackles (five solo) as the Raiders won 36–33 at the Dallas Cowboys. On January 9, 2022, Hayward made three solo tackles, a season-high three pass deflections, and intercepted a pass thrown by Justin Herbert to wide receiver Mike Williams during a 35–32 win against his former team, the Los Angeles Chargers. He started all 17 games during the 2021 NFL season and recorded a total of 46 combined tackles (39 solo), nine pass deflections, and one interception.

Atlanta Falcons

On March 17, 2022, the Atlanta Falcons signed Hayward to a two–year, $11.00 million contract that included $6.00 million guaranteed upon signing and an initial signing bonus of $4.00 million.

Throughout training camp, he competed to be a starting cornerback against Dee Alford, Mike Ford, and Isaiah Oliver. Head coach Arthur Smith named him the No. 2 starting cornerback to begin the season, alongside No. 1 starting cornerback A. J. Terrell.

On September 18, 2022, Hayward made two solo tackles, a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass thrown by Matthew Stafford to tight end Tyler Higbee as the Falcons lost 27–31 at the Los Angeles Rams. On October 18, 2022, the Atlanta Falcons placed Hayward on injured reserve after suffering a shoulder injury in Week 6. He finished the 2022 NFL season with a total of 17 combined tackles (14 solo), three pass deflections, and one interception in six games and six starts.

On April 21, 2023, Hayward was released with a failed physical designation.

NFL career statistics

Personal life

Hayward was raised in Perry, Georgia, by his parents Casey and Tish Hayward and began playing youth football when he was five years old. His mother Tish died from breast cancer in July 2016.

On November 27, 2017, it was reported that Hayward's younger brother, Jecavesia Hayward, died after a Toyota Camry he was a passenger in crashed into a tractor trailer that was stopped in the emergency lane on Interstate 75. His brother was ejected from the vehicle and hit by passing vehicles. Hayward was allowed to leave the team's facilities and immediately traveled home to be with his family.

Philanthropy

Hayward is involved in many philanthropic endeavors and started his own charity aptly named the Hayward's Hands Foundation. Through the Hayward's Hands Foundation, Hayward donates scholarships to teenagers in his hometown that display hard work and dedication to school, athletics, and to their community. On May 5, 2015, he awarded two $5,000 scholarships to two female students that attend his high school alma mater. Hayward also announced his foundation will continue to award scholarships to students and agreed to pledge $50,000.