Selected in the sixth round (181st overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Has appeared in 47 career games forthe Buccaneers, making three startsand recording 33 tackles, three passesdefensed, one forced fumble and onefumble recovery. Has also added 34career special teams tackles.
Has appeared in three career postseason contests, recording four tackles.
Led the NFL in special teams tackles during the 2023 season, finishing with 14. His 14 special teams tackles marked the most by a Buccaneer since Russell Shepard recorded 14 in 2014.
Appeared on special teams in the Week 1 victory in Atlanta, playing 16 snaps.
In the Week 2 win at Houston, played a team-lead-tying 22 special teams snaps and recorded one special teams tackle.
Appeared on special teams in the Week 3 win over the New York Jets, playing a team-high-tying 24 special teams snaps and logging two special teams tackles.
In Week 4 vs. Philadelphia, appeared on 28 special teams snaps. Recorded one special teams tackle.
Played 22 special teams snaps in the Week 5 win at Seattle. Downed a Riley Dixon punt at the Seattle one-yard line.
In the Week 6 win over the 49ers, played 23 special teams snaps, finishing with one special teams tackle. His 23 such snaps were the second-most on the team.
In Week 7 at Detroit, played 23 special teams snaps and recorded one special teams tackle.
Played a team-high 15 special teams snaps in the Week 8 win at New Orleans, tallying two special teams tackles.
In Week 10 vs. New England, played a team-high 24 special teams snaps. Finished with one special teams tackle.
Appeared on a team-high 26 special teams snaps in Week 11 at Buffalo, contributing two special teams tackles and one forced fumble. It marked the first forced fumble of his career.
In Week 12 at the Los Angeles Rams, played a team-high 22 special teams snaps, finishing with one special teams tackle.
Appeared exclusively on special teams in the Week 13 win over Arizona, recording a team-high-tying 19 special teams snaps. Finished with two special teams tackles.
In Week 14 vs. New Orleans, appeared on 18 special teams snaps.
Played 22 special teams snaps in Week 15 vs. Atlanta, recording one special teams tackle.
In Week 16 at Carolina, played a team- high-tying 22 special teams snaps.
Saw action on a team-high 21 special teams snaps in Week 17 at Miami.
In the Week 18 win over Carolina, appeared exclusively on special teams, playing a team-high-tying 17 special teams snaps.
Appeared in 68 career games across six seasons between North Dakota State (2017-20), the University of Virginia (2021) and Kansas State University (2022).
In his collegiate career, amassed 204 tackles, 26 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two interceptions.
As a super senior at Kansas State in 2022, started 13 games and recorded 71 tackles (a career-high 5.5 for loss), seven passes defensed and one forced fumble.
At the University of Virginia in 2021, appeared in three games and logged one tackle.
In 2020 at North Dakota State, appeared in six games, logging 30 tackles and three passes defensed.
In 2019, started all 16 games at cornerback for a North Dakota State team that won the FCS National Championship. Earned second team All-Missouri Valley Football honors after recording 59 tackles, 10 passes defensed, two interceptions and one forced fumble.
In 2018, appeared in 15 games and registered 28 tackles and three passes defensed.
As a freshman in 2017, saw action in 15 games and tallied 15 tackles, three passes defensed and one forced fumble.
Nephew of former Buccaneers linebacker Geno Hayes.
Originally from Lakeland, Fla., where he attended Lake Gibson High School.
Parents are Eugene and Dawn Hayes.
Has one sister, Sydney and one brother, Eugene Jr.
Has one daughter, Leilani.
