ISRAEL
HAYWARD
ATHLETE
PROFILE
MEASUREMENTS & INFO
Israel Hayward is a Class of 2027 Defensive End from Atlantic Coast High School in Jacksonville, Florida. At 6'4" and 215 lbs with a 4.6 forty and a 4.05 GPA, he combines size, academic performance, and multi-sport athletic development at an early stage in his projection.
He earned national recognition as a member of the Trench Gorillas — a premier platform for elite high school linemen — and competes in track and field as a javelin thrower, ranked #4 in Florida with a school record of 52.08 meters. The javelin isn't a footnote. Hip explosion, shoulder power, first-step quickness — it confirms everything on his film.
His father, Reggie Hayward, played nine seasons in the NFL as a Defensive End — drafted by the Denver Broncos, 39.5 career sacks, First-Team All-Big 12 at Iowa State. His brother, Samuel Hayward, is a West Point cadet and the highest-ranked football recruit in Army history. His mother, Megan Hayward, played Division I basketball at the University of North Florida. Israel didn't just grow up in a football family. He grew up in a family that understands what elite performance actually requires.
He's currently uncommitted, intends to study Business Management, and is open to programs at all levels. Film is on Hudl.
WATCH THE
FILM
COACHING
STAFF
Israel is coached by a staff with direct NFL and Power 5 experience. College coaches verifying his profile can contact the staff directly.
NFL Coach: Jaguars LB Coach (2020–23)
College: Univ. of Georgia — All-SEC 2nd Team
PRIVATE
TRAINING
Israel's development extends beyond the school program. He works privately with a group of coaches and trainers whose combined résumés span the NFL, CFL, and Division I football.
NFL: Green Bay Packers · Seattle Seahawks · San Francisco 49ers
CFL: 2018 Grey Cup Champion · Edmonton Elks
Now: OL Coach · Jacksonville Sharks (NAL) · Private trainer
Draft: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 3rd round, 2009 NFL Draft
Career: Buccaneers · Jacksonville Jaguars · Kansas City Chiefs
Awards: 2009 Fiesta Bowl Defensive MVP
Focus: Offensive and defensive line mechanics · trench technique
Role: Private positional trainer working with Israel on DL fundamentals
NFL: Jaguars LB coach (2006–2013) · Bengals DC · Bucs DC
Roots: Graduate assistant under Woody Hayes at Ohio State
THE HAYWARD
FAMILY
Three generations of competitive athletic achievement. A father who played nine seasons in the NFL. A brother who made history at West Point. A mother who competed at the Division I level. Israel represents the next chapter in a family built on discipline, preparation, and long-term development.
9 NFL seasons as a Defensive End. Drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 3rd round (87th overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft out of Iowa State. Recorded a career-high 10.5 sacks with Denver in 2004. Signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an unrestricted free agent in 2005 — registering 8.5 sacks in his first Jaguars season. First-team All-Big 12 at Iowa State. Sacked both Peyton Manning and Brett Favre. Israel grows up training with one of the most accomplished pass rushers of his era.
Cadet and football player at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Samuel Hayward is the highest-ranked football recruit in West Point Army history — a record-setting accomplishment that speaks to the standard the Hayward family sets. Israel watches his brother's discipline and purpose every single day.
Former Division I basketball player at the University of North Florida (UNF). Megan Hayward's athletic career at the collegiate level is proof that this family's standard extends far beyond football. Israel's work ethic, competitive drive, and academic discipline reflect everything she instilled in him.
Son of NFL DE Reggie Hayward (Denver Broncos · Jacksonville Jaguars · Iowa State All-Big 12). Brother of Samuel Hayward, highest-ranked recruit in West Point Army football history. Mother Megan Hayward played Division I basketball at UNF.
SIX STAR
SCOUTING REPORTS
Six Star Football is an independent scouting organization that evaluates prospects at camps across the country. These reports are written by scouts who watched Israel perform in person — not compiled from stats.
"Explosive hands and relentless energy define the style of Israel Hayward, a dynamic edge presence out of Florida. He's a technician at the line of scrimmage, combining violent hand usage, quickness, and long arms to disengage and pressure quarterbacks. Hayward consistently challenges offensive tackles with his initial burst and ability to convert speed into power. His high motor is evident on every snap, as he continues to work late into plays and collapse pockets. The 3.9 GPA student-athlete is also a standout in basketball and track, even holding his school's javelin record."
"Hayward's pass-rush arsenal and relentless pursuit make him one of the more disruptive defensive players in his class. He uses his length strategically, gaining leverage early and dictating contact at the point of attack. His creativity as a rusher shows up in his ability to counter and win late, while his quickness inside keeps linemen guessing. That combination of athleticism and technique gives him a foundation to impact both run and pass situations. After his Syracuse visit, Hayward's profile as a well-rounded defender with academic and athletic credentials continues to rise."
"Israel Hayward made a statement at the Notre Dame camp, flashing explosive edge ability and positional versatility that elevated his status as a rising national name in the 2027 class. The 6'4", 210-pound edge/OLB from Atlantic Coast (FL) showcased his athletic ceiling and long frame throughout 1-on-1 drills, consistently winning with burst, leverage, and bend off the edge. His ability to redirect inside and deliver violent finishes stood out as one of the more complete performances of the day among edge prospects."
"Hayward is a prototype hybrid defender who thrives as both a stand-up edge rusher and a space-covering OLB. At Notre Dame, he showed advanced timing off the snap, length to keep linemen off his frame, and closing speed that gave quarterbacks no time to reset. He's particularly effective when looping inside or crashing down the line, showing controlled aggression and strong tackling technique. What makes Hayward unique is his ability to cover the middle of the field while still maintaining his identity as a true pressure creator. With continued physical development, Hayward is emerging as one of Florida's most intriguing edge defenders in the 2027 cycle. His performance at Notre Dame was the kind that catches the attention of Power Five recruiters."
Two independent Six Star Football scouting reports identify the same core traits: violent hands, high motor, burst off the line, and the ability to convert speed to power. Both reports note his academic profile (3.9 GPA), multi-sport background, and javelin record as markers of an elite all-around athlete. The Notre Dame report specifically identifies him as "one of Florida's most intriguing edge defenders in the 2027 cycle" — language typically reserved for rated prospects.
WHY RECRUIT
ISRAEL HAYWARD
Israel Hayward is an uncommitted Class of 2027 Defensive End from Atlantic Coast High School in Jacksonville, Florida. He stands 6 feet 4 inches and weighs 215 pounds, with a 77-inch wingspan and 10-inch hand span — measurements that exceed NFL draft benchmarks for the position. He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds, verified at a Boston College football camp, giving him pass-rusher speed at edge rusher size. As a junior he bench pressed 225 lbs for 13 repetitions, establishing point-of-attack strength before his senior development cycle. He carries a 4.05 GPA and is a 2-time Under Armour Next invite-only camp attendee (2025 and 2026). His 2025 camp résumé includes West Virginia, Notre Dame, Illinois, Nebraska, Boston College, and Miami — all Power Four or independent FBS programs. He is the son of NFL Defensive End Reggie Hayward (9 seasons, 39.5 career sacks, Jacksonville Jaguars / Denver Broncos) and the brother of Samuel Hayward, the highest-ranked recruit in West Point football history.
A 4.6 forty at 6'4" and 215 lbs is pass-rusher speed. The average FBS defensive end runs a 4.73. Israel is 0.13 seconds faster — a gap that translates directly to first-step wins off the edge. Speed is the hardest thing to coach. He already has it.
A 77-inch wingspan on a 6'4" frame means he is longer than his height — a rare trait that disrupts throwing lanes, extends his pass-rush reach, and makes him difficult to block in tight angles. His 10-inch hands allow him to control blockers and disengage cleanly.
At 215 lbs as a junior, Israel projects to 240–255 lbs of college-ready mass without sacrificing the 4.6 speed. His multi-sport track background (javelin, #4 in Florida) confirms functional explosion — not just weight room numbers. He is adding mass, not chasing it.
| Height | 6'4" (76 inches) |
| Weight | 215 lbs |
| Wingspan | 77 inches |
| Hand Span | 10 inches |
| 40-Yard Dash | 4.6 sec · verified Boston College |
| Bench Press | 225 lbs × 13 reps · junior year |
| GPA | 4.05 |
| Status | Uncommitted · Available |
RECRUITING
FAQ
NIL READY
Israel is open to NIL partnerships aligned with academic growth, athletic development, and community. A 4.05 GPA, business management focus, and professional family background make him a credible, low-risk partner for brands that value character as much as exposure.
ONE-PAGE
PDF
A printable one-page recruiting snapshot for coaching staff to share internally — stats, film links, contact info, and family background on one sheet.
RECRUIT
ISRAEL
HAYWARD
College coaches and recruiting coordinators may contact Israel directly using the form or information below. Film is available on Hudl. All recruiting inquiries are returned promptly.
COACHING STAFF INQUIRY
Open to NIL partnerships aligned with academic and athletic development.
AS SEEN
ACROSS THE WEB
Israel Hayward is indexed and listed across every major recruiting platform. These authoritative sources confirm his profile — and link back to his full recruiting story here.
IN THEIR
OWN WORDS
Camp performances, coach evaluations, and recruiting coverage — verified directly from X/Twitter. These posts confirm Israel's camp résumé, performance results, and trainer endorsements.
At the Boston College football camp (2025), Israel Hayward went 6-for-6 in one-on-one pass rush reps — winning every rep — and had his 40-yard dash timed at 4.6 seconds by BC coaching staff. That is the same camp where BC coaches measured, evaluated, and verified his speed on record.