Jewett Hayes, 2024 Defensive End, Commits To Virginia Football

By: Kris Wright |

The Virginia football team landed a big commitment in the class of 2024 Thursday when fast-rising prospect Jewett Hayes made the call for the Cavaliers. The Archbishop Moeller High School (Ohio) recruit became the 13th player in this cycle to choose the Hoos.

Hayes had secured multiple Power 5 offers over the last several months before picking UVA. Iowa, West Virginia, Cincinnati, Indiana, Illinois, Duke, West Virginia, and Kentucky were among the group of teams to pursue the young defensive end. The Cavaliers actually were among the later schools to join the process with an offer in late May, but they still pulled in his commitment. He visited Virginia in June.

Hayes announced his decision on social media.

The latest Cavalier commit carries a 3-star rating on Rivals.com. That continues the pattern for the 2024 class to date. All 13 players have 3-star ratings at this time. The other trend extended is the string of out-of-state commitments. Of the 13 players in the class, 10 of the 13 are from outside of Virginia and those 10 pick-ups have come in a row.

Securing Hayes’ commitment is a significant win for the Hoos. Not only did they beat out teams like Iowa and Cincinnati listed above, Hayes appears to be a perfect fit for defensive coordinator John Rudzinski’s scheme. The 6’4”, 210-pound prospect projects well into the Bandit position as a hybrid linebacker-defensive end where Chico Bennett Jr. excelled last fall.

Hayes certainly has the family pedigree to potentially blossom in that type of role. His father Jonathan played at Iowa and for the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers. His brother Jaxson Hayes plays in the NBA currently, while his mother Kristi played college basketball at Drake.

At Archbishop Moeller, Hayes posted 41 tackles last season with 8.5 tackles for loss. He had 1 sack, 4 quarterback hurries, 3 pass breakups, and 2 fumble recoveries too.

Hayes’ Hudl highlights page can be found here.