Vols legacy prospect Dallan Hayden names Tennessee to top four

Tennessee is in the hunt for a top in-state prospect in the class of 2022 — one with a familiar name. Dallan Hayden, the second son of former Tennessee running back Aaron Hayden, is the 7th ranked player in the state currently for next year’s cycle. Naturally, Hayden is considering following in his father’s footsteps.

Aaron played for Tennessee from 1991-1994, rushing for over 2,000 yards. His first son Chase chose to attend Arkansas before opting to transfer to East Carolina. Now it’s Dallan’s turn to choose a school, and he’s got the Volunteers in his top four.

Hayden told the Commercial Appeal that his top schools consisted of Tennessee, Florida State, Auburn and Virginia Tech.

On the field, Hayden does a little bit of everything. As a sophomore, he ran for 466 yards and four touchdowns. He also recorded 27 tackles on defense. Hayden mentioned the Tennessee staff’s success with defensive backs as one reason he’s considering them, outside of the obvious family history.

“They have a good coaching staff,” Hayden told the Commercial Appeal. “(Defensive backs Derrick Ansley) coach coached at Alabama and coached guys like Minkah Fitzpatrick and Marlon Humphrey.”

Ansley is the lead recruiter on Hayden’s case for Tennessee.

Hayden is currently a three-star prospect, according to 247Sports, but his offer list is loaded. Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, Mississippi State, South Carolina and Texas A&M are a few of his other offers to this point.

Tennessee offered Hayden in July of 2018. He’s been on campus for several visits to this point, including a few camps and attending the Georgia game last fall. The 5-11, 192 pound athlete is certainly a name to remember for the 2022 cycle.