OKEECHOBEE – From potential tragedy to sheer triumph, Tyrone Hayes has been through a lot in his high school football years with Okeechobee.
The Brahmans ‘24 wide receiver/cornerback overcame a multitude of injuries over the past two seasons to earn All-Star status as a senior.
“He is a hard working man,” Okeechobee ‘24 athlete Carriss Johns said of Hayes. “He is always looking forward to getting better each and every day not only as a player, but as an individual as well.”
In nine games this past season, Hayes recorded the following statistics:
OFFENSE
•115 total yards (101 receiving, 14 rushing)
•1 touchdown
DEFENSE
•20 total tackles (16 solo, 4 assist)
•3 pass breakups
•2 interceptions
•1 forced fumble
Best single-game performance: Week 8 in 33-7 win over Port St. Lucie
OFFENSE
•35-yards touchdown catch from ‘24 ATH Ni’Marion Bryant
DEFENSE
•3 tackles, 1 pass breakup, 1 forced fumble
Hayes spoke on his overall performance against Port St. Lucie.
“I feel like the Port Saint Lucie game was probably my best game of the season, but also the most fun game of the season,” the 5-foot-10, 180-pound two way player said.
“We worked hard all week up until that point and I was kinda getting discouraged, knowing I hadn’t reached the end zone yet,” Hayes continued. “But I told myself during pre-game that I would get in and to not worry. Once the game started and I settled in, I felt like it was my moment. I scored the touchdown early in the game, which kind of just set the mood for me on the defensive side of the ball. But I want to let it be known that my accomplishments wouldn’t be possible without my brothers, who helped me on the field and off.”
Hayes did not stop there.
“Another factor in helping boost my performance that game and another game in the season was my defensive backs coach Dallas Alderman,” Hayes said. “He kept me level-headed, even on that day. He spoke to me and let me know to just go out there and do what I do and don’t think too much about it.”
Hayes reflected on his senior season with the Brahmans (6-4 final record in 2023).
“I feel like my senior season could have been better as far as my approach to different adversities and situations,” Hayes said. “I loved being able to play for my hometown and beside my brothers one last time before I take my next step in life and move up to another level, where it becomes even more serious than it was in high school. What could have gone differently is I could have been a better leader and set better examples for my teammates in certain situations. But other than that, my goal on the field was to show them to never quit when games get hard. You gotta push through. So with that being said, if I could change anything, I would change my approaches and be a better leader.”
ALL-STAR STATUS
The senior season for Hayes led to two things.
First, the Brahmans skill position player was selected to play in the Treasure Coast vs. Palm Beach All-Star Game this past January. He shared his experience as a certified All-Star for the Treasure Coast.
“I actually was a honorable mention,” Hayes said of the Jan. 13 experience at Jupiter High School in Jupiter. “But someone didn’t show, so I got the chance to move on to the roster. I went down there and actually earned the starting DB (defensive back) spot. It was fun being able to play with people from around the lake (Lake Okeechobee) and be able to play with and against the best of the best. It was a fun experience.”
COLLEGE DECISION
Less than a month after the Treasure Coast vs. Palm Beach County All-Star game occurred, Hayes went on to sign his letter of intent with Palm Beach Elite Academy JUCO.
He made it official on Feb. 7.
“From Day One, they kept it 100,” Hayes said. “They didn’t play in my face about numbers and kept it real with me. They were as professional as a D1 (Division 1) when it came to the recruitment process, and I’m blessed to be a part of the program. And when it came down to it, our priorities were the same: God, academics, and the continuation of my athletics.”
Hayes will continue on the next level with Bryant and fellow teammate/classmate Santana Alvarez.
“It’s honestly a blessing,” Hayes said. “Me and Nemo [Ni’Marion Bryant] played travel football together. He was my quarterback and I was his wideout, just like for high school. Now we’re entering the college world together, so it’s honestly a blessing being able to continue to play the game I love alongside my brother and also Santana, who’s coming with us.”
Hayes delved further.
“Same thing; we all played travel together and high school,” Hayes said. “Now we’re entering college together. Not many people can say they achieved that in a brotherhood circle, so it’s definitely a blessing. And it’s exciting knowing I’ll be going to war with my brothers for the next two seasons.”
ULTIMATE RECAP MOMENTS
Hayes shared his overall high school football experience with the Okeechobee Brahmans.
“Once I entered my sophomore year in high school, I broke my hip at practice preparing for my first year of high school football,” Hayes said. “I laid on the field as the paramedics strapped me to the cart and transported me to Raulerson Hospital, where I was getting prepared to be airlifted to Palm Beach Children Hospital. I coded out twice before finally being able to breathe again. The pain was unbearable, but I kept my faith in the Most High God and whatever plan that He had prepared for me. Even through all the pain I was in, I told myself that I would make my return better than I was before. I made a promise to myself to be mentally and physically stronger upon my return to the game that I loved so much. The injury sat me out for the whole 2021-2022 season, and that season we went 0-10.”
Hayes had more to say about his Okeechobee high school football journey.
“It was a long road of recovery, but after months of not being able to work out, I started training on my own until I was finally able to rejoin my team and come back to the game of football,” Hayes said. “I was finally able to play again during the spring of the ‘23 season. Another obstacle came up during my recovery from injury. I stopped focusing on school and let my grades drop. I was pulled off the field moments before my return game, so I started focusing again on school. Once I finally got my grades up, I returned to play, but my junior season was cut short due to a knee injury, in which we went 1-9.”
Hayes wrapped up his high school experience here.
“I went back and grinded for my senior year, where I was finally able to stay healthy for the full season and be a vital impact to my team, in which we had a successful winning season,” Hayes said. “My performance for my senior year earned me a scholarship to go play football at the next level and continue my academic career for the next two years. So despite all of my hardships, trials and tribulations that I’ve been through, I feel like in the end it made me a better person on and off the field. I wouldn’t change my journey here for nothing in the world.”
PHOTO CREDITS: Izzy (Instagram)
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