UT gains commitment from one of the nation's top rising prospects
When it comes to recruiting, Shaka Smart and his staff have trusted their evaluations, and haven’t hesitated to make a move when they like a prospect. That helped them gain commitments from Jericho Sims, Andrew Jones, Matt Coleman, James Banks, Jase Febres, and it helped them again Friday when 2018 rising big man Jaxson Hayes announced his commitment to Texas.
How early? Well, the Longhorns jumped into the recruitment in July, but Hayes actually met Smart years ago when the coach was at VCU and the player was way younger, and way shorter. Hayes actually has a picture taken with Smart on the court after the game.
“It was pretty funny because we were about the same height then,” said Hayes with a laugh when asked about he and Smart discussing the photo now.
One of the most intriguing prospects in the 2018 class, Hayes, who is listed at 6-10 but is probably 6-11, saw his stock begin to soar in July. High-major programs soon jumped into the mix as Hayes’s rare blend of size, length, and skill caught the attention of college coaches. A product of Moeller High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, Hayes’s background prior to his growth spurt shows in his game, and has now led to him becoming one of the nation’s biggest risers.
“They were one of the first ones,” said Hayes about Texas making him a priority. “They really fit me the best. Coach Smart… he’s so such a great guy. So easy to trust him. I really enjoyed getting to know coach (Darrin) Horn too.”
His recruitment focused primary on local schools like Dayton, Illinois, Xavier, Purdue, and most recently Kentucky, who offered a little while back. But Texas made an aggressive move early and stood out as the one program that wasn’t from his region. And it stood out even more during his official visit to Austin.
“The coaching staff… first thing when I got off the plane coach (Shaka) Smart and coach (Darrin) Horn were there and the rest of the coaching staff was there to get my luggage,” said Hayes, who rated the visit a perfect 10 of 10. “The guys have a great team… A good team atmosphere. Really great guys. Really fun getting to hang out with them. I really got close to them and the coaches.”
When Hayes left Austin, he couldn’t stop thinking about the Longhorn program. His parents had a 48-hour commitment rule post-visits, which might remind some Longhorns fans of Mack Brown’s approach back in the day. After the 48 hours wore off, Hayes still was really excited about Texas.
“I felt it after my visit but it’s been probably the past week and a half. I haven’t been able to get it off my mind,” said Hayes about when he knew he wanted to be a Longhorn.
Hayes, whose father is the tight ends coach for the Cincinnati Bengals and was actually born in Norman, Oklahoma, knows that he needs to be developed. Like all top prospects, he wants to play early, but understands how much improvement he can make and needs to. That was one of the appeals of Texas given its past in developing bigs.
“They just showed us a lot of stats from when coach (Smart) got to Texas; two guys that they developed that they were seniors in Smart’s first year. Their stats were a lot lower and then got better with the new staff,” stated Hayes, alluding to Prince Ibeh and Cameron Ridley. “They showed how Jarrett Allen developed during his season, how his numbers got better in conference play. Told me how I’d be a perfect fit how they let the bigs that can shoot from outside shoot. That’s a pretty big part for me - style of play they have.”
Now, Smart, bigs coach Darrin Horn, and the recent of the Texas staff will have another extremely intriguing big man to work with and develop. Hayes is just scratching the surface of what he could become as a player, and the flashes right now are occasionally brilliant and suggest a very high ceiling.
“The development piece with the coaches and the guys,” said Hayes about what stood out most about Texas. “I know I’m still young. I’m still growing into my body. I feel like a big piece for me would be the development. I’m pretty athletic. I can run the floor well for my size. Can change shots around the rim and can finish."
Hayes likely isn't done growing, and could play at 7-0 at the collegiate level. What stands out most is his skill for a guy so tall. He shows a nice shooting touch and stroke at the free throw line, and that will eventually extend out to the mid-range and maybe even beyond. Also, Hayes has solid passing skill, and a surprising handle for a player his size. There's no doubt he'll have to add strength at the collegiate level, and that will take time. When he does, he could emerge as a good rebounder, and his length and athleticism combination should lead to impressive shot-blocking ability.
The three-star prospect joins Texas commitments Gerald Liddell and Brock Cunnigham to form a three-person 2018 class. However, expect that class to grow, perhaps even to five. The Longhorns remain in strong or better shape for Keldon Johnson, Kamaka Hepa, and Quentin Grimes. With the nature of early, and sometimes unpredictable, departures to the NBA Draft and gigantic transfer lists, college basketball’s roster movement affects every program. As for Hayes, he hasn’t been given any names from Texas, but knows where he wants to start.
“They haven’t told me that but I’m trying to get Quentin and Keldon some,” he said about recruiting for Texas. “I’m excited.”