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FSU's Hayes Leaving For Draft
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Published: January 10, 2008
TALLAHASSEE - Florida State junior linebacker Geno Hayes announced Wednesday he is skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft. Hayes isn't the only Noles defensive starter leaving school early. According to his former high school coach, junior defensive tackle Letroy Guion is also entering the draft.
Hayes, who had not attended classes since the spring semester started Monday, confirmed what had been expected since the Noles lost to Kentucky in the Music City Bowl.
"It doesn't surprise me that Geno decided to go to the NFL," Coach Bobby Bowden said in a statement. "I know he has the ability to play at that level. It is just a matter of time. We will miss him."
A two-year starter, Hayes finished his junior season with 80 tackles, second on the team behind Derek Nicholson. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has Hayes rated at the fourth-best junior linebacker in the nation despite Hayes (6-foot-2, 223 pounds) being slightly undersized.
Hayes used his speed to finish the regular season with 17 1/2 tackles for loss, second in the Atlantic Coast Conference behind Virginia's Chris Long. He also had five sacks and was the only FSU defensive player to earn first-team All-ACC honors.
"This has been the toughest decision I have ever had to make," Hayes said in a statement released through the school. "I would first like to thank Coach Bowden and Coach Chuck Amato and the rest of the coaching staff for giving me all the tools I needed to become a great football player. I would also like to thank my teammates, fellow FSU students and fans for supporting me."
Guion started eight games and had 31 tackles this season. Steve Hoard, Guion's former coach at Starke Bradford High, told FSU recruiting Web site warchant.com that Guion informed him Wednesday he was leaving school.
Reporter Scott Carter can be reached at (850) 294-3088 or scarter@tampatrib.com.
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