Tribute to Vanderbilt's Casey Hayward

Nine Vanderbilt seniors make up the first class to ever play in two bowl games during their Commodore careers. Leading up to the Liberty Bowl, VandyMania.com will look back on each senior's career. In this segment Casey Hayward is featured.

THE BASICS:

Casey Hayward

Hometown: Perry, Ga.

High school: Perry

Position: CB

HT: 5-11 WT: 188

Chose Vanderbilt over: Troy.

OVERVIEW:

Casey Hayward is a monument to the previous staff's ability to find hidden gems. Lightly recruited in high school, Hayward not only turned out to be a great football player, he was an instant impact player. He played in every game during the 2008 bowl season and actually played more in the Music City Bowl than any other game. Hayward made a good accounting of himself in that game finishing with four tackles and two passes broken up. The Georgia native has a long list of honors. He was a recipient of the Most Valuable Defensive Back Award after the 2009 season and earned All-SEC honors following the 2010 and 2011 season. Recently Hayward earned a very prestigious honor when he was named a Walter Camp All-American. Hayward continues to pile up interceptions. He has five this season for a total of 13 for his career. He has one more game to add to his tally of picks.

BEST MOMENT:

Earlier this season with his team trailing Connecticut 21-14 in the fourth quarter, Hayward picked off a Husky pass and then returned it 50 yards for a touchdown.

MEMORABLE QUOTE:

"I feel like we have the potential to win every game that we play because it's 0-0 at the start of the game. Four plays seems like it's the difference of every game, if we have four plays be the difference and our plays are better, then we have a chance to win." Hayward at SEC Media Days, July 22, 2011.

HONORS:

2011: Walter Camp All-America; 2010, 2011: 2nd Team All-SEC (Coaches); 2010, 2011: 2nd Team All-SEC (AP)

CAREER STATS:

Tackles: 190
Tackles for loss (assist) 4
Tackles for loss (solo): 15
Interceptions: 13
Int. return yards: 115
Int. return TDs: 1
Pass breakups: 30
Forced fumbles: 2
QB hurries: 1
Rushes: 5
Rushing yardage: 60
Punt returns: 1
Punt return yards: 12
Kickoff returns: 1
Kickoff return yards: 11

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