A former Pitt Panthers defensive end, now at Texas A&M, made it crystal clear why he stepped away from his hometown school. In an honest interview, he didn’t sugarcoat his decision. He wasn’t confident in the direction of the program as he headed into what could have been his final college football season. “I just didn’t believe we could win right now,” he said. Adding, “We were still in a developmental stage, and I couldn’t afford to wait around.”

Despite his departure, the Pitt program showed its commitment to him with a lucrative NIL offer. The collective supporting Pitt athletes put forward one of the highest-paying deals on the team for the 2024 season. So, the message was clear—they valued him highly and believed he had the potential to be a standout. But for this player, the future called elsewhere. And now, Texas A&M DE Dayon Hayes, one of the top NIL-earning college football stars, melts hearts with a large donation.

On May 4, Prospect Media dropped a heartwarming headline—Dayon Hayes just made his old neighborhood proud. The Texas A&M defensive end pulled up to Faison Elementary in Homewood with gifts that lit up the room. He handed out bicycles 🚲, video games 🎮, and topped it off with a generous $6,000 check for the students. A proud Westinghouse alum and now a key Aggie, Dayon is proving that giving back never goes out of style. To be honest, in his final year of college ball, he’s not just chasing wins—he’s making memories where it all began.

Dayon Hayes may not have an official On3 NIL valuation just yet, but don’t let that fool you—his name is gaining serious traction. Based on his talent, experience, and rising profile, experts estimate his NIL value could sit anywhere between $10K and $50K per year. That’s in line with top-tier defensive talent at the college level. Right now, with his move to Texas A&M, the spotlight just got brighter. His game, his brand, and his community impact all point to an upward trend. And let’s not forget—NIL valuations can change fast. One standout season, one viral moment, and Hayes could be climbing even higher.

But Dayon Hayes isn’t just a beast on the field—he’s building a legacy off it too. Giving back to his community shows the kind of heart that can turn a solid player into a college football star. Now suiting up for Texas A&M, Hayes brings serious heat from the edge. In 2023 at Pitt, he lit it up with 45 tackles, 10.5 for loss, 4 sacks, and a forced fumble in 12 games. A quick stop at Colorado in 2024 saw him rack up 16 tackles and 2 sacks in just four games. With stats like that and a heart of gold, Hayes is ready to dominate on a whole new level.

And now, as the standout DE gears up to make his mark with the Aggies, his position at Texas A&M will be defensive end, where he’s expected to bring serious edge pressure and veteran leadership.

The defensive situation of Texas A&M

Texas A&M’s defensive front took a major hit — but in the best way possible. Three of Mike Elko’s starting linemen from 2024 heard their names called early in the 2025 NFL Draft. Star EDGE Shemar Stewart led the way, going 17th overall to the Bengals. Not far behind, Nic Scourton landed with the Panthers at No. 51, while Shemar Turner joined the Bears at No. 62. That’s a power trio gone in just two rounds. Now, it’s up to Elko and his trusted D-line minds, Tony Jerod-Eddie and Sean Spencer, to reload the trenches and find the next wave of Aggie disruptors.

But after spring ball, Texas A&M’s defensive line is buzzing with new energy. Offseason transfers Dayon Hayes and Tyler Onyedim (from Iowa State) made serious noise in the Maroon & White spring game, flashing their potential off the edge. Run-stopping duties will fall to veterans like DJ Hicks and Albert Regis, but when it comes to hunting QBs, keep your eyes on Rylan Kennedy, T.J. Searcy, Cashius Howell, and more. So, this group is stacked with speed, power, and something to prove — and they’re coming for the spotlight in 2025.

Right now, with this stacked D-line, it’s game on for Texas A&M. Will they dominate the trenches and make a run for the national title? Time to see if all the pieces fall into place for a championship season.