Arizona football held its media-day event Sunday, and it was the first time incoming freshmen and newcomers were made available to reporters.
Throughout the week, Star reporters Michael Lev and Zack Rosenblatt will bring you a Q&A with a different newcomer.
Todayβs subject: freshman Isaiah Hayes, whoβs competing for meaningful playing time at safety.
BIO BASICS:
- Height/weight: 6-0, 180
- Position: Safety
- From: Calabasas, California
- Rating: 3 stars (Scout.com)
ISAIAH SAYS:
On following in the footsteps of his father, Chris Hayes, who played in the NFL from 1996-02: βMy dad always tried to talk me and my brothers out of playing football. Mostly, he just wanted us to do what we wanted to do. He wanted us to enjoy life. He knows what you have to put in to play football, the lifestyle and all that. He really tried to talk us out of playing football. He kind of failed at that."
On what heβs learned about football from his dad: βTalking to him about playing football, itβs an amazing thing. Just hearing his stories and how he took things, how he was going through the same exact things Iβm going through. His experience and how he overcame adversity. Itβs nice."
On whether his dad still coaches him: βHeβll coach me up on things. When he came and watched practice (Saturday), he had his adjustments and his corrections for me. I took them. I love his criticism. I love his coaching. It always makes me better. Itβs been making me better since I started playing football. He always makes sure Iβm out there having fun.β
On the advantages of enrolling in spring: βI felt like I had an advantage playbook-wise, physically and mentally and spiritually. Because I was comfortable. In spring I got all those jitters and stuff out. I knew what to expect in fall camp. I knew how the coaches were.
"One thing I learned in spring coming into fall was my body β how to recover. The weight-room coach, Chris Allen, and Parker (Whiteman) have done an amazing job of showing me (how to) recover my body while building it up and pushing it through its limits. Coming into fall camp, I was pretty confident and very comfortable in what I was doing. So all I had to do was come out and perform.β
On academics being important in the Hayes household: βMy mom has always been on me about academics. Football is a privilege. But academics come first. Thatβs another transition I had coming in. I had to go through school and spring practice. Having to study film and my playbook here in the football facility and having to study in school was a big transition. So I got used to that too.β
On his dad advising him that football is fleeting: βHe does. Youβre only one play away. I donβt really tend to think about those things. I just go out on the football field and have fun, give thanks to the Lord and do what Iβm coached to do. Just take advantage of every day. Enjoy this life that we have.β
