Hayes, a native of Muscle Shoals, Ala., started 54 consecutive games at tight end for the UNA football team from 1992-95. He played for UNA teams with a combined 48-5-1 record that included three straight GSC titles and three straight NCAA Division II National Championships. As a senior in 1995, Hayes was selected first-team All-Gulf South Conference, first-team CoSIDA NCAA Division II All-South Region, participated in the Snow Bowl NCAA Division II All-Star Game, was selected third-team CoSIDA NCAA Division II All- American and  honorable mention Football Gazette All-American.

He was selected as a permanent team captain and was later named to the Gulf South Conference "Team of the Quarter Century" for 1971-95, the Gulf South Conference Team of the 1990s and the 50th Anniversary UNA Football Team  for 1949-98. 

He closed his career with 21 catches for 450 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for three touchdowns. Hayes was drafted and signed by the Arizona Cardinals following his senior season. He currently resides in Decatur, Ala., and is married with three children. For the last nine years he has worked in youth ministry with troubled teens.