Ryan Hayes Bio
Ryan Hayes is an American professional football offensive tackle who currently plays for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). Born on February 28, 2000, in Traverse City, Michigan, Hayes developed into one of the top offensive tackle prospects in the country during his high school career before attending the University of Michigan. He was drafted in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins and has since played for the Indianapolis Colts, returning to the Dolphins twice, before joining the Atlanta Falcons practice squad in 2025 and signing with the Tennessee Titans in February 2026. Hayes earned Second-team All-Big Ten honors in both 2021 and 2022 during his tenure with the Michigan Wolverines.
Early Life and Background
Ryan Hayes grew up in Traverse City, Michigan, where he attended Traverse City West Senior High School. During his high school years, Hayes distinguished himself as a remarkable two-way player, excelling at both tight end and defensive end positions. His exceptional athletic ability extended beyond football, as he also competed in basketball and baseball at the varsity level. This versatility made him a highly sought-after prospect among college programs across the nation.
Hayes proved to be one of the most talented offensive tackle recruits in the country during his senior season. He earned all-state recognition as both a tight end and defensive end, showcasing his ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball. As a four-star recruit, Hayes was ranked as the number 10 offensive tackle in the nation, attracting attention from some of the top college football programs in the country.
The competition for Hayes’s commitment was intense, with major programs extending scholarship offers. He ultimately received interest from Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, TCU, Vanderbilt, and Virginia. After carefully considering his options, Hayes decided to continue his football career close to home by enrolling at the University of Michigan in January 2018.
Path to American Football
Upon arriving at Michigan, Hayes immediately began adapting to the college-level intensity and expectations. During his freshman season in 2018, he redshirted and did not appear in any games, allowing him to adjust to the speed and physical demands of Big Ten football while developing his technique under the guidance of Michigan’s coaching staff. This developmental year proved valuable for his long-term growth as an offensive tackle.
Prior to his sophomore season in 2019, Hayes found himself in a backup role behind established starters Jalen Mayfield and Jon Runyan Jr. on the Wolverines’ offensive line. However, opportunity came knocking when he was thrust into the starting lineup. Hayes made his collegiate debut on August 31, 2019, in the season opener against Middle Tennessee. He started at left tackle in place of the injured Jon Runyan Jr., demonstrating the coaches’ confidence in his abilities despite his limited prior game experience.
Hayes played in 12 games during his sophomore campaign, earning two starts along the offensive line. Following Runyan’s return from injury, Hayes transitioned into the swing tackle role, providing critical depth and versatility to Michigan’s offensive line rotation. This adaptability would become a defining characteristic of his collegiate career, as he learned to play multiple positions along the line.
Ryan Hayes Career
Michigan Wolverines (2018–2022)
The 2020 season presented both challenges and opportunities for Hayes. He opened the season as the starting left tackle and began the first two games in that role. Unfortunately, his season was derailed by injury, and he missed the remainder of the campaign. The season was notably shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which added another layer of difficulty to his recovery and development process.
Hayes returned stronger than ever for his senior season in 2021. He started all 14 games at left tackle, anchoring an offensive line that allowed just 10 sacks throughout the entire season. The unit’s performance ranked among the best nationally, finishing third-fewest in tackles for loss allowed with only 27. His dominant play and leadership helped the Wolverines’ offense thrive, earning him Second-team All-Big Ten recognition at the conclusion of the season.
For his fifth and final year, Hayes returned to Michigan as a graduate student in 2022. Despite missing the season opener due to injury, he started 11 games and continued his excellent play. The offensive line he helped anchor allowed just 12 sacks and posted a remarkable 5.97 sack-adjusted yards per carry. His consistent excellence earned him a second consecutive Second-team All-Big Ten selection. Hayes capped off his collegiate career by accepting an invitation to the Senior Bowl, where he competed against other top senior prospects.
Professional Career and Team Transitions
Ryan Hayes entered the 2023 NFL Draft as a polished offensive tackle prospect with extensive starting experience. His patience and technique development at Michigan translated into being selected in the seventh round with the 238th overall pick by the Miami Dolphins. The selection represented the culmination of years of development from high school prospect to NFL draftee.
Hayes’s rookie season was marked by significant roster movement. He was waived by the Dolphins during final roster cuts on August 29, 2023. The Indianapolis Colts claimed him off waivers the following day, providing a brief stint with the team before he was waived again on September 19. Hayes then signed with the Dolphins’ practice squad on September 22, beginning his journey of establishing himself at the professional level.
Hayes signed a reserve/future contract with Miami on January 15, 2024, securing his spot for the following season. However, the 2024 campaign brought additional challenges, as he was waived/injured by the Dolphins on August 27, 2024. He was re-signed to the practice squad on November 6 and signed another reserve/future contract on January 7, 2025. On August 26, 2025, Hayes was waived by the Dolphins as part of final roster cuts before joining the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad on August 28.
Hayes continued his journey with the Tennessee Titans, signing a reserve/futures contract on February 17, 2026. This progression through multiple organizations demonstrates his resilience and determination to carve out a role in the NFL.
Playing Style and Strengths
Ryan Hayes brings impressive size to the offensive tackle position, standing at 6 feet 6 inches and weighing approximately 303 pounds. His length and frame make him well-suited for protecting the blind side against edge rushers in the NFL. Throughout his collegiate career, Hayes demonstrated solid footwork and the ability to mirror defenders, traits that NFL teams valued when selecting him in the draft. His experience as both a starter and swing tackle provides positional versatility that coaches appreciate when constructing offensive line depth charts.
Notable Achievements and Recognition
Hayes’s consistent excellence at Michigan earned him recognition as a two-time Second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2021 and 2022. His senior season performance, which included starting all 14 games at left tackle, proved instrumental in Michigan’s offensive success. The opportunity to compete in the Senior Bowl further validated his status among the top senior offensive tackle prospects in the country.
Ryan Hayes Career Highlights
Throughout his football career spanning high school, college, and the professional level, Hayes has accumulated notable achievements and milestones that highlight his development as an athlete and competitor. From his all-state selections in high school to his collegiate honors, Hayes has consistently demonstrated the work ethic and talent necessary to compete at the highest levels of the sport.
Collegiate Honors
Hayes’s collegiate career at Michigan featured consistent high-level performance that culminated in back-to-back Second-team All-Big Ten honors. His 2021 season stands out as particularly impressive, as he started all 14 games and helped anchor an offensive line that ranked among the nation’s best in pass protection. His ability to stay healthy and perform at a high level throughout entire seasons showcased his reliability and durability as a player.
In his final season with the Wolverines in 2022, Hayes continued his strong play despite dealing with injuries early in the year. His 11 starts demonstrated his importance to the Michigan offense and his capacity to perform through adversity. The combination of his two All-Big Ten selections and extensive starting experience made him an attractive prospect for NFL teams seeking developmental offensive line talent.
Professional Milestones
Being selected in the 2023 NFL Draft represented the realization of Hayes’s lifelong dream to play professional football. Drafted in the seventh round by the Miami Dolphins, Hayes joined an organization that saw potential in his size, athleticism, and collegiate background. The journey through multiple practice squad stints and roster transactions reflects the challenging nature of establishing oneself in the NFL, particularly for offensive linemen selected in later rounds.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a significant chapter in Ryan Hayes’s professional career as he joined the Atlanta Falcons organization. Signed to the practice squad on August 28, 2025, following his departure from the Miami Dolphins, Hayes had the opportunity to learn a new defensive scheme and potentially earn a spot on the active roster. The transition to Atlanta represented another chance to demonstrate his abilities and contribute to an NFL team.
Throughout the 2025 season, Hayes continued developing his craft within the Falcons’ practice squad environment. The experience of working with a different coaching staff and adapting to new teammates provided valuable professional growth opportunities. While practice squad players often work behind the scenes, the learning environment offers critical development time that can translate to future opportunities.
Hayes’s career trajectory exemplifies the patience and persistence required for NFL players to establish themselves in the league. Following the conclusion of the 2025 season, he signed with the Tennessee Titans in February 2026, demonstrating that teams continue to see value in his abilities. The move to Tennessee presents a fresh opportunity for Hayes to compete for a roster spot and potentially contribute on the field for a new organization.