Nathan Hayes is a young, physical interior defender with starter-sized upside
In the 2026 season, Elon freshman DT Nathan Hayes has already flashed early rotational value, recording 3 total tackles in Elon’s opener while bringing a 6'2", 270-pound frame and a multi-sport, championship-tested background to the Phoenix front[4][7]. His high school résumé suggests toughness and line versatility—he helped North Cross win three VISAA DII titles and earned first-team all-state recognition on both sides of the ball—which usually translates well for a college DT who can hold ground and disrupt gaps[1]. No major injury or availability concerns show up in the available reports, so he looks like a solid fit for a team that wants an energetic, development-friendly interior lineman with room to grow into more snaps[1][3][12].
