True freshman RB earning praise for ‘incredibly impressive’ start to Penn State football career

Former Aliquippa star Tikey Hayes has only been in Happy Valley for two months, but the young running back is already standing out within the Penn State football program. Speaking to the media this week, Nittany Lions strength coach Chuck Losey singled out the early enrollee as one of the newcomers making a strong first impression.

“Tikey Hayes has been incredibly impressive so far,” Losey stated. “He’s wired right; everything he does is important to him.”

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Hayes, the nephew of Penn State cornerbacks coach Terry Smith and the cousin of former Nittany Lions running back Tank Smith, is coming off a productive high school career in western Pennsylvania. Rushing for over 2,000 yards as a sophomore and junior, Hayes earned WPIAL Player of the Year and Mr. PA Football honors in 2023. He ran for 1,022 yards and 17 scores as a senior, capping off his career with 99 rushing touchdowns.

A four-star prospect in the 247Sports Composite Rankings, Hayes is one of 16 members of the 2025 recruiting class who early enrolled this January.

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