FSU's Geno Hayes to the Bucs

Florida State's Geno Hayes just went to the Bucs with the 175th pick, and we suddenly had flashbacks to another FSU outside linebacker once drafted by the Bucs: Derrick Brooks.

Okay, maybe that's a little premature. But the 6-1, 226-pound Hayes did play weak-side linebacker for the Seminoles and was an All-ACC selection after ranking second on the team in tackles with 80.

His final season was somewhat overshadowed by off-the-field character issues stemming from an arrest from a nightclub altercation with police that resulted in three misdemeanor charges. Hayes completed a pre-trial diversion program earlier this year.

(Times photo -- Scott Keeler. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[JS]

this just keeps getting better!!!... do I see Derrick Brooks? hell yes.. speed and size.. perfect for our system... guess who was Geno's hero? #55 baby...

[TH]

in the next 3 years we may have the best LB corps in the league: Rudd the anchor, Quincy the freak black and Derrick Brook Jr. Aka Geno Hayes

[Roger]

The last paragraph about off-the-field character issues pretty much kills any comparison to Brooks.

[Lewis]

I'm not as concerned about the character issues because Brooks will be his mentor (and already is his hero). I doubt Geno will want to disappoint "the man".

[JH]

When the Bucs traded down, they lost out on getting Marcus Howard from Georgia. Still, Hayes seems to have good skills, and he is a junior, so he may be placed on the practice squad and learn from Brooks. The description above does not indicate that he has had some injuries. Can we get some more information on that, Stephen?

[John P]

Geno Hayes is going to make this team - and he's going to be around for a while. How he fell to the 6th round is beyond me. Free Shoes U and character issues or not - he's a VERY good linebacker.

[JS]

why would you put this guy in the practice squad? no way... he is better in special teams during his learning period then hopefully he becomes a starter..

[v]

good pick; at the very least he's going to be a contributor on special teams. He *could* develop into a good cover-2 LB, so who knows.

[Andrew]

Great Pick.

[El Guapo]

As I recall Derrick Brooks was also #10 at FSU?

[JH]

I stand corrected. I hope that Hayes makes the team in any capacity whether it be special teams or whatever. But look at all the weakside linebackers on the team. The problem is that he will be competing with other weakside linebackers. Derrick Brooks is a lock as the starter. His likely successor is Cato June. In addition, last year, the team invested a third round pick in Quincy Black and a sixth round in Adam Hayward, and the Bucs brought in LBs Matt McCoy and Leon Joe. So, Hayes will most likely be special teams or practice squad.

[Sss]

I agree with you JH. Gruden collects qbs and monte collects LBs. Don't forget we have Rudd and Teddy Lehman. I say we carry 7 lbs. Brooks, rudd, june, black, lehman, hayward and hayes.

[Girls Who Track Player's Numbers]

Yeah, he wore the same number so he must be just like him on the field too!

PS) I also like to look at what color uniforms the players wear

[JD]

Slow down there, Carson Kressley. I think Guapo was just asking a simple question about the numbers and not making a player comparison.

Yes, he did wear #10 - when he was being recruited, Derrick personally offered to dust off the previously unworn (since he left) number if he wanted to play at FSU.

[Matthew]

JD, you have no idea what you are talking about.

Derrick Brooks wore #10 from 1991 to 1994.

Since he left, Dan Kendra wore #10 from 1995 to 1999, Rich Maher also wore it in 1999, Stanford Samuels wore it from 2000 to 2003, and Lorne Same wore it in 2004.

[Boltz25]

A running back? We should have taken Marcus Monk from Arkansas. He is 6'4", 220lbs., and ran a 4.4 40 at the combine. He was injured last year at Ark., but this is the type of risk you take with a 7th round pick. This is actually the 1st pick to bother me in this draft. We need playmakers at the WR position.

[Mike]

Very good pick although you should be shot for comparing him to DB already. i love the pick (I'm a Gator) if nothing else for the fact that the protege has the oppportunity of a lifetimein being draftedbby the team whom his role model plays for. the kid is undersized but has skills and speed. Special teams standout next year!

[ben bolt fan]

The special teams is better now and he could double as a safety. This guy is a takle machine and fast!

[Mike]

Get over it. The only valid comparison is that both these players went to FSU, play linebacker and wore #10 in college.

After that everything else is a reach. Brooks was a first round draft pick, he was expected to succeed. If this guy makes the team after his second year, it will be a big accomplishment.

Love the pick. He will be a great fit in the D.

[LL]

I think that was a great pick. Yes, he is a good person. Yes, Derrick Brroks is his and many others mentor. He will be fine. "Positive output inturn brings Positive input". You'll be great Geno. You can't put all your weight on what people says.

Lets not forget that Geno promised to "crush teebow's hopes and dreams". He'll fit in perfectly with our bucs deefnse...and hopefully get another shot at teebow one day.