Previewing the 2025 season for Penn State RB Tikey Hayes with his player profile
Going into the 2025 football season, Nittany Lions Wire will examine each player listed on the Penn State roster. Over the preseason, each profile will cover the player's background, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for James Franklin this season.
The newest addition to Penn State's running back room, freshman Tikey Hayes enrolled on campus early and has already hit the ground running. During a recent media availability, Franklin said "He's tough. This isn't too big for him. So a lot of things to like about him, a lot of things to like about him that have showed up already." Hayes saw limited playing time in the team's annual Spring Game but was able to get his first touches in Beaver Stadium ahead of his first college season.
Preseason Player Profile
Hometown: Aliquippa, Pennsylvania
Height: 5-11
Weight: 205 lb
Class in 2025: Freshman
Recruiting Rankings
Class of 2024: 4-star recruit by Rivals, 3-star recruit by 247Sports, On3 and ESPN, No. 32 running back (247Sports)
Hayes was on the border between a 3- and 4-star per recruiting services. He put up big numbers at Aliquippa High School, leading to an offer from the Nittany Lions. After several visits to campus, he decided to commit, even after Ja'Juan Seider's departure.
Depth Chart Overview
Coming in as a true freshman, Hayes has his work cut out for him. Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen will hold down the top two spots on the depth chart, while players like Corey Smith, Quinton Martin and Cam Wallace battle for the next spots. Still, Hayes is off to a good start and may become a larger contributor in the coming years.
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