This former Mansfield standout has been the breakout star of TCU training camp
Jacobe Hayes always wanted to play football for TCU. In fact, he planned on committing to the Horned Frogs last summer.
But things didn’t initially go as anticipated for the former Mansfield High standout, and he committed to North Texas. Hayes was set to go to Denton when TCU finally came back around in December.
“We had a nice long conversation, and I liked what I was hearing,” Hayes said of his late flip to TCU. “What’s better than Big 12 football? I took the opportunity and came here.”
Hayes was a three-star recruit, but wasn’t viewed as a top prospect; he was ranked No. 1,848 in the nation by 247Sports. He made the Star-Telegram’s All-Area second team last season after making 38 catches for 770 yards and 14 touchdowns for Mansfield, averaging 20.3 yards per reception.
He wasn’t expected to contribute immediately for TCU, but through two weeks of fall camp, Hayes has become the breakout star of the preseason.
Hayes making plays
Listed at 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds, Hayes turned heads with his speed, quick-twitch abilities in space and, most importantly, his motor.
“This was an underrecruited kid, that didn’t have a lot going on,” wide receivers coach Malcolm Kelly said. “It’s mentality with him. His mentality is what allows him to come out here and do what he does. He’s exceeded my expectations. Anytime the freshmen come in, you want them to come in and gun for the older guys and vie for playing time.
“He’s doing that every single day making plays. Even when he messes up, he’s going 1,000 miles per hour at all times, and I can work with that.”
Hayes has scored multiple touchdowns throughout camp, including a 30-plus-yard post route from Ken Seals during the Horned Frogs’ first scrimmage Sunday.
On Thursday, Hayes had an impressive sideline catch, getting two feet in to pick up a nice gain.
Hayes said this is what he envisioned when he signed with the Horned Frogs.
“Coming in, I already had my mind made up and set that whatever I play, I was going to come in and try to take some spots,” Hayes said. “I wanted to get as many reps as possible. I feel like my play has shown that I had the right mindset. I came in and did what I was supposed to do.”
Sonny Dykes praises Hayes
Kelly isn’t the only coach to be blown away by Hayes’ performance in camp. Head coach Sonny Dykes raved about Hayes and anticipates him having a role early in the season.
“The big thing about Jacobe is, he knows one speed — full speed,” Dykes said Saturday. “He competes hard on everything. I’ll be shocked if the first play against North Carolina he’s not playing, whether that’s covering kick or kickoff return in some capacity. He’s just that type of kid. He’s got a chip on his shoulder. He’s appreciative to be here. He’s been everything we thought he would be and then some.”
So what took so long for TCU to finally extend an offer to Hayes? Dykes compared his recruitment to Wes Welker, whom Dykes coached at Texas Tech.
“He came on the scene late in the recruiting process, and he’s a guy we kept watching,” Dykes said. “He came to our camp, and we were like, ‘Who is this guy?’ He’s ultracompetitive. He starred on both sides of the ball. He was probably the best corner at camp.
“Sometimes you go, well, we would like to have somebody with a little more measurables, but then this really good player presents himself. It goes back to what we did with Wes Welker. We signed Wes after signing day at Texas Tech. He came in, and the rest is history. They’re very similar in the fact they never take a lazy step on the practice field.”
Horned Frogs receiver injuries pile up
Hayes’ emergence hasn’t just been a surprise — it’s been a necessity with all the injuries TCU has dealt with at receiver. Senior Joseph Manjack, junior Major Everhart, sophomore Jordyn Bailey, sophomore Braylon James and freshman Dozie Ezukanma have all missed time in fall camp.
That created an opening for Hayes to climb up the depth chart, and he has made the most of his opportunity.
“I feel like I’ve shown my ability to play ball, whether it was scouts not recruiting me or Rivals or 247 not giving me any stars or ranking me high enough. It really didn’t matter to me. I knew what I could do,” Hayes said. “I took the opportunity, and now we’re here. I’m making plays, making a name for myself.”
Hayes has already earned a new nickname, with the media opting to call him “Juice” Hayes due to his speed, explosiveness and the juice he provides to the offense.
“Juice Hayes, I kind of like it,” he said. “Juice is a cool name.”
It took longer than he expected, but Hayes got the offer he wanted from TCU, and now he’s looking like a potential game-changer for the Horned Frogs.
