Franklinton's Hayes Creel has signed a National Letter of Intent to play football for McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Hayes will play for first-year head coach Gary Goff after former coach Frank Wilson returned to LSU for a job on Brian Kelly's new staff.
"I'm excited about making the change from high school to college," he said. "It's going to be a completely different style and people, but I'm looking forward to the new challenges and relationships I'm going to be able to be a part of."
At 6' 7", 300 pounds, Hayes was a two-year starter for Coach Ken Sears' St. Paul's Wolves team in Covington that finished 8-3 in 2021 before losing in the state semi-finals to Catholic High School.
Before attending St. Paul's, Hayes was a student at Bowling Green School in Franklinton from Pre-K through 8th grade.
A 4 year letterman at St. Paul's, Hayes earned numerous awards at the local and state levels. He was selected 1st team All-District in 6-5A, 1st team all St. Tammany Parish, 2nd team All-State as an offensive lineman and earned a spot on the 5A academic All-State team. He was also chosen as a WGNO Friday Night Football Scholar Athlete of the Week.
Hayes selected McNeese over offers from Northwestern State, Nicholls State, Southeastern Louisiana University, Western Carolina, Presbyterian, North Alabama and Stephen F Austin.
"I chose McNeese over my other offers because they had what I was looking for academically and athletically," Hayes said. "Also, I wanted to stay somewhere closer to home."
Hayes projects as a tackle on the collegiate level and will major in chemical engineering.
Hayes is the son of Brandon and Judge Ellen Creel. His grandparents are Philip and Anna Dell Creel of Franklinton, Bob and Carol Norman of Clinton, Mississippi and Kenny McCain of Tomnolen, Mississippi.
