Ryan Hayes Bio
Ryan Hayes (born February 28, 2000) is an American professional football offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for the Michigan Wolverines, where he earned back-to-back Second-team All-Big Ten honors, Hayes was selected in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He has since moved across several organizations and currently plays for the Tennessee Titans.
Standing 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) and listed at 303 lb (137 kg), Hayes has spent his early professional career working to establish himself as a depth offensive lineman. His career has included stints with the Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, and now the Tennessee Titans.
Early Life and Background
Ryan Hayes was born on February 28, 2000, in Traverse City, Michigan. He grew up in the Traverse City area and attended Traverse City West Senior High School, where he developed into a multi-sport athlete. At Traverse City West, he played basketball, baseball, and football, showcasing his athleticism across several disciplines.
On the football field, Hayes was a two-way player who earned all-state recognition as both a tight end and a defensive end. His size and skill set helped him become a four-star recruit and a nationally ranked high school prospect, with recruiting outlets listing him as the No. 10 offensive tackle in the nation. During his recruitment, he received scholarship offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, TCU, Vanderbilt, and Virginia.
Choosing to stay in his home state, Hayes committed to the University of Michigan, where he would go on to develop into one of the most decorated offensive linemen in the program’s recent history.
Path to the NFL
Hayes enrolled at Michigan in 2018 but did not appear in any games during his first season. Before his sophomore year, head coach Jim Harbaugh announced that Hayes would serve as a backup offensive lineman behind Jalen Mayfield and Jon Runyan Jr., setting the stage for his development along the Wolverines’ offensive front.
As a sophomore in 2019, Hayes played in 12 games on the offensive line, including two starts. He made his collegiate debut on August 31, 2019, against Middle Tennessee, starting at left tackle in place of the injured Runyan. He later settled into the role of swing tackle once Runyan returned to health. In 2020, his junior season was shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, and he started the first two games at left tackle before missing the remainder of the year due to injury.
As a senior in 2021, Hayes started all 14 games at left tackle and helped lead an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks (10) and the third-fewest tackles for loss (27) nationally. That season, Michigan’s offensive line won the Joe Moore Award, and Hayes was named Second-team All-Big Ten. In 2022, he started 11 games as a graduate student and helped the line win a second consecutive Joe Moore Award, earning another Second-team All-Big Ten selection. He accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl on November 21, 2022, helping to set up his transition to the professional level.
Ryan Hayes Career
Miami Dolphins (2023)
Ryan Hayes was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round, 238th overall, of the 2023 NFL Draft. His time with the Dolphins to start his professional career was brief, as he was waived on August 29, 2023, during final roster cuts.
Just one day later, on August 30, 2023, Hayes was claimed off waivers by the Indianapolis Colts. He was again waived on September 19, 2023, as teams continued to shape their opening-week rosters.
Indianapolis Colts and Return to Miami (2023)
Hayes’ brief stop with the Colts did not result in a long-term role, and he returned to the Miami Dolphins on September 22, 2023, when he was signed to the team’s practice squad. He remained with the Dolphins organization through the rest of the 2023 season and into 2024, signing a reserve/future contract on January 15, 2024.
In 2024, Hayes was waived/injured by the Dolphins on August 27, 2024, before being re-signed to the practice squad on November 6, 2024. He went on to sign another reserve/future contract with Miami on January 7, 2025, but was waived on August 26, 2025, as part of the Dolphins’ final roster cuts.
Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans (2025-2026)
On August 28, 2025, Ryan Hayes was signed to the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad, beginning a new chapter of his career. The move gave him an opportunity to continue his development within a different offensive system and coaching staff.
On February 17, 2026, Hayes signed a reserve/futures contract with the Tennessee Titans, joining the organization ahead of the new league year. He is currently listed as an active offensive tackle on the Titans’ roster, wearing No. 72.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hayes’ college career included two consecutive Joe Moore Award-winning seasons in 2021 and 2022, recognizing Michigan as the top offensive line in college football during those years. He also earned Second-team All-Big Ten honors in both of those seasons. In the NFL, he has appeared in at least one career game as of the 2024 season, per official league statistics.
Ryan Hayes Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, Ryan Hayes’ statistical impact is measured less by traditional win totals and more by his role in supporting team offenses, pass protection, and run blocking. Verified career statistics available through the 2024 NFL season list one game played. Detailed breakdowns of games started, individual grades, or specific win contributions at the professional level are not widely available.
College Highlights
At the University of Michigan, Hayes started a combined 25 games across his final two seasons (14 in 2021 and 11 in 2022). He was a key contributor on offensive lines that won back-to-back Joe Moore Awards and earned two Second-team All-Big Ten selections of his own. His development from a two-star recruit in 2018 to a multi-year starter and Senior Bowl invitee marked the highlight of his football journey to that point.
Ryan Hayes Family
Personal Life
Public information about Ryan Hayes’ personal and family life is limited. He is known to have grown up in Traverse City, Michigan, where he attended Traverse City West Senior High School before continuing his football career at the University of Michigan. No further verified details about his parents, spouse, or children are available.
2025 Season Performance
Ryan Hayes’ 2025 season began with his time on the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad after being signed on August 28, 2025, following his release from the Miami Dolphins. As a practice squad offensive lineman, his role focused on continued development and readiness to be elevated to the active roster when needed.
On February 17, 2026, Hayes signed a reserve/futures contract with the Tennessee Titans, positioning him to compete for a depth role on the offensive line heading into the 2026 NFL season. His transition between three organizations in roughly a year reflects the movement common among young offensive linemen seeking stability and a chance to compete.
Looking ahead, Hayes’ 2026 outlook with the Titans will depend on his performance in offseason training, his fit within Tennessee’s offensive scheme, and his ability to contribute on special teams or as a swing tackle. As an active member of the Titans’ roster, he enters the new league year with an opportunity to build on his professional foundation.
