A year ago, Penn State commit Adam McLean showed up in Oregon for The Opening with an intricate Nittany Lions logo shaved into the back of his head. The haircut earned McLean national attention, though it didn’t lead him to Happy Valley in the end; he later de-committed and signed with in-state Maryland in February. Now another top prospect is following McLean’s lead, expressing his love for his chosen school with a fly haircut that still looked pristine on arrival.
The recruit in question is Daelin Hayes, a linebacker pledge to USC. The Michigan native, who suits up for Skyline High, arrived in Oregon with a large interlocking SC shaved into the back left side of his scalp.
There’s no concern at USC that Hayes might continue to follow McLean’s lead and reverse course away from the Trojans, though the scholarship offers he holds from in-state Michigan and Michigan State, as well as Notre Dame, might provide them with a bit of discomfort.
Now, the next time head coach Steve Sarkisian feels concerned about the security of Hayes’ decision, he can just take a look at the photo above and feel a strong sartorially-based wave of comfort.