6/30/2016 football Edit

Purdue lands one of its top wide receiver targets

Brian Neubert • BoilerUpload

GoldandBlack.com staff

More: Purdue 2017 commitments | C.J. Hayes video interview ($)| Analysis ($)

Wide receiver stands as one of Purdue's most pressing needs for its 2017 recruiting class.

C.J. Hayes has been one of its biggest priorities toward that need.

The Boilermaker coaching staff got its man Thursday, as the Rivals.com three-star prospect from Bowling Green, Ky., committed, giving Purdue its seventh commitment for 2017.

"Me and the coaches have a great relationship," Hayes said. "Coach (Gerad) Parker, Coach (Darrell) Hazell and Coach (Terry Malone), we have a great relationship. It's a great fit. Me and my family talked about it for a while and thought it was a great fit. I talked to the coaches a lot and they seem to really care about me. It's a great family atmosphere and you can't beat the top-notch academics there."

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound athlete - he was recruited by Purdue and most others for wide receiver - chose Purdue over offers from Toledo, Western Kentucky, Cincinnati and a dozen-plus others, as well as continued interest from Michigan State, Louisville and others.

Hayes' commitment is Purdue's first blow toward stands as its biggest need for 2017: Wide receivers. The Boilermakers will lose four seniors, including all of its likely 2016 starters.

"They plan to play me as a freshman because they have four graduating seniors," Hayes said. "They made a little timetable for me. In the first season, they said they think I can be an All-Big Ten freshman, about 30 catches, things like that. Little things like that, it makes you want to go there even more."

Purdue will need receivers to step in immediately in 2017. At the very least, Hayes should be physically equipped to do so. And he will be confident.

"I don't really doubt my ability or my preparation," Hayes said.

The Rivals.com three-star prospect from South Warren High School in Bowling Green, Ky., listed Toledo, Illinois and Syracuse as his other finalists, while Michigan State and Louisville were among those remaining interested, working to try to hold him off from making an early commitment elsewhere.

"I wanted to get into my high school season able to play relaxed and stress-free," Hayes said, "and see what happens then."

Hayes, who plays baseball, earned some of his scholarship offers as a safety prospect, but was recruited mostly for receiver.

Hayes joins quarterbacks Nick Sipe and Griffin Alstott, offensive lineman Jylton Tusha, running back Antwuan Branch, DB Mitch West and D-end Tijaun Mason as Purdue's 2017 commitments to this point.

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