With his team leading by a comfortable margin in the 2nd half, his coach turned to him and told him " Mo, you can take the rest of the day off if you like." Maurice replied " Coach let me get a few more reps."
It was one of the reps that Maurice felt something that was not right. That feeling was in his knee. That feeling wind up being a torn ACL.
Maurice sat down with Scout.Com for an exclusive interview and this is what he told us about the injury and his future.
Have you had your surgery yet?
Hayes- "Yes Sir I had surgery last week. I had a torn ACL."
Did you know immediately it was bad?
Hayes--" No Sir, I never heard anything pop or anything like that. I felt something that was not right as I was rushing up field though. I got to the sideline and the trainer did his quick test on it and he said at that point he felt it could be a tear."
I know you had planned on being a mid year grad from Bakersfield. Is that still the plan?
Hayes-" I am going to meet with my coach soon and decide. I have the option to graduate or stay here to rehab. I can still sign with a school in December and do my rehab there also."
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What type of time frame did the doctor give you to be back to 100%?
Hayes-" He told me it was all up to me. If I dedicate myself and really get after it, I could be ready for spring ball. If not I will for sure be 100% in the summer."
Have you talk to any schools since your injury?
Hayes -" No sir, I wanted to get my surgery over with. Utah State called last week and I told them what had happened."
Rusty's Take
Hayes already holds offers from Oklahoma State, Tennessee currently. Having known Hayes since his high school days, which ever D1 school signs him is getting the total package. He is a dominating interior defensive lineman that requires double teams on almost every play, but most importantly will be a strong leader in the locker room. Stay with Scout.Com as we will have the latest news on Hayes over the next month.