Texas A&M Senior Defensive End’s Last-Minute Senior Bowl Invitation Sparks NFL Draft Buzz

You’ve got to hand it to Texas A&M—when it comes to that 2025 pass rush, they didn’t just show up; they dominated the scene. Sure, everyone’s talking about Cashius Howell, the unanimous All-American with 11.5 sacks and a relentless drive that lit up stats sheets. But don’t sleep on the unsung hero who quietly made waves after transferring from Colorado: Dayon Hayes. This guy wasn’t just a patch; he was a key piece in a puzzle that helped the Aggies rack up a jaw-dropping 43 team sacks, second best in the nation only to Oklahoma. For Hayes, it wasn’t just about numbers—it was about seizing moments, like that unforgettable, game-clinching sack against Auburn on fourth down that fans will be buzzing about for a long time. With his sturdy 6’3″, 270-pound frame and eye-popping Pro Football Focus grades, Hayes is turning heads for the 2026 NFL Draft, painting a picture of a player ready to make the leap to the pros. And now, with his late invite to the Panini Senior Bowl, scouts will get their chance to witness his skills up close, solidifying his status among the elite. This Texas A&M edge rusher’s journey—from Pitt to Colorado to College Station—is nothing short of remarkable, and it’s just getting started. LEARN MORE

Texas A&M’s 2025 pass rush was led by unanimous All-American senior edge Cashius Howell, who recorded 11.5 sacks and over 40 pressures, but it’s important to remember that the Aggies produced 43 team sacks, ranked second nationally below Oklahoma (45), as head coach Mike Elko’s veteran pass rush included Colorado transfer defensive end Dayon Hayes, who was highly impactful during his lone season.

A one-year rental, Hayes served as a situational pass rush specialist, racking up 18 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 29 pressures, the veteran edge stayed healthy throughout the season for the first time in several seasons, and produced a number of memorable moments, including his game-sealing, fourth down sack against the Auburn Tigers in one of the closer defensive battles of the 2025 season.

Built for the NFL, Hayes’ 6’3″, nearly 270-pound frame makes him too intriguing to pass up late in the 2026 NFL Draft, while his impressive Pro Football Focus grades include a 73.5 defensive mark, and an elite 77.3 pass rush grade, including a prolific 91.7 pass rush grade during the Aggies’ home win over Florida.

Due to his overall impressive performance during the 2025 season, Hayes became the ninth Texas A&M player to earn an invitation to the Panini Senior Bowl, and while he missed the full week of practice, his late invitation will at least provide scouts a chance to watch him during Saturday’s game.

During his six seasons with Pitt, Colorado, and Texas A&M, Hayes recorded 114 tackles and 19.5 sacks during his college football career. Hayes joins tight end Nate Boerkircher, offensive tackle Dametrious Crownover, running back Le’Veon Moss, linebacker Scooby Williams, wide receiver KC Concepcion, cornerback Will Lee III, edge Cashius Howell, and offensive tackle Trey Zuhn at the Senior Bowl.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M DE Dayon Hayes earns late invitation to the Senior Bowl