If you would have told David Thibodaux STEM Academy student and Acadiana Christian offensive lineman LJ Hayles three years ago that he would be the first student from his high school to ever sign and play college football, he would have told you that you were crazy considering that he didn’t even enjoy the sport early in his prep years.
“I didn’t start playing until my sophomore year and it wasn’t until the middle of the season when I was on the team. I was working out with the basketball team at David Thibodaux. Things weren’t working out for basketball and I attended Acadiana Christian. I joined the team in the middle of the season and it was a brand new environment for me playing football switching over from basketball. I just thought it was something that could keep me busy and to keep me ready for basketball for the next year, but I started to develop and really fall in love with the sport. The more I played the more I realized that playing college football was a possibility. “
Acadiana Christian OL and Crown College signee LJ Hayles
Once taking all his focus and energy into playing basketball, it was actually a little push from his mother that actually convinced him to give football a try.
“My mom actually convinced me to come out and play football. We are from Mobile, Alabama originally and moved to Louisiana about 10 years ago. She has always been a big football fan and has always wanted me to play football, but she also wanted me to be happy and basketball made me happy for the majority of my life. She knew that I loved sports and in any capacity. She said that she was going to check that there was a spot on this football team and that I know that you didn’t want to be on this team last year, but do you want me to see if they have any spots available. I said, why not and that I was definitely not playing baseball.”
Acadiana Christian OL and Crown College signee LJ Hayles
Since the beginning whether it has been setting up LJ Hayles as a student or as an athlete, his mother has always been there.
“My mom had to play both roles as the mother and my father. My father has not been in my life, but she’s gone above and beyond for me. I don’t take any other woman to be my mother other than her because she packed up all her things and moved us to Louisiana when I was seven to give me a shot at a better life and I think I’ve done alright with that.”
Acadiana Christian OL and Crown College signee LJ Hayles
Although David Thibodaux is a magnet school that does not have football, Hayles was able to play for the Acadiana Christian homeschool football team. At 6’3, 290 pounds, it did not take long for Hayles to show off his size and strength for the team.
“From the moment I started playing, I fell in love with the sport immediately. I never liked football when I played as a kid. Everybody made me play because I was a big boy. I had to play, but when I got to high school, I fell in love with it again.”
Acadiana Christian OL and Crown College signee LJ Hayles
Through three years, the former basketball player was transitioning quite well to the gridiron. As a NHFA All-American, Hayles was a factor on both sides of the football with 25 pancake blocks on the offensive side of the football and 25 tackles, 9 TFLs, 2 sacks and 2 FFs on the defensive side of the football.
Although the two sport athlete was now focused on football, it is actually some of the qualities on the hardwood that has allowed him to have that success as a lineman.
“Basketball has helped me in football with my footwork and having a short term memory. In basketball, you are never going to make every shot in a game. You are going to get beat up and you are going to get yelled at by your coaches, but it’s important to be back on the court and get the next play going. That really translated in football for me. Eventually, I had to learn that I couldn’t get too made at myself for missing a block or giving up a sack. It has definitely helped me become the player that I am today.”
Acadiana Christian OL and Crown College signee LJ Hayles
Being a multi-sport athlete has also allowed him to be a more productive player mentally with his game and for the long run has made him a better football player.
“I would just say that my attitude towards the game and my attitude towards my teammates was my biggest improvement over the years. I have always been a hot headed guy. I had a ton of personal problems my sophomore year and last year, but this year, I had to step up in that leadership role. The attitude that I had going into the season was much better than what it was because I see something bigger than myself.”
Acadiana Christian OL and Crown College signee LJ Hayles
Despite having college frame, strength, and quickness for a big guy, it is safe to say that the competition that he plays against in a home school league may be overlooked, but like in other associations, just because teams are homeschooled does not mean those teams lack in talent.
“A lot of people think that homeschool football does not matter, but we play a lot of 2A and 3A Texas High School public and private schools. We play competition and we got some legitimate players that we are competing with like Danny Okoye, who is a four star defensive end that is playing at Oklahoma. I am playing against a lot of guys that are at the college level now and will be competing there next year.”
Acadiana Christian OL and Crown College signee LJ Hayles
Playing against top competition from across the Gulf South helped LJ Hayles when he arrived down in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for the 2024 Gridiron Football All-American Bowl Game.
“When I arrived at the bowl game, a lot of people heard the word home school and expected that I wouldn’t be able to hang, but that was what really motivated me. I knew I could play and that I had the ability to go up against anybody and everybody. I had a chance to prove it at the Gridiron Football All-American Bowl Game and I figured that I did alright and did pretty decent. Playing the level of competition that I did really caught a lot of people off guard because I was already used to playing these big time guys. There was a size difference for sure because you don’t go against a lot of 6’7 defensive tackles in home school football. I was definitely ready to play.”
Acadiana Christian OL and Crown College signee LJ Hayles
Playing in the Gridiron Football All-American Bowl Game was a great measuring stick for Hayles in how he measured with other top players around.
“I really enjoyed it honestly. My favorite part had to have been the game. It felt like preparing for an All-Star game or a college game. Everybody figured it would be their last ride so everybody went out there and gave everything that they had. It was a great game until the end. The buildup to the game in practice was big. Losing the 7v7 in practice and then winning the game made it even better.”
Acadiana Christian OL and Crown College signee LJ Hayles
Hayles enjoyed the experience so much that he encourages other athletes to have that same experience if they have an opportunity to play in this year’s All-Star game.
“The Gridiron Football All-American Bowl Game gives me the opportunity to show off my skills to the nation. I am an advocate for the boot. I feel that the boot has some of the best high school players in the country. I think we always had and Gridiron gives you the opportunity to show off what you can do while also getting competition from other guys. This game is not just about showing off what you can do, but there was a real team that was built with the guys that were on my side and the guys from the other side. There was a little bit of disliking and definitely a little bit of heat. It was an unique dynamic. Being able to match up against some of the best in the state and in the nation gives you something to look forward to and gets your blood pumping on GameDay.”
Acadiana Christian OL and Crown College signee LJ Hayles
LJ Hayles was one of over 60 players from this year’s Gridiron Football All-American Bowl Game to sign to play college football, but he has also achieved something unprecedented, which is become the first student ever from David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy to sign and play college football.
“I thought that I was the first one to play college football from David Thibodaux, but it did not hold any significance for me until it started to set in and the principal was talking about it at Signing Day saying how much of a big deal it was for us and the school that they never had anybody to do this. I just thought it was cool and that I am official now. It is still setting in everyday, but it is something that has keep myself motivated. I don’t want to be just the first. I want to be the best.”
Acadiana Christian and Crown College signee OL LJ Hayles
In the end, Hayles signed to play college football with Crown College, which is a Division III university in St. Bonifacius, Minnesota.
“I spent a lot of time with them during the offseason. I sent them my film and followed the coaches on Twitter. I would send my film out to 20-30 coaches everyday. Some coaches were getting my film three to five times. I remember sending my film to Crown College twice and I told the coaches that I just needed one opportunity to prove it. If they gave me the opportunity, then they would not regret it. Ever since then, me and Coach Franz built a really strong relationship not just in football but also things outside of football. I am really confident about what we are building at Crown.”
Acadiana Christian OL and Crown College signee LJ Hayles
Hayles hopes that he and even a couple of this year’s Gridiron Football All-Americans that also signed with Crown College can help become a foundation piece for the Polars in the years to come.
“I don’t think they are getting anything less than a dominant offensive lineman. When you get me as a player, you get me as a leader whether I will be starting as a freshman or backing up as a senior. I am hoping to get early reps, but they are getting a smart player, a phenomenal pass blocker, and they are going to be getting a trash talker that is going to be starting to make a lot of noise on the field. Most of all, they are going to get a disciplined ball player that is going to help them pick up some wins on the scoreboard for them.”
Acadiana Christian OL and Crown College signee LJ Hayles
Hayles talent can only get so far alone, but for him, it takes a true village especially for him to accomplish something that has been achieved for the first time in school history.
“I want to give thanks to my head coach Seth Johnson for sure and Coach Taylor Boutin. I want to thank all my teammates from Acadiana Christian because they are always pushing me to be a better leader. I want to thank my grandparents and my family back in Alabama. They are a big reason why I kept going and I kept pushing. Finally, I want to thank God and Jesus Christ.”
Acadiana Christian OL and Crown College signee LJ Hayles
It has been an unexpected journey for LJ Hayles, but being able to embrace change and where you come from has allowed him to defy the odds.
“If I had to give them some advice, just feel that pressure and that pressure is a good thing. If I didn’t have the pressure on me and didn’t think that everybody was doubting me, I would not be where I am today. The biggest thing for me was proving everybody wrong that said that I couldn’t do it and here I am now, signing my name ink to paper. Feeling that chip on your shoulder and keeping it there and staying discipline and knowing that you can play up to that pressure is a big part in succeeding.”
Acadiana Christian OL and Crown College signee LJ Hayles
If you are an up and coming player that wants to get their name out there, make sure to come to our camps and register for our first Elite Camp, which will be on Saturday, March 1st. Click the image below to register!
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