Outside linebacker Antwon Hayden is a 3-star prospect from East St. Louis and is the second commitment for the 2023 recruiting class. Coach Bielema’s staff continues to pound the in-state pavement in an attempt to keep the best prospects home. According to his prospect profile, Hayden was recruited by linebackers coach Andy Buh and running backs coach Cory Patterson.
Coming in at 6-foot-3 and weighing 220 pounds, Hayden is most comparable to current outside linebacker Seth Coleman. Both are explosive players when coming off the edge, but Hayden has experience dropping into space as he also covered the slot and played inside linebacker in high school.