Happy 35th birthday on Monday to Illinois football receiver-turned-cornerback Kelvin Hayden.
A four-year starter at Chicago Hubbard High School, Hayden attended Joliet Junior College for two years prior to joining coach Ron Turner's University of Illinois roster. The 2002 National Junior College Player of the Year rarely tasted defeat during his two seasons with the Wolves, posting a 22-1 record. JJC won the National Junior College championship in '02 and Hayden was the Most Valuable Player of the title game.
In his first season at Illinois, No. 6 was quarterback Jon Beutjer's primary target. Hayden paced the Illini in both receptions (52) and receiving yards (592), including a career day against California when he hauled in 11 passes for 158 yards and one touchdown.