Jacksonville Jaguars invite Wicomico High School grad Derrick Hayward to NFL rookie camp

Former Wicomico High School football player Derrick Hayward is heading to the NFL.

After suiting up at tight end for the Maryland Terrapins the past four seasons, Hayward was brought in by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted rookie free agent. He will attend the organization’s rookie mini-camp in June.

The Wi-Hi graduate joins a crowded Jacksonville tight end unit that features Austin Seferian-Jenkins, David Grinnage, Ben Koyack, James O’Shaughnessy and Niles Paul.

Hayward was a three-time All-Conference First Team selection for Wi-Hi. During his senior year in 2012, the dual-position athlete tallied 50 tackles, three sacks and two fumble recoveries.

He was also named to the All-State team and played for Team Washington in the 2012 Crab Bowl.

Following his senior season, Hayward was recruited by power programs such as Boston College, Navy, Rutgers and Wake Forest.

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But Hayward opted to stay in Maryland, signing with the University of Maryland College Parkn where he would go on to be a viable force in the Terps’ offense.

Following a redshirt season his freshman year, the 6-foot-5, 230-pound Hayward appeared in 12 games in 2014, with two starts at the tight end position. Making his debut against James Madison in the first game of the season, Hayward recorded just two catches for 25 yards in his first year on the field.

As a sophomore, Hayward’s production went down, starting two games and hauling in two catches for 10 yards.

After an offseason of improvement, the Wi-Hi grad emerged as the Terps’ starting tight end in 2016 Hayward and had his best season, with 13 starts, four catches, 17 yards and a touchdown. His first score came Sept. 9, 2016, against FIU.

In his final year, Hayward started 12 games but failed to record a catch. He finished his career with 25 consecutive starts.

Following the season, the tight end made preparations for the NFL Draft, but was not invited to the annual combine. Hayward did, however, show off his skills during Maryland’s pro day, where he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.81 seconds, put up 23 reps on the bench press and tallied a 34.5 vertical jump.

After going undrafted, he was invited to Jacksonville's mini-camp on April 30.

Hayward, the son of Roy and Michelle Hayward, isn’t the first Eastern Shore athlete to join the Jaguars. Former Delmar athlete Alex Ellis played tight end for Jacksonville in 2016 before he was released. Ellis is currently a member of the New Orleans Saints.