Ty Haywood is one of the biggest high school players left to choose a program for the class of 2025 officially. And, while he has offers from virtually every major team including Alabama, UCLA, Georgia, and Purdue. He has officially visited only 6 of those programs. That doesn’t in any way undermine the fact that at 6’5” and 285 lbs, he is the ‘wonder kid. And is currently 18th in overall rankings by 247 Sports and 4th ranked Offensive Tackle overall. But, there is currently one team that no one expected is making significant moves underground to land the hot prospect.

Haywood’s journey to college football almost landed him in Alabama. However, after initially committing with the program, Ty didn’t sign for Kalen DeBoer’s team during the early signing period, and that raised eyebrows and hopes! Who’s hopes are the strongest? Well, there are three teams in total i.e. FSU, Michigan, and most surprisingly Texas Tech in realistic contention for landing the Texas native.

In a recent interview, a college football insider affiliated with On3, revealed the same, “I’m looking at three schools. You got Michigan, the program that’s been long rumored as the biggest threat to flip him from Alabama. Texas Tech the instate program has been in the middle of this one as well. But Florida State has never gone away. And there’s some optimism around Tallahassee. That they can get him back to campus on an unofficial visit before he makes his college decision”. But, realistically what are the odds of each of these programs to land Ty Haywood?

Folks who follow transfers closely must remember how Michigan signed Bryce Underwood by doubling down on their offer without thinking twice. It seems the same story is being brewed in Ty Haywood’s recruitment. The recruitment team who pulled off the Underwood recruitment are all in to land Texas offensive man. And, it’s looking like other teams are also following suit in this recruitment battle.

Well, not many would expect Texas Tech Raiders to be at the forefront of this uphill recruitment battle against the likes of Michigan and Alabama. But, fortune favors the brave, and in this case, it’s looking like the same case. Moreover, this is a clear case of NIL and the team who could offer the most. This can be also part of the reason Haywood hasn’t decided yet.

Josh Newberg of On3 Recruits also has an insight about Haywood moving to Texas Tech, “You got Texas Tech, they’re kind of the wildcard (to recruit Ty Haywood)…we had Pete Nakos on the channel last week, they’re on the biggest spenders this offseason…remember he’s (Ty Haywood) also from Denton, Texas“.

While Michigan may well be going all in on the player’s recruitment, but, it seems that Texas Tech is also leaving no stone unturned. But what about FSU? Do they have any shot of landing Ty Haywood?

FSU’s blunder and odds to land Ty Haywood

Well, yes they are also in a very intense pursuit for his services. But, one thing that may have weakened their chances is their blunder in June 2024. This is because teams are allowed only 1 visit per high school and FSU already has used their visit in June, while other teams like Michigan and Texas Tech haven’t. This essentially means that they would ultimately have to invite the player to their camp. This is looking very unlikely considering the national signing day is not very far, i.e. on 5 Feb 2025.

While availing the services of the player is looking quite unlikely for FSU. Who knows if they can pull off a Hail Mary at the last minute? But, any team who lands the player will undoubtedly get a beast in Haywood who has an impressive length and huge reach. And will undoubtedly play a huge part in the team’s success in the long term.