He was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL draft.

[1] Eventually, he found his place starting as an outside linebacker for Portland State University under Tim Walsh.

[1] Hayward was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round (184th pick) of the 2007 NFL draft.

[3] He was placed on injured reserve due to a tibial plateau fracture in his right leg on November 24.

[4] He suffered the fracture after jumping to catch the ball during a punt in the Week 12 game against the San Francisco 49ers.