He played college football for the Iowa State Cyclones, and was selected by the Broncos in the third round of the 2001 NFL draft.
Hayward grew up in Dolton, IL a small town 10 minutes south of Chicago.
Hayward was a three-year starter at Iowa State University, where he was a first-team All-Big 12 Conference selection and the Arthur Floyd Scott Award winner during his senior year.
In his first year as a Jaguar, Hayward accumulated 33 tackles (27 solo), 8.5 sacks, and six pass deflections in 15 games.
Unfortunately, at the start of the 2006 season, Hayward suffered a season-ending injury to his Achilles tendon and was placed on injured reserve.