D J Hayden

High school career

Hayden attended Elkins High School in Missouri City, where he played for the Elkins Knights high school football team. He was teammates with future NFL offensive lineman Jake Matthews.

College career

In 2009, Hayden played 10 games as a freshman at Navarro College and recorded 23 tackles and one for loss. In his sophomore year, he helped lead Navarro College its second NJCAA National Football Championship in the 2010 season. During the year, he played in all 11 games and recorded 33 solo tackles. In addition, he had six pass breakups and three interceptions with one returned for a touchdown. He also ranked #41 on Rivals.com's Top 50 Junior College players list. Hayden committed to University of Houston on June 8, 2010, and enrolled in the university in 2011; thereafter, he played for the Houston Cougars football team in 2011 and 2012.

Junior year

Hayden played very well the first year with the Cougars. He instantly became a shutdown corner for the Houston defense and he led the team with 11 passes broken up. He also recorded 52 solo tackles, two interceptions with one touchdown return, 1.0 sacks, and a team-leading five forced fumbles. The season ended in the 2012 TicketCity Bowl with a win against #23 Penn State.

Senior year

Hayden started the first nine games of the season in top form. Over that span, he had 61 total tackles, eight passes defended, and four interceptions. Two of those interceptions were returned for touchdowns. During practice, before his team's tenth game, he suffered a season-ending and life-threatening injury. He collided with a safety in a passing drill where the safety's knee struck DJ in his chest. The collision tore the inferior vena cava in his heart. The injury itself is most commonly seen in high-speed vehicle accidents, and the fatality rate is 95% due to the massive loss of blood. He told the media at the NFL Combine that after the accident he couldn't see much out of his left eye. It just went pitch black and he suddenly felt cold and sleepy.

Despite the injury, Hayden earned first team All-Conference USA honors.

Oakland Raiders

Hayden was selected with the 12th overall pick in the first round in the 2013 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders, the second cornerback taken (after Dee Milliner). Hayden is the highest selected defensive player from Houston since Wilson Whitley in 1977. During the Raiders' Organized Team Activities (OTAs), Hayden was hospitalized with abdominal adhesions relating to his previous surgery. The adhesions were removed, and Hayden signed with the Raiders at the beginning of training camp in late July.

During the early portion of his rookie season, Hayden struggled. However, his first career interception came against Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers during an October 6, 2013 game in Oakland. In a 24-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on October 13, Hayden recorded his first forced fumble.

On December 3, 2016, Hayden was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

Detroit Lions

On March 10, 2017, Hayden signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions.

Career statistics

GP = Games played
GS = Games started
Comb = Combined tackles
Solo = Solo tackles
Asst = Assisted tackles
Sack = Quarterback sacks
Int = Interceptions
Yds = Interception return yards
Avg = Average interception return
Lng = Longest interception return
TD = Interception return touchdowns
PD = Passes defended
FF = Fumbles forced
FR = Fumbles recovered
Yds = Fumble return yards
TD = Fumble return touchdowns