Marquis Hayes
Marquis Hayes Jr. is an American professional football guard for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft. Hayes has also been a member of the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers.
Early life
Hayes was born on February 14, 1999, in St. Louis, Missouri, later attending Pattonville High School in Maryland Heights, Missouri. He did not play on the varsity football team until his junior year. Hayes was rated a four-star recruit and committed to play college football at Oklahoma over offers from Miami, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa State, and Minnesota.
College career
Hayes redshirted his true freshman season at Oklahoma. He played in three games as a reserve offensive lineman during his redshirt freshman season. Hayes became the Sooners' starting left guard going into his redshirt sophomore season and started all 13 of Oklahoma's games. He moved to right guard and started 11 games during the Sooners' COVID-19-shortened [2020 NCAA Division I FBS American football|football season|2020 season]. After considering entering the 2021 NFL draft, Hayes decided to return to Oklahoma for his redshirt senior season. He moved back to left guard and started all 13 of Oklahoma's games. After the end of the season, Hayes declared that he would be entering the 2022 NFL draft.
Professional career
Arizona Cardinals
Hayes was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was placed on injured reserve on August 30, 2022. On August 30, 2023, Hayes was waived by the Cardinals and re-signed to the practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024. Hayes was waived on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad. He was released on September 17, 2024.
Washington Commanders
Hayes signed with the Washington Commanders' practice squad on October 1, 2024. He was released on November 26, 2024.
On November 30, 2024, the Green Bay Packers signed Hayes to the practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with Green Bay on January 13, 2025. On May 12, 2025, Hayes was released by the Packers.
On June 12, 2025, Hayes signed with the New York Jets. He was waived on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on December 27.