Former Commodore and Titans defensive lineman Jovan Haye makes the list of the 100 best players we've covered.
Honors and awards: 2003 second-team All-Southeastern Conference
2003 team Defensive Line MVP
In the VU record book: Haye does not appear on any single-season or career charts.
Before VU: Haye attended Ft. Lauderdale High (Fla.), where he earned first team All-State and All-Broward Count honors as a junior and senior at offensive guard. The team went 13-2 his senior year and made the 6A state finals. Also threw the shot and discus and lettered in basketball.
Freshman (2002): After redshirting in 2001, started 11 of 12 games at defensive end. Played through ankle and foot injuries much of the season. Had a season high of five tackles against Kentucky.
Sophomore (2003): Haye had a spectacular breakout year as a redshirt sophomore, earning second team All-SEC honors from the league's coaches, despite playing for a team that went 2-10 and 1-7 in the league. Was elected defensive captain and named team Defensive MVP against TCU and Kentucky. Best game came against TCU, when Haye had 4 1/2 tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception. Had two or more sacks three times, including two against Georgia and 2.5 vs. Kentucky. Had single-game career highs in total tackles (10) vs. Auburn and Kentucky. Had 11 quarterback pressures for the season.
Junior (2004): Haye, a preseason All-American candidate, saw his role change as a junior. After playing 5- and 9-technique most of his sophomore year, Haye lined up mostly head-up on the tight end as a junior. Ranked sixth on the team, and first among VU defensive linemen, in tackles.
Post-VU: Haye left VU with a year of eligibility left and declared for the NFL Draft, in which Carolina selected him in Round 6. He played 73 games, starting 46, in a career spanning 2005-11 that included stops in Carolina, Cleveland, Tennessee and Detroit.
Final thoughts, and why I ranked him where I did: My enduring image of Haye came after a 14-13 loss in a basically meaningless late-season game in 2004 against Kentucky, one that dropped VU to 2-8. On my way to the press conference, I stood underneath Commonwealth Stadium watching the team head towards the locker room as Haye walked by. I don't think I've ever seen a player more upset with a loss than he was that day. A year later, after six wins against 29 losses at VU, he was gone to the NFL.
Haye battled against plenty just to get to Vanderbilt. His story, outlined in a book he wrote titled Bigger than Me, details his struggles with dyslexia, poverty, bullying and finally, a move from Jamaica to the United States. Haye had bigger offers than Vanderbilt but was intrigued with the idea of doing something different and playing for an underdog. It's a phenomenal story, and you can read the shorter version of it here in Haye's own words. Haye then went on to a successful NFL career and is now in his second season as VU's defensive line coach.
The problem with Haye is that he had one terrific season and played on teams that went 6-29 while he was at VU. With so many players who won championships (particularly in baseball) still to go, it was hard to rank him higher. But to leave Haye off the list would be unfairly attributing the losing to his efforts rather than his surrounding cast, which is where the blame lies. He's one of the most talented linemen VU ever produced--which he proved in the NFL--and between that and his leadership and competitive drive, deserves a spot in our top 100.
