Hayes Pullard facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Hayes Pullard III

Pullard with the Cleveland Browns in 2015
New York Jets
Position:	Defensive assistant
Personal information
Born:	(1992-04-18) April 18, 1992 (age 33) Inglewood, California, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:	235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school:	Crenshaw (Los Angeles, California)
College:	USC (2010–2014)
NFL Draft:	2015 / Round: 7 / Pick: 219
Career history
As player:
Cleveland Browns (2015)* Jacksonville Jaguars (2015–2016) Los Angeles Chargers (2017–2018) Arizona Cardinals (2019)* Philadelphia Eagles (2019)*
As coach:
USC (2020) Quality control analyst New York Jets (2021–present) Defensive assistant
Career highlights and awards
Second-team All-Pac-12 (2013)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 114 Fumble recoveries: 1 Interceptions: 1
Player stats at PFR

Hayes Joseph "HP" Pullard III (born April 18, 1992) is an American football coach. He used to be a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). Currently, he works as a defensive assistant for the New York Jets.

Before joining the Jets, he was a quality control analyst for the USC Trojans. He also played college football for the Trojans. The Cleveland Browns picked him in the 2015 NFL draft. He also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, and Philadelphia Eagles.

Early Life and High School Football

Hayes Pullard was born in Inglewood, California. He was one of ten children. His uncle, Robert Pullard, was a great pole vaulter at the University of Southern California (USC).

Hayes attended Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles. He played football, basketball, and ran track. His mother wanted him to go to a different school. She hoped it would be safer and better for his studies. But Hayes chose Crenshaw, following his father's wishes.

At Crenshaw, Pullard played linebacker and defensive back. He also played running back on offense. From 2007 to 2009, he helped Crenshaw High School make history. They became the first Los Angeles City Section team to play in a state championship game.

In his last two years, he made 211 tackles on defense. He also gained 1,475 yards and scored 20 touchdowns on offense. Hayes was not just a star player. He also helped other students. He invited kids who were struggling to his home to help them study. He stayed close with his high school coach, Robert Garrett.

College Football Career at USC

Hayes Pullard always wanted to play for UCLA. But his father wanted him to go to USC, where his uncle had been a star athlete. UCLA offered Hayes a scholarship. However, USC's coaches, Pete Carroll and Ken Norton Jr., were also very interested.

Norton convinced Pullard to visit USC practices. Hayes was very impressed with the coaches and players. The day before he was supposed to sign, Coach Carroll left USC. But Norton convinced Hayes to stick with USC.

Starting at USC

Pullard did not play his first year (2010 season). This is called being "redshirted." He had knee surgery that year. Soon after, the NCAA punished USC. The team was banned from playing in championship and bowl games for two seasons. Hayes could have transferred to another school, but he chose to stay loyal to USC.

In 2011, Pullard started every game for the Trojans. He led the team in tackles with 81. He and fellow freshman Dion Bailey were the first freshmen to lead USC in tackles.

Becoming a Leader

In 2012, USC started the season ranked number one. But the team had a tough year, finishing with 7 wins and 6 losses. They lost in the Sun Bowl. Pullard, however, had an amazing year. He made 107 tackles, which was the most by a USC player since 1996.

His teammates chose him as a co-captain for the 2013 season. He really stepped up as a leader. USC lost three of its first five games that season. Their coach was fired. Pullard still had a strong year, making 94 tackles.

Many thought Pullard would leave college early for the 2014 NFL Draft. But he had promised his mother he would graduate. So, he stayed for his senior year.

Final Season and Graduation

Pullard was again chosen as a co-captain in 2014. He helped the team adjust to a new head coach, Steve Sarkisian. In his final season, Pullard made a team-high 87 tackles. He was the first USC player since 1979 to lead the team in tackles for three years in a row.

He finished his college career with 369 tackles. This is the seventh most in USC history. In May 2015, Pullard graduated from USC. He earned a degree in policy, planning, and development.

Professional Football Career

Before the Draft

Many experts did not expect Pullard to be drafted. There were many other good linebackers that year. But his chances improved when he wrote an open letter to NFL teams. He wrote about his skills, his loyalty to USC, and how he overcame challenges in his life.

Playing in the NFL

The Cleveland Browns picked Pullard in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL draft. He was the 33rd linebacker chosen that year. He was with the Browns briefly before being released. He then joined their practice squad.

On October 28, 2015, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Pullard from the Browns' practice squad. He played for the Jaguars until September 2017.

On September 4, 2017, the Los Angeles Chargers picked up Pullard. He joined his former coach, Gus Bradley, who was now the Chargers' defensive coordinator. Pullard helped fill a need at middle linebacker for the team. He was released by the Chargers in September 2018 but re-signed later that year.

In August 2019, Pullard signed with the Arizona Cardinals. He was released later that month. Shortly after, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles but was released before the season started.

Coaching Career

In 2020, Pullard went back to USC. He worked as a quality control analyst for the football team. Since 2021, he has been a defensive assistant for the New York Jets.