Tikey Hayes Dismissed from Nebraska Football Program

Tikey Hayes Dismissed from Nebraska Football Program

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Tikey Hayes Dismissed from Nebraska Football Program

After less than a month in Lincoln, Tikey Hayes is on his way out.

The running back was dismissed from the football program. A Nebraska spokesperson confirmed the news on Monday afternoon.

The news was first reported by 1620 The Zone afternoon host Josh Peterson.

At the time Hayes was reported to be joining Nebraska, the Huskers were dealing with a legal situation that could have further depleted the depth of that room. Since then, however, that situation has been cleared up and NU is back to it's pre-summer status quo.

Hayes was a four-star prospect (247Sports Composite) out of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. He was dynamic all four years of high school. As a freshman, he rushed for 1,723 yards and 23 touchdowns. He followed that up with back-to-back 2,000-yard seasons, eclipsing 25 touchdowns each year. As a senior, his carries were cut in half, but he still ran for 1,022 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Penn State won his services over the likes of Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio State, West Virginia, and Tennessee, among others.

While a Nittany Lion true freshman in 2025, Hayes saw game action just once. Against Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl, he ran three times for 18 yards.

Tikey Hayes struggled to find the field at Penn State before hitting the transfer portal. | Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Tikey Hayes struggled to find the field at Penn State before hitting the transfer portal. | Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Hayes entered the transfer portal in January, leaving the FBS for Iowa Western. The junior college program is in Council Bluffs, Iowa, just across the river from the Cornhusker State.

Now, Hayes is back on the market, and Nebraska's running back room is back to consisting of Kwintin Ives, Mekhi Nelson, Isaiah Mozee, and Jamal Rule as the guys likely to get consistent playing time this season.

Ives was supposed to be the undisputed No. 2 a year ago, but injuries slowed his progress. He returned in the fall to play in eight games, taking 20 carries for 133 yards and two touchdowns. He is also the oldest guy in the room as a junior.

Nelson has been exonerated of his summer legal issue. In 2025, he had 27 carries for 147 yards and two touchdowns, adding eight receptions for 102 yards. He has moved through fall camp as the leader of the room and most likely to be atop the depth chart when Ohio game week arrives.

In limited open practice windows, Mekhi Nelson has looked to be the No. 1 running back. | Kenny Larabee, KLIN
In limited open practice windows, Mekhi Nelson has looked to be the No. 1 running back. | Kenny Larabee, KLIN

Mozee is a converted wide receiver, but perhaps the most dynamic of the bunch. He carried the ball 26 times for 114 yards last year. In the passing game, which saw him also line up in the slot due to injuries, he had 14 receptions for 155 yards.

Rule is on campus as just a true freshman, but he might be the starting running back to open the season. He has already made a good impression in Memorial Stadium, rushing for 121 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries in the Red-White Spring Game.

Without Hayes to provide additional depth, it will be imperative for one of these backs to step up quickly, or offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen find a way to mix and match the talents of the room with the other weapons at his disposal.

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