Purdue Football: New Faces to Know – Antwon “JoJo” Hayden

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 20: Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers runs against Jojo Hayden #30 of the Illinois Fighting Illini in the second half at Memorial Stadium on September 20, 2025 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images Antwon “Jojo” Hayden Bio Position: Linebacker Height: 6’2” Weight: 245 Age: 21 Hometown: East St. Louis, Illinois Recruiting Class: 2023 Former Team: Illinois Eligibility Remaining : 2 Seasons – Redshirt Junior Transfer Portal Rankings: 3*(87) – National Rank: 597 – Linebacker Rank: 53 High School Hayden was considered a mid-3*(86), the 92nd-best linebacker and the 969th overall in the 2023 class, coming out of East St.

Louis High School, according to the Rivals recruiting industry ranking. His evaluations were all over the place, with On3 considering him a low 3*(83) and Rivals rating him as a solid 4* prospect and a top 25 linebacker in the class. He chose Illinois over listed offers from Mississippi State, Colorado, and Missouri.

It appears Purdue poked around as well, but never offered. At East St. Louis, he was a two-time IHSFCA 6A All-State selection and helped The Flyers win the 2022 IHSA 6A Championship.

He broke onto the recruiting scene as a junior when he recorded 117 tackles and six sacks. As a senior, he was credited with 92 tackles and nine tackles-for-loss. He’s joined by three other East St.