Former Penn State football running back Tikey Hayes is set to commit to Nebraska, per Sean Callahan of HuskerOnline.

He has four years of eligibility remaining.

Hayes appeared in just one game as a Nittany Lion after joining the team as part of its 2025 recruiting class. He rushed for 18 yards on three carries in Penn State’s Pinstripe Bowl victory over Clemson last season, splitting carries with Quinton Martin Jr. and Corey Smith.

Hayes transferred to Iowa Western Community College in May 2026 after announcing that he would not return to Happy Valley for the upcoming season. He was set to be the starter for the Reivers before deciding to make the jump back to the Big Ten.

The running back committed to Penn State in September 2023, carrying four-star status. In Hayes’ junior season at Aliquippa High School in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, he recorded 450 yards on 56 carries over just 3 games, averaging 8.0 yards per carry. He also tallied four touchdowns over that span, according to his MaxPreps profile.

Hayes will join Penn State letterman and former linebacker Matt Rhule, who developed the Big Ten’s leading rusher in 2025, Emmett Johnson.

About the Author

Jamie Lynch

Jamie is a fourth-year economics student from Chappaqua, NY. He loves to swim and is a member of the club team here at Penn State. Jamie is also in the Schreyer Honors College, and wishes there was an advanced course in college football fandom (scored 118/133 on the mascot quiz). He’s an avid ping-pong player, dairy lover, and has met two U.S. Presidents. If you have anything to share, or want to debate the AP Poll with someone, follow him on Twitter/X @jamielynchpsu or email jml8342@psu.edu.

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