NAME: Clay Hayden
SCHOOL: Beechwood High School
SPORT(S): Football
GRADUATING YEAR: 2025
GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT: Winning a state championship
BIRTHDATE: 11/14/2006
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6'1"-190 lbs.
RESIDENCE: Ft. Mitchell, Ky.
PARENT: Jeremy & Ainslie
BIGGEST INFLUENCE: “Dad”
FUTURE GOAL: Play Div. I football

Beechwood has an all-star quarterback in senior Clay Hayden, who has won a football state championship and is gunning for another one this season. Clay is one of the best quarterbacks in Kentucky - He could finish his career with around a whopping 10,000 passing yards.

Last year as a junior he was second in Kentucky Class 2A and fourth in the state overall with 3,910 passing yards. He also threw 48 touchdowns and completed 73% of his pass attempts. The Tigers went 12-2 overall, losing to Mayfield in the Kentucky Class 2A state semifinals, with the playoff loss coming on a field goal in the final seconds. The Tigers had won three consecutive state championships from 2020-2022 and are seeking their 18th state title this season.

His numerous awards last season included being named Class 2A District 5 Player of the Year, Northern Kentucky's Class 2A Player of the Year (Enquirer) and as a NKAC all-star. He holds school records for passing yards in a game and TDs in a season. A memorable moment in Clay's career came his sophomore year when a knee injury put him on the sidelines for the first five games, but he recovered in time to get the Tigers back to the Class 2A state final, winning a Class 2A state championship.

A good student who is active in community service, Clay's favorite athlete is Tom Brady, favorite book is The Outsiders, favorite movie is The Hangover and favorite entertainer and most-like-to-meet is Sketch.

COACH'S QUOTE – “Clay is the ultimate competitor. His drive, motivation, and work ethic to win has made him a tremendous quarterback and an even better leader.”
—Jay Volker, Varsity Football Coach