Haynes is from Buford, Georgia, and first attended Blessed Trinity Catholic High School in Roswell, Georgia, where he played football and baseball.[2] As a freshman, he ran for 1,754 yards and 18 touchdowns, helping Blessed Trinity win the state championship.[3] He played nine games in the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, but still managed to run for 1,750 yards and 25 touchdowns, averaging 9.9 yards-per-carry.[4] The following year, he ran for 2,375 yards and 29 touchdowns, with an average of 8.6 yards-per-carry.[5]
Haynes transferred to Buford High School for his senior season, ending his career at Blessed Trinity having run for close to 6,000 yards with 72 scores.[6] In his lone year at Buford, he averaged 11.1 yards-per-carry and ran for 1,695 yards while scoring 26 total touchdowns.[7] As a five-star prospect, he played in the All-American Bowl.[8][9] He was ranked the nation's best running back, and the 29th overall player by Rivals.[10] Haynes committed to play college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide.[11]
College career
Alabama
In 2023, Haynes enrolled at the University of Alabama and saw playing time as a true freshman.[12][13] He ended the season with 25 rush attempts for 168 yards and two touchdowns. He scored his first two collegiate touchdowns against Chattanooga, and saw key carries in the 2024 Rose Bowl.[14]
In 2024, Haynes played in all twelve regular season games, starting in six for the Crimson Tide as a sophomore. He carried the ball 79 times for 448 yards and seven touchdowns, adding 17 receptions for 99 yards. Haynes finished tied for second on the team in rushing touchdowns, third in rushing yards and fourth in receptions.[15]
On December 13, 2024, Haynes entered the NCAA transfer portal after two seasons with Alabama.[16]
