Bayes played for the East Carolina Pirates from 1996 to 1999.[6] He was a consensus All-American in 1999.[7] He led Division I-A football in punting average in 1999 with 48.06 yards per punt, which remains a Conference USA and East Carolina single-season record.[8][9] Bayes was also named first-team Conference USA in 1999 and second-team Conference USA in 1998 and 1997. He played in the Senior Bowl in 1999.[10] He was inducted into the ECU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017.[11]
Professional career
Bayes was rated the second-best punter in the 2000 NFL draft by NFLDraftScout.com.[12] After going undrafted, Bayes signed with the Detroit Lions in April 2000.[13][14] He was released on August 4, 2000.[15]
Bayes signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on April 23, 2001 and was allocated to NFL Europe, where he played for the Frankfurt Galaxy during the 2001 season.[15][16] He was released by the Buccaneers on September 3, 2001 but was later re-signed on December 29, 2001.[15]
Bayes was signed by the San Francisco 49ers on January 17, 2002.[15][17] He was allocated to NFL Europe, where he played for the Amsterdam Admirals during the 2002 season.[16] He was released by the 49ers on August 14, 2002.[15]