Published: December 21, 2008 10:30 pm �� �� �� ��

Haynes makes GACA All-Star team

In November, Northwest Whitfield football coach Mike Falleur approached Bruins standout quarterback-defensive back Dean Haynes with some good news.

Haynes had earned the distinction of being the only player from our four area Georgia High School Association schools to be selected to the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association’s All-Star team.

Haynes has now received yet another GACA honor.

A senior who verbally committed to North Carolina State before the season, Haynes will represent the North team in the GACA North-South All-Star Football Classic on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Columbus. Only one other Region 7-4A player — Rome’s P.J. Green —made the team.

Upon learning of his selection, Haynes was humbled that coaches from around the state recognized his abilities.

“It’s an honor,” Haynes said. “I think it says that people respect me more than I thought they did and that the hard work I’ve put in is starting to pay off.”

Haynes, who was selected 2008 Daily Citizen All-Area Player of the Year, has come a long way from his time growing up in New Jersey.

At the age of 9, Haynes moved to Whitfield County when his mother’s job required relocation. It took a while for Haynes to adapt to his new surroundings.

“There’s a pretty big difference between New Jersey and Dalton,” Haynes said. “I lived in Atlantic City and near the beach. My whole family is up there. Football wasn’t that big of a deal there and I didn’t start playing until I moved down here.

“Playing football ended up being the best decision of my life.”

Another good decision by Haynes was to make education a priority.

His 3.92 grade-point average in high school was a determining factor for the Wolfpack during the recruiting process. With a full athletic scholarship, Haynes said he plans on majoring in biomedical engineering. He expects to sign with the Wolfpack in February.

Haynes said he knew N.C. State was the right fit for him after he and fellow Bruin Drew Smith went to the college’s summer camp in Raleigh. Haynes’ performance at the camp caught the attention of the coaching staff, including defensive backs coach Mike Reed.

Haynes seized the opportunity and quickly built rapport with the coaching staff.

“I got along great with the coaches and (Reed) told me they’d call me. A week later, they gave me an offer. I was sold on them right away because of the coaches. They reminded me of the coaches at Northwest the way they joked around. They didn’t treat me like a student, they treated me like a peer.”

With the Wolfpack playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Haynes will be competing in one of the nation’s major college football conferences. Though it’s a big stage to play on, Haynes believes he’s ready for the challenge.

“I’ve always wanted to play big-time football,” he said. “It feels great to know I’m in the ACC, but I’m also nervous at the same time. I’ll be six-and-a-half hours away from home, so it will be a little nerve-wracking. But once I get there I think I’ll do great.”

Haynes believes the guidance of Falleur and his experiences at Northwest will help him to get through the ups and downs of playing at N.C. State.

“I realize that sometimes, there will be days when I’m not perfect,” Haynes said. “I have to realize that in college things might get tough so I can’t get too down on myself when that happens.”

In the meantime, Haynes looks forward to dressing up one final time for the All-Star game in Columbus on the 29th.

“I’m just going to have fun and do the best that I can,” Haynes said.

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