2018: Appeared in all 11 games while starting the final seven of the year for the Eagles at offensive guard.  Hester concluded the season with 10 knockdowns.  He helped Carson-Newman finish the year ranked number one in all of Division II in rushing yards per game. 

2017: Converted from the defensive line to the offensive line for his redshirt freshman year.  Appeared in 10 games on the offensive line with five starts.  He helped pave the way for Carson-Newman's offense to rank second in the league with 409 yards per game gained, including a league-best 275 yards on the ground.  The Eagles ranked in the top 10 nationally in yards rushing. He finished the year with 14 knockdowns, including four knockdown games against Catawba and Lenoir-Rhyne.  Had a 223-play streak without a mental miscue. 

2016: Appeared in the first three games of the season with two starts before a groin injury sidelined him for the rest of the year.  Had four tackles, all against Saint Augustine's on the year.  Medically redshirted.

2015: Sidelined with an injury, redshirted. 

HIGH SCHOOL: Hayden Hester comes to Carson-Newman after playing two ways on the line at Midway for coach Joe Campbell.  Hester tallied 79.5 tackles, 10.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss as a senior for the Green Wave. Hester was a two-time all-state selection, a two-time all-district selection and the District 3A defensive and offensive lineman of the year in 2013 and 2014. He earned first team all-PrepXtra accolades as a senior and was a team captain and the defensive MVP of the East-West All-Star game.  He also played in the Tennessee v. Kentucky Border Bowl and was a team captain for the game. 

PERSONAL: The son of Paul and Melinda Hester, Hayden plans to study criminal justice at C-N.  He was a nominee for the Roane County Youth Leadership.  He says he selected Carson-Newman because it was the best place for him to grow "spiritually, mentally and physically.