The tight end has always been key in Keiser's offense. This position is vital for the running game and acts as a "safety valve" for Keiser quarterbacks. This year, the Seahawks have two new weapons: Ben Hayes and Leo Berman.

On Saturday, during the Seahawk's 49-28 Sun Conference win at Florida Memorial, the first-year Seahawks registered their first collegiate touchdown receptions. Hayes caught a 14-yard pass from Shea Spencer to give Keiser the lead, 17-14, and eight minutes later, Berman followed that up with a two-yard catch as the Seahawks extended their lead, 24-14.

"Shea had looked through his reads," Hayes said. "I guess he didn't see what he liked, and he found me in the endzone. When I saw that ball coming my way, my focus was on catching it, securing it, and ensuring we got the touchdown. After that, it was time to celebrate."

"It was a great play design by the coaches," Berman said. "When we broke the huddle, I knew it would work. We ran it well all week in practice. So, when Shea looked my way, I knew we had six points."

Although these two recorded their first scores of the season on Saturday, both have been huge parts of the offense. The tandem takes pride in the ability to block and create openings for the Keiser running game. The Seahawks rank No. 7 in the NAIA in rushing yards per game (224.0).

"I take a lot of pride in blocking," Berman said. "Especially because you don't see a lot of football teams around the country at any level win big games or go forward without establishing a run game. So, it comes to a point where you got to run the ball, and when you play this position, it's something you know you've got to get done."

"We definitely take pride in that," Hayes said. "We are the sixth member of the offensive line. As a tight end, you know that blocking is key. We take pride in opening the field for our running backs."

The role of tight end isn't always glamorous. It's a hybrid between the "skill position" wide receivers and the "in the trenches" offensive line. What motivated each of these individuals to play this position?

"Football wasn't my first sport," Hayes said. "I didn't start playing football until my freshman year of high school. But I was kind of a big kid; a big athletic kid, so tight end kind of just stuck with me, and I've been playing ever since. I've looked up to athletes like George Kittle and Travis Kelce. I like the way they play."

"I've been around the position of tight ends since I was younger, being a taller and bigger kid," Berman said. "So, it kind of sparked with me, resonated with me, and when I got to high school, it just kind of unfolded from there, and now I get another opportunity to do it again here at Keiser."

Both Berman and Hayes are in their first year with the Seahawks. Berman, who graduated from Bishop Verot in Fort Myers, Florida, was a first-team all-state honoree and a member of the 2024 Rotary South All-Star Football Classic. He was also a 2024 News-Press All-Area Offensive Team selection.

"One thing I did know about Keiser was that they compete for championships," Berman said. "And when you do that, the first thing you look at is not only the players, but the staff. I've never been around a staff that's so advanced and so good at what they do, and it'll make our jobs as players easier when they put us in the position to make plays. It's a prestigious winning place. You look at all sports. They all win. That's kind of what this school is built on. And the cornerstone of this school, in my opinion, is the football program."

Hayes joined the Seahawks this season after one year at Eastern Kentucky. The native of Louisville was a three-time all-district selection from Butler Traditional. He had a connection to Keiser in Seahawk's assistant coach Logan Kelleher, who joined the KU staff after spending the 2023 season at EKU.

"Everybody wants to win here," Hayes said. "Everybody works hard. So, when I came here, I noticed that there was a lot of talent and like Leo said, a lot of good coaches. Coaches with a lot of advanced coaching experience. When I came here, I didn't know a lot about Keiser, but I had a coach from Eastern Kentucky who came here, Coach Kelleher, and he sold me on all the winning factors like winning championships. This program has had a list of very talented tight ends; they have a veteran quarterback, and that's all I needed to hear."
 

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