Journalist

Chris Hays

Chris Hays covers high school football, college football and recruiting for the Orlando Sentinel. Hays attended Kansas State University and is a native of Topeka.

BYU center Keba Keita, who had 7 blocked shots Friday, looks to shoot in front of Miami guard Tre Donaldson during the first half of BYU’s 72-62 victory over Miami at the ESPN Events Invitational at Lake Buena Vista. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

No. 9 BYU swats away Miami at ESPN Events Invitational

November 27, 2025 at 9:06 p.m.

Keba Keita blocked seven Miami shots to lead BYU to a 72-62 victory at the ESPN Events Invitational in Orlando.

Windermere senior cornerback CJ Bronaugh, who is also a state-champion sprinter, stuck with his commitment to Florida and is among 15 high schoolers who signed with the Gators during the Early Signing Period. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel)

Gators commit CJ Bronaugh reaction to Napier firing: ‘I’m still a Gator’

October 21, 2025 at 10:35 a.m.

Windermere cornerback and state spring champion CJ Bronaugh said Florida's firing of football coach Billy Napier on Sunday will not sway his decision to sign with the Gators during the...

Florida State freshman linebacker Ethan Pritchard, who is from Sanford, was released from a Tallahassee hospital Thursday and moved to a facility in Jacksonville, where he will continue to rehabilitate and recover from an Aug. 31 gunshot wound. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel/TNS)

FSU’s Ethan Pritchard, ‘alert and responsive,’ being moved to Jacksonville facility

October 10, 2025 at 12:35 p.m.

FSU freshman linebacker Ethan Pritchard, who was shot while giving his aunt and cousin a ride from a family gathering Aug. 31, in Havana, Fla., was moved to a new...

FSU freshman linebacker Ethan Pritchard, who is recovering in a Tallahassee hospital from a gunshot wound he suffered two weeks ago, opened his eyes for the first time since Sept. 1 surgery, according to FSU coach Mike Norvell. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel)

Wounded FSU freshman Ethan Pritchard, a former Sanford Seminole standout, is ‘trending up,’ opens eyes

September 16, 2025 at 11:18 a.m.

FSU coach Mike Norvell said gunshot victim Ethan Pritchard, a freshman linebacker for the Seminoles, opened his eyes Sunday for the first time since undergoing surgery in the early-morning hours...

FSU coach Mike Norvell presents Earl Pritchard, the father of hospitalized freshman linebacker Ethan Pritchard, with the game ball after a Sept. 6 victory over East Texas A&M. Ethan Pritchard was moved to a rehab facility in Jacksonville on Thursday. (Courtesy @FSUFootball twitter)

FSU honors Ethan Pritchard and his dad during and after Saturday victory

September 7, 2025 at 1:29 a.m.

The freshman linebacker remains stable but in critical condition at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, where he had surgery for a gunshot to the back of his head.

Florida State freshman linebacker Ethan Pritchard remains in stable condition at a Tallahassee hospital after being shot while giving a ride to his aunt and 2-year-old cousin on Sunday night in Havana. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel)

FSU Coach Mike Norvell says Ethan Pritchard remains in stable condition

September 3, 2025 at 2:57 p.m.

FSU freshman linebacker, who was shot while giving a ride to his aunt and 2-year-old cousin on Sunday night in Havana , remains in stable condition at a Tallahassee hospital,...

Florida State linebacker and former Seminole High star Ethan Pritchard was shot Sunday night during a gathering in Havana, just 30 minutes outside of Tallahassee. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel)

FSU football player Ethan Pritchard of Sanford shot Sunday night

September 1, 2025 at 1:43 a.m.

Former Sanford Seminole stare Ethan Pritchard, a freshman linebacker at FSU, was shot Sunday night outside Tallahassee. Details of his conditions were unconfirmed.

Florida State reserve linebacker and former Seminole High star Ethan Pritchard was shot Sunday night after a family gathering in the Tallahassee region. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel)

FSU’s Ethan Pritchard of Sanford is critical but stable in ICU after Sunday night shooting

September 1, 2025 at 4:12 p.m.

Former Sanford Seminole star Ethan Pritchard, a freshman linebacker at FSU, was shot Sunday night outside Tallahassee. The school said he was in critical but stable condition.

Former Olympia and Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois showing he's still got it, coaching at the Orlando Quarterback Shootout last month at Central Florida Christian Academy in Orlando. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel)

Ex-FSU quarterback Deondre Francois, 28, content with life after football

August 1, 2025 at 3:12 p.m.

Through all of his trials and tribulations during a career as quarterback at FSU, Deondre Francois has emerged as content with life after football.

Former UCF and Edgewater High running back RJ Harvey speaks with Denver Broncos personnel who informed him Friday night that he would be a new member of the team, selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the No. 60 overall selection. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel)

UCF RB RJ Harvey selected in 2nd round of NFL Draft by Denver

April 26, 2025 at 5:46 p.m.

UCF running back RJ Harvey was selected in the second round of the NFL draft by Denver on Friday night.

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