Christian Haynes is one of the more talented players entering the 2024 NFL Draft.
The UConn star is set to become the first Husky to be taken in the selection process since Travis Jones in 2022.
Who are Haynes’ parents, and what was his upbringing like?
A Look at Christian Haynes’ Parents
Born April 13, 2000, to parents Maurice and Tonya Haynes, Christian’s football background came at an early age growing up in Bowie, Md.
“I started football when I was five, tackle football when I was six,” Christian told ThisIsUConnCountry.com. “I love the game. I just love having fun on the field against different competitors. A lot of people that I grew up with are in Power Five schools. Playing with them and playing against them was great.
“Now that I’m here, we’re playing all together at this level. It’s just a big blessing. Playing so much has improved my football IQ. I feel like I know a lot about the game that others don’t because I’ve been playing since I was young.”
Let’s learn more about Tonya and Maurice, and what Christian’s upbringing was like.
Get To Know Christian’s Father, Maurice
While not much is known about Maurice Haynes or his wife, we do know they have had some difficulty in recent years centered around one thing: figuring out which of their sons’ football games to go to.
In a conversation with UConn Athletics, Christian detailed the difficulties of having his older brother, Marcus, play at Old Dominion at roughly the same time the Huskies were kicking off their games.
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“At times, they had to pick and choose what games they wanted to go to” Haynes explained. “They give me a lot of support, and I’m grateful.”
We do know that football was engrained in the Haynes family for a long time. All three of the boys ended up playing college football for Division I programs, with Christian expected to be the first one drafted.
Get To Know Christian’s Mother, Tonya
Like her husband, Tonya Haynes doesn’t have a massive portfolio outside of the work her sons do on the football field.
We do know that Christian is looking to potentially give back to the game after his playing days are over and potentially open up his own restaurant.
Speaking to a fifth-grader last season as part of the university’s Wish Museum Program, Haynes detailed his future plans and the impact his parents and family have had on him.
“I looked up to my dad and my mom [when I was younger] because they are two hardworking people,” Haynes said.
Does Haynes Have Any Siblings?
Football runs deep in the Haynes family.
Christian might be the family member expected to hear his name called in a few days, but he isn’t the first to set his sights on the NFL. Christian is the youngest brother of both Marcus and Jonathan Haynes.
Jonathan was a three-year starter at Stony Brook and an offensive lineman.
Marcus originally signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of Old Dominion last year. While he stayed on the Broncos’ practice squad for the majority of the 2023 season, he signed a futures contract with the Houston Texans once the season concluded.
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Christian has looked back at the moments he played with his older brothers in the backyard as a real help in his overall development.
“We call it competing, and we just try to get each other better,” Christian told the New Haven Register. “When I go home, [Marcus] will tell me drills that he does, and I will tell him drills that we do here, and we just get each other better.”
With the Texans needing some more depth along the offensive line, Haynes could very well be playing with his brother next season if things go the right way over the weekend.
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