Star Quarterback Ruled Ineligible for No. 3 Argyle

ARGYLE, TX — Argyle quarterback Hayes Hackney has been ruled ineligible for varsity competition for the remainder of the 2026 football season.

The District 3-5A Division II Executive Committee ruled Hackney ineligible under Section 442 of the University Interscholastic League Constitution and Contest Rules, which governs residency requirements. Hackney is expected to appeal the decision.

The committee's vote was a unanimous 6-0.

Argyle, ranked No. 3 in Class 5A Division I, has a 7-1 record and will not forfeit previous results because Hackney was initially ruled eligible by the committee in May. 

Hackney, who has college offers from UTSA and Stephen F. Austin, had already thrown for 2,574 yards this season.

Hackney played his freshman and sophomore seasons at Prosper Walnut Grove, leading the school to back-to-back district championships before transferring to Argyle for his junior season.

At the May hearing, the committee determined the Hackney family had moved from Prosper to Argyle to be closer to Hackney’s ailing grandparents and his father’s workplace. 

However, on Sept. 24, the UIL and the district committee received an anonymous email alleging Hackney was not living in Argyle.

The Hackney family still owns its former home in Prosper. Family realtor Victoria DeLaCruz told the committee the property was marketed as a private exclusive listing and was not publicly advertised on websites such as Zillow. After five to six showings without a buyer, the family leased the home to another party for one year because the market’s peak buying season had ended. Homeowners association regulations prevented a shorter lease, DeLaCruz said.

Under the lease agreement, the tenant agreed to allow showings with 48 hours’ notice, Hackney’s father, Mark Hackney, said. DeLaCruz said selling homes in the property’s price range can take considerable time.

“Less than 1 percent of the population can afford a home that’s $3 million or higher,” DeLaCruz said. “So your book of the people that you’re looking for is very slim. These homes can take up to a year (to sell).”

Mark Hackney denied that his family continued to use the Prosper home for gatherings and said he had complied with requests to verify the family’s residency in Argyle.

“I made Argyle my home,” Mark Hackney said. “I’ll go on record right now. I left Prosper. I’m not going back.”

Argyle Superintendent Dr. Courtney Carpenter and football coach Todd Rodgers said they conducted announced and unannounced visits to the family’s Argyle residence. Rodgers said he inspected the home on multiple occasions, including early mornings, afternoons and weekends.

Carpenter said the district independently investigated the new allegations and gathered documentation to verify residency.

“We have not simply denied the allegations, or relied upon this student’s previous eligibility determination, but independently examined the concerns raised, verified residency information, gathered supporting documentation, and provided additional evidence addressing specific allegations presented to us,” Carpenter said.

Hackney is the latest high-profile player to be ruled ineligible in Texas this season, including Denton Ryan QB Colton Nussmeier, Lewisville QB Laykon Brassfield, North Crowley CB John Meredith III and Frenship Memorial’s Bo Davis.