Jerome has overcome torn anterior cruciate ligament injuries to both knees during the 2007 and 2008 seasons to emerge as one of the team leaders and a starter on Penn State's Top 10 defense in 2009. In the seventh game of the 2007 season, he tore the ACL in his right knee. He had played in all seven games. After spending the next 10 month rehabilitating his knee, Hayes returned to action for the 2008 season opener. In the second game of the 2008 season, Jerome earned his first career start. But, during the game he torn the ACL in his left knee, prematurely ending his second consecutive season. As he rehabilitated his left knee entering his senior season, Jerome emerged as one of the squad's leaders for a team that lost 14 starters. He has started the last six games (seven overall) and has 4.5 tackles for losses among his 18 tackles. He has one sack and two pass break-ups for a unit that ranks in the Top 10 nationally in rushing, scoring and total defense, as well as sacks and tackles for losses.