‘Survivor: Blood vs. Water’ castaway spotlight: Hayden Moss

This is one “Survivor: Blood vs. Water” spotlight that we have been looking forward to doing ever since it was first announced. Hayden Moss is an inclusion for all of us reality TV geeks out there. Some people will blast it as exploitation, but we have to say that we find it genius. Who better to cast for the first “Big Brother” – “Survivor” crossover than someone who is capable of doing very well at both games? Hayden is a physical, strong, and smart social player who won “Big Brother 12” without really any trouble at all.

But could Hayden be the first guy to win both shows along with the first crossover? While we think he can and will go fairly far, this is where we start to get a little bit skeptical for some of the reasons that we are about to explain.

Basic details – Hayden Moss, 26 years old from Springtown, Texas; here with girlfriend Kat Edorsson

Occupation – Real estate

Strengths – We really listed it all out here already, but what Hayden did on “Big Brother” is actually pretty similar to what happened on Kat’s season in “Survivor: One World.” He formed a core alliance, and then he and his allies did a great job of convincing those around him that they were on their side. Then, they slowly started to chip them away. Basically, Kat got Matt Hoffman-ed and taken out a little earlier than the rest. He’s just a guy who is very likable, but knows that he is a threat and benefits from having threats around. On “Big Brother,” he benefited from having Brendon around until at least reasonably deep into the jury phase.

Weaknesses – There is going to be a big target on Hayden’s back the moment this season starts, and for good reason. He is coming into a “Survivor” game, and there are going to be some returning players who want to prove that someone like him from another show can’t come in and win here. We also wonder about whether or not he can really handle the mastermind role long-term. On his show, he benefited at times from having Matt and then Enzo help orchestrate things.

Prediction – With us believing that Kat is out early, we’ll take Hayden to finish in around the same spot as Malcolm on “Survivor Caramoan.” We can’t see these arrogant “Survivor” people letting him get that deep, especially when he is a challenge threat. Basically, we see him becoming the new Matt Hoffman here, and his tribemates taking him out when they no longer need him to be a bigger target than them.

As always, be sure to share your predictions below for Hayden! Meanwhile, click here to read the rest of our spotlights for this season.

Photo: CBS