2024 4* Safety Jaylen Heyward

[toddc 13,194]

https://247sports.com/Player/Jaylen-Heyward-46129366/

 

Auburn target Jaylen Heyward decommits from Georgia

JD McCarthy

Four-star safety Jaylen Heyward committed to the Georgia Bulldogs on Jan. 13 but on Tuesday he decided to back off his pledge and Auburn is hoping to take advantage.

They never stopped recruiting the Rockledge, Florida product, getting him on campus for a visit back in March and they are a school he is “strongly considering.”

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The 6-foot, 180-pounder told Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports that he is also considering UCF, USC, Michigan, Miami, UCF, Clemson and that Georgia is also still a factor.

Heyward is the No. 79 overall player and No. 5 safety in the 247Sports Composite ranking. He is also the No. 10 player from Florida.

Auburn’s dynamic duo of Zac Etheridge and Wesley McGriff are leading the charge for the Tigers.

They have already shown they are a potent combination on the recruiting trail, already landing four-star cornerbacks A’Mon Lane, Jayden Lewis and Jalyn Crawford as well as three-star safety Kensley Faustin in the 2024 cycle.

With him expected to be back on campus for Big Cat Weekend, the Tigers will be looking to try and separate from the pack for Heyward and pull off yet another impressive flip.

Edited July 20, 2023 by toddc

[toddc 13,194]

Scouting Report

Instinctive defensive back prospect with a rather promising profile given track times and offensive background. Over 5-foot-10 and believed to be carrying 185 pounds or more. Already pretty muscular in the upper half, but should only add more mass once working with a college strength coach. Spent much of the past two years working as a cornerback in a traditional 4-3 look and was asked to play a lot of bump-and-run coverage on the outside. Thrived in that role with his aggressive mindset and junior highlight tape is full of him fighting through blocks and blowing up screen passes. Wasn’t challenged a ton vertically as an 11th grader, but has shown that he can mirror while gaining depth and understands how to stick his hip right on a pass catcher in hopes of taking away a throwing window. Verified foot speed (a half dozen sub 10.9-second efforts in the 100-meter dash on record) can bail him out if he gets caught looking. Has rushed for over 400 yards at the varsity level while doubling as a running back in certain packages. More impressively, had a decorated career as a ball carrier during his youth and earned the nickname of “AP” for Adrian Peterson. Projects as more of a safety long term with his frame/build, but ability to man-up with most of the wide receivers he sees on Friday nights could get him looks in the slot or even out on the perimeter. Must keep progressing, but has the tools to emerge as an impact player at the Power Five level.

Also runs track. As a 10th grader, was a state qualifier in the 100-meter dash and part of a 4x100 team that carpeted silver at the FHSAA 3A meet. Posted 100 times of 10.68 (2.0), 10.71 (2.6), 10.78 (0.9), 10.78 (2.6), 10.86 (-0.8) and 10.88 (0.2) that season. Also went 22.07 in the 200. 
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2022: Two-way player as a junior getting snaps at CB, RB and WR. Also worked as a gunner and return man on special teams. Totaled 44 tackles, 8 PBU, 3 FF and 2 INT on defense. On offense, went 42-350-2 as a ball carrier, totaling a season-high 146 yards against Eau Gallie. Also caught 2 passes for 62 yards. Helped Rockledge go 9-3 and make second round of the Sunshine State’s new 3S playoffs. Named to the 247Sports’ All-Combine Team at the National Combine in January. 
2021: Got snaps on both side of the ball for a Raiders squad that competed in Florida’s 5A classification. Racked up 35 tackles, 6 PBU and 3 INT. 
-Andrew Ivins

[augolf1716 21,208]

[WDE_OxPx_2010 5,304]

2 hours ago, toddc said:

The 6-foot, 180-pounder told Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports that he is also considering UCF, USC, Michigan, Miami, UCF, Clemson and that Georgia is also still a factor

Hint hint

[Pedaler 1,001]

8 minutes ago, WDE_OxPx_2010 said:

Hint hint

[ellitor 33,105]

Not sure Heyward is a take for us yet. We want 4 total Safeties-Nickels & have 2 committed. Obviously KJ has a spot if he wants in. The other would be between Zaquan Patterson & JH. Not sure who the staff wants more.

Also we like Jalewis Solomon at Corner.

[bigbird 60,567]

5 hours ago, ellitor said:

Not sure Heyward is a take for us yet. We want 4 total Safeties-Nickels & have 2 committed. Obviously KJ has a spot if he wants in. The other would be between Zaquan Patterson & JH. Not sure who the staff wants more.

Also we like Jalewis Solomon at Corner.

Haywood also prefers to play corner.

 

I'm not sure which direction we're gonna head. It may end up being a first come type thing. 

[LPTiger 5,167]

On 7/20/2023 at 7:16 PM, Pedaler said:

Another great line = Can I borrow your towel for s sec. my car just hit a water buffalo.