Interview: 3-Star Louisiana LB Jaylon Brown Updates Offseason and Recruiting
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The Sportsman’s Paradise always turns out great collegiate ready football players. One of the many talents in the 2019 class carrying the torch for those Louisiana players that came before him is Jaylon Brown. Brown had an explosive junior season racking up plays all over the field drawing the eye of top college football programs throughout the region.
The Griffins stormed through the 2017 season with an 8-4 record highlighted in part by the play of their junior defensive end. Brown was a menace to the opposition collecting rent checks in their backfield with a stat line of 75 tackles, 12 sacks, 24 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries, one a scoop-and-score. The Griffins’ defensive standout was rewarded for his efforts earning first team All-District and All-Parish in 2017.
Not only are high school football fans in the Stonewall area excited to see what Brown will do during his senior year, so are college football coaches. The 6-2, 220 pound, athlete is adding a wrinkle to his game in 2018. Not only will he get some snaps at defensive end, but he will also line up at outside linebacker and play some tight end giving colleges like Arkansas, Mississippi State, Tulane, Louisiana-Lafayette, and Louisiana Tech, among others, who are already showing interest, great insight to his versatility and next level capabilities.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Brown for a one-on-one interview covering his junior year, offseason workouts, and recruiting process.
Interview
Jaylon, you were a magnet to the ball in the backfield last season. What defensive responsibilities did the Griffins coaching staff give you throughout the season?
“Usually, my responsibilities are to hold the gap and contain the running back and quarterback.”
What kind of scheme do you guys run?
“We run a 4-3, sometimes a 3-4 depending on who we are playing.”
How did your overall game improve in 2017?
“I was quicker off the ball, improved my speed, and added more moves to my arsenal.”
Of all the games played, which was your best?
“The Benton game was my best, against our biggest rival. The hype was great going into that game. We had not played them in the last four years. My energy and my attitude was up for that game. We were ready for that game.”
What areas of your game do you want to improve upon before the 2018 season kicks off?
“I want to improve many things with my game. I want to get better at my chase down, my overall strength, bull-rushing, and my coverages. I am being recruited more as an outside linebacker than a defensive end. I want to work on my overall game.”
Is there anything specific with your fundamentals that you are working on this spring?
“I’m working on my coverage with my 7v7 team. I am playing slot, corner, and linebacker with them. I’m getting a lot of work in this spring.”
Have you been to any camps or combines this year?
“Yes, sir. I went to the Nike Opening in Houston.”
How did that go for you?
“It went well. I won all my one-on-ones, and I showed my speed even though it was raining.”
Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you?
“Louisiana Tech, Tulane, Arkansas, ULL (Louisiana-Lafayette), Mississippi State, and Northwestern State University.”
Have you visited any schools yet?
“Yes, sir. All the schools that are showing interest in me.”
Do you have any planned visits upcoming?
“I am going to Bama this weekend and next weekend I am going to Florida.”
What has you excited about the Alabama visit?
“Getting to meet the coaches and tour the facilities.”
What about the Florida visit, what has you excited to go to Gainesville?
“The same thing as the Alabama visit. I’m ready to meet the coaches and see the facilities. My running back was recently offered there. That excites me.”
Might you attend any college camps this summer?
“I’m planning on attending camps at ULL, SMU, Louisiana Tech, Texas State and a satellite camp.”
Watching your reel, one can tell you play the game with passion, and you like to hit. What fills you with the passion to play football?
“Knowing that where I come from and the environment that I am in, that motivates me. What my mom does for me, that motivates me. The possibility of getting a free education by playing football, that motivates me. Hopefully, I can continue to play well and move my out of her situation right now one day.”
Is there a play of yours from last season that exemplifies all your talents and abilities, or is there just a favorite play from last season you really like?
“My favorite play was the sack on my reel where I almost broke my back.”
I saw that play. That was a wild one.
“I felt it the next day but not at the time.”
What type of player are you on the field? Are you a talker or the strong silent type?
“I like to talk to motivate my teammates.”
If a college coach reads this interview and wants to start recruiting you, what type of student-athlete are they recruiting to their program?
“They should recruit me because I do not get in trouble, I have a 3.5 GPA, I’m a hard worker, passionate about the game and I am willing to do whatever the team needs me to do to win. I will play special teams, whatever. I love learning the game and working to get better.”
Jaylon, thanks for your time today and good luck with your upcoming visits.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: Brown family; Jaylon Brown at Louisiana Tech and Arkansas