Interview: 2017 CB Jaylan Shaw Talks UCLA Commitment and Centennial Football

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

On Aug. 3, a collegiate powerhouse football team dipped into a high school national powerhouse team for a commitment when cornerback Jaylan Shaw pledged to the UCLA Bruins. The pairing has the makings of a win-win relationship for years to come.

UCLA has been a program on the rise since Jim Mora took over for Rick Neuheisel in 2011. The Bruins have won 37 games over the past four seasons twice posting 10-win seasons (2013-14) as Mora gives the football program their first signs of a continuous winning tradition since the Terry Donahue era (1976-95).

Shaw heads to Westwood off one of the more successful high school teams in recent years – Centennial (Corona). The Huskies have won 27 games while just losing three over the past seasons twice winning California’s southern division title losing to powerhouse De La Salle in the state finals. Despite the Huskies being loaded with talent in 2014 and 2015, Shaw’s talent helped him get early playing time in a rotation with a slew of next level recruits. The 5’11”, 175 pound, playmaker had 24 tackles, a forced fumble, two tackles for a loss, and two interceptions during his junior season taking one of those passes back to the house for a 38-yard touchdown return.

The potential and talent has been there, and now Shaw will have a senior season to showcase his abilities out on the island all by himself. The ability and playmaking abilities Shaw possesses was enough to lead 12 colleges extending scholarship offers. Some of the teams seeking Shaw’s abilities included USC, Houston, Boise State, Nevada, San Jose State, Fresno State, Colorado, Colorado State, and Washington State. On June 28, Shaw limited his choices down to a Top 4 with USC, Houston, Boise State, and UCLA in the running.

When the big announcement came on Aug. 3, Shaw posted a statement on Twitter reading:

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I sat down with Shaw to get the inside scoop on his commitment to the Bruins and got his opinion on how the No. 4 ranked team in the nation (MaxPreps) looks heading into the 2016 season.

Interview

Jaylan, when you announced your commitment to UCLA on Aug. 3, was that the day you actually committed or were you a silent commit for a little while before making your announcement public?

“I was a silent commit. That was something between “Coach Meet” (Demetrice Martin – secondary coach) and I. UCLA was the place I wanted to be so I committed. I made it public on Aug. 3.”

How long were you a silent commit before you went public?

“I can’t remember how long. It was not too long.”

Being a silent commit, was that tearing you up keeping that news to yourself?

“To a certain extent. I wanted to keep it within my family. I did not want a big outburst with the news. I knew making it public would be big.”

What were some of the factors that led you to choose UCLA over your other offers?

“First off, UCLA is close to home. That was a big up for me. My relationship with Coach Meet was another. I know with academics or football, they want me to be the best person I can be in college. That was a major key to my decision.”

When you told Coach Martin you were committing, what was his reaction?

“He was excited. He told me I was one of the top guys he wanted on the team. Because of my film, he knows what type of player I can be and he is excited about that.”

Are you or have you already started recruiting other players to join you at UCLA?

“There are a couple of players I need to help recruit.”

Can you say who?

“I’m keeping that a secret.”

Fair enough. How about this, when you do talk to the other recruits about UCLA, how will you pitch them on joining you in Westwood?

“We want the recruits to know that we will be the best class out there and our goal is to win a national championship. No matter their position, each recruit will be coached by some of the best coaches in the nation.”

Since you are so close to UCLA, do you plan on making a lot of game day visits during the season?

“I do. I want to make every single home game I can to help recruit. I know Coach Meet wants me up there.”

Let’s switch topics. I know you had a busy summer going to various camps with one of them being the Pro Football Hall of Fame Academy. How did that camp go for you?

“It was a good experience. Working with Coach (Rod) Woodson was amazing.”

What did you learn from that camp that you will take with you into your senior year?

“I learned a lot from Coach Woodson. He helped me get better with my fundamentals. He told me that I have good feet but I need to get better with my fundamentals overall. He told me that I have the potential to be a really good player.”

That’s great, especially coming from a Hall of Fame defensive player. What else did you work on this off-season?

“I worked on my speed a lot. That has gotten a lot better. I’m getting my body right and in shape for the season. I know we will have a long season and I want to be in the best shape possible.”

You mentioned your speed. Did you ran a 40-yard dash this summer?

“I did at the UCLA camp. I ran a 4.4 there.”

There is no arguing your time there.

(Laughs) “That’s for sure.”

You mentioned a long season for Centennial, how does the team look heading into the season?

“The team looks really good. I think we have the potential to make it far again this season. We have that mentality because we are a powerhouse. We are solid at every position.”

The Huskies always have some tough games on the schedule. Are there any games you are excited to play this year?

“Yes. Our first two game I am really excited to play.”

*Chandler High School (Chandler, AZ) on Aug. 27 and IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL) on Sept. 3

What excites you about playing Chandler and IMG Academy?

“The talent that both teams have on their roster. We are going against two of the known teams across the country. They will push us to our limits to see what we have as a team.”

Jaylan, again, congrats on your commitment to UCLA and good luck with the 2016 season.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Metre Anthony; Jaylan Shaw pre-snap with Centennial.

Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Jaylan Shaw visiting UCLA for the Bruins Spring Game.