One to Watch California: Centennial 2017 CB Jaylan Shaw Set for Breakout Senior Season

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Most recruiting highlight reels are set up to do their job, create great hype for a given player showing nothing but the best plays. Trouble is, not all highlight reels truly highlight “good” plays. Not all tackles are good tackles especially for linebackers making stops 5-7 yards on their side of the line of scrimmage. For Class of 2017 cornerback Jaylan Shaw, his reel paints a very intriguing portrait of a rising phenomenal cover corner.

Shaw has had a lot of practice going up against some of the top athletes in the nation playing for Centennial High School in Corona, California. At last count, at least eight guys from the 2016 recruiting class from Centennial signed with next level programs including 4-star wide receiver Javon McKinley (Notre Dame), 3-star running back J.J. Taylor (Arizona), 4-star defensive back Kentrell Love (Washington), defensive back 3-star Chacho Ulloa (Arizona), 3-star offensive lineman Daniel Juarez (California), 3-star linebacker Desmond Williams (Boise State), 3-star cornerback Camryn Bynum (California), and quarterback Anthony Catalano (Southern Utah).

All the great talent has brought a lot of wins. The Huskies went 13-2 in 2014 losing two games to eventual state champs, Nevada’s Bishop Gorman by the narrowest of margins (43-42) and to De La Salle (63-42). The one loss to a non-state champ was to another California powerhouse, Mater Dei, a team they avenged the loss against in the playoffs winning 27-24. In 2015, Centennial was again one of the top teams not only in California but in the nation going 14-1 losing the overall state title 28-21 to De La Salle (Concord).

As the sun rises in the east, be assured that Centennial will again be loaded with talent for the 2016 season. Wide receiver Tyjon Lindsey and cornerback Reggie Whitfield are already receiving a lot of interest but one to watch is Jaylan Shaw.

Shaw (5-11, 175) got plenty of rotation time in with Centennial last year coming up with 16 tackles two tackles for a loss, two picks – returning one 38-yards for a score, and forced one fumble. That stat line would be great for a 4-star playing every down in a given season. College coaches would tend to agree with Washington State and UNLV both offering on Friday. More interest are coming Shaw’s way and should expand even more over the offseason with 7×7 tournaments and camps on the schedule.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the under the radar recruit before he breaks big covering his offseason plans and his recruitment status to date.

Interview

Jaylan, before we get started I have to ask you about the vicious move you put on an unsuspecting running back for your 38-yard pick-six. That was more like a point guard breaking ankles on a cross-over move.

“That was a crazy play. During that whole game, the coach called the coverage to get the quarterback. Our coverage is based on a quarterback read. As defensive backs, we bait the quarterback into throwing into certain areas. Last season we got 18 interceptions off that coverage. It’s what our defense is built around. I read the quarterback and broke on the ball and got it. Then I was thinking touchdown. Being a cornerback, I wanted to get a pick-six in my high school career and got it.”

That was the play but what about the move you put on No. 27? That was a national highlight reel kind of move.

“To be honest, I did not know it was that bad. A teammate told me, “You made him fall.” I heard it was nice but I did not see it at the time, but everyone was telling me about it. It was on MaXPreps highlight reel for the plays of the week. I was shocked when I saw it. I have never made a person fall like that before.”

You’ve been rotating in on varsity during your sophomore and junior seasons correct?

“Yes. I started on the JV team my sophomore year and I was on the freshman team my freshman year.”

At this point in your career, what are your strengths as a cornerback?

“I believe my strengths are press-man coverage. I like being in his face and knocking him off his route. In my press coverage, if I can get both hands on the receiver I can eliminate the route and that contributes to coverage sacks.”

What is the best 40-yard dash time you’ve posted?

“The best I’ve posted is a 4.5 timed by my coach.”

Will you play any other positions during your senior year?

“I believe this year I will be on kick returns and I might be one of our special teams gunner.”

Centennial has won back-to-back Pac-5 titles going to the state title game against De La Salle. Is there pressure in the offseason building to win a third Pac-5 title?

“Oh yes. Our coach has been on us since January. Our coaches make us lift and want us to be more serious about the 2016 season right now. We are working on getting bigger, faster, and stronger right now. Losing state two years in a row has been tough. Last year we thought we had a chance. It hurts you to lose like that. I don’t want to have that happen a third time.”

Are you getting pumped already for your senior year?

“Yes, I’m pumped for the competition we will be facing. We play IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL) and Chandler from Arizona. I’ve been playing with all these guys since before I could tie my own shoes. Miles Reed (running back), Tyjon Lindsey (wide receiver), and Troy Spencer (wide receiver), we are going out with a bang. We really enjoy playing football and are ready for the season.”

What are you working on in the offseason to improve upon for next season?

“I’m working mainly on speed and technique. I want to get more technically sound. I need to work on my lateral movement, jamming with my right hand, and off coverage.”

Is there a college or NFL player that you watch to learn more about how to play cornerback?

“Definitely. That would be Richard Sherman (Seattle Seahawks). He’s a tremendous player. He can get inside the receivers head and he runs the route ahead of the receiver. He’s a great defensive back.”

Are you going to any exposure camps coming up?

“Yeah, I plan on going to Rivals and the USC and UCLA camps. I want to attend a Washington State camp and Arizona as well.”

What schools are recruiting you right now?

“Washington State just recently offered me. UCLA not too much. USC, I’m going up for there for their Spring Game. Arizona, I just got followed by their defensive backs coach (Donte’ Williams) on Twitter. I plan on keeping in contact with him.”

Tell me about the Washington State offer.

“That happened on Friday. Coach Ken Wilson (linebackers) and I have been talking for a while. They have invited me to their Junior Day and send me letters. I was on my way to a 7×7 tournament in Las Vegas when he asked me about my offers. I told him, he gave me a number and told me to call him, and then he offered me.”

What was your reaction receiving your first D-I college scholarship offer?

“I was – I was smiling from ear to ear. I could not keep it in. He just told me I’m receiving a full ride – tremendous.”

When you’ve talked to Coach Wilson, what has he told you he likes about your game?

“He told me they like my physicality. They like that I am not scared to go up and gets hands on the outside receiver. They like my size and that I can tackle.”

You have more good news from the weekend too right?

“Yes. I was offered by UNLV and I took an unofficial there on Sunday.”

How did that offer come about for you?

“It was set up for me to visit UNLV over the weekend ahead of time. Coach Andy LaRussa (safeties coach) told me to come check it out since I was going out there (Vegas) for the Pylon tournament and it was only 20 minutes away. So I took an unofficial there. I told my head coach that I had just been offered by Washington State. He told me to call Coach (Tony) Sanchez because they have heavy interest in me too. I called them and they offered right after Washington State.”

Wow. What a great weekend for you. How did the 7×7 tournament go for you?

“It was great for me. I believe I had one of the best tournaments I’ve had so far. There was a lot of talent from all over the country there from Chicago, Florida, and Texas. I went up against all those guys. It’s great because it gives me different looks. I was getting a lot of exposure. I talked to Erik Richards during the tournament. He’s with the Army All-American Game and he works with XOS.”

Sounds like you had a tremendous weekend. Congratulations.

“Thank you.”

How is everything going in the classroom for you?

“My GPA this semester is a 3.5 and my cumulative is a 3.2.”

Excellent. Have you taken the ACT or Sat yet?

“No. I take the SAT in May.”

Have you started thinking about what degree you would like to pursue in college?

“I plan on pursuing a degree in education. I want to be a high school football coach and a teacher when I’m done playing football.”

What are the main factors you will consider in choosing a college?

“It is important for me to know the coaches’ plans for me once I am there. Will I come in there to have the potential to start or will they redshirt me? It is important for me to get along with the head coach and DB position coach, really important. I want to see what each school offers education wise, that is key. If I don’t make it to the next level, I’ll have the degree to back me up.”

Are you playing any spring sports for Centennial?

“I’m joining the track team for our coach. He’s been in my ear to join track.”

What events will you participate in with track?

“I want to run the 200 and the 100 to get my speed right for football.”

Jaylan, thanks for taking the time to do the interview today. Sounds like you have a lot of great things going your way. Keep up the good work.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Metre Anthony; Jaylan picks off a pass.

Photo credit: Metre Anthony; Jaylan; presnap.

Photo credit: Shaw family; Jaylan Shaw (right) at UNLV with Centennial teammate Reggie Whitfield.