Recruiting and Football Conversation with 4-Star 2022 Texas CB Jaylon Guilbeau
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
For his first season playing 5A Texas varsity football, Class of 2022 corner Jaylon Guilbeau made it look easy. The 6-0, 175-pound, defender showed consistent improvement with his game throughout the season while flashing incredible athleticism and hips as fluid as they get. The Memorial High School standout earned first team All-District honors in 2019 after accumulating 19 stops with 13 passes broken up, two picks, and a tackle for a loss. They other things earned after his sophomore run, four-star recruiting status and 15 scholarship offers.
In a first visit to the RNG Lab, Guilbeau breaks down his season with the Titans, his 2020 roles on the field, and his ever-growing recruiting options.
Interview
Jaylon, throughout the 2019 season you were able to show your versatility as a defensive back within the Titans scheme. Looks like you were playing off-man and some Cover 3, what all coverages were you guys executing?
“We did off-man, some Cover 1/man, but most of the time it was a zone. I can play man, all of it, it does not matter.”
How did your overall game improve last season?
“At the beginning of the season I was iffy. Last year was my first season playing varsity, I was getting the feel. Towards the middle into the end, I started feeling it. I was more comfortable with the game. Everything for me was flowing and improving at the end, I was breaking on the ball, and my technique got way better. I am working on my quick game and reading the QB and getting out of my breaks faster, making plays.”
We talked about how your game improved, once your sophomore season ended, what did you feel were the strengths to your game?
“Playing man; I feel that is my bread and butter. I feel like no one can mess with me at corner, especially if I can get my hands on them. Playing off is my weakest but I am working on it and it is getting better.”
Where will we see you play during the 2020 season?
“On both sides of the ball, at receiver and corner, and I might play some safety in case someone gets hurt.”
What have you been working on this spring to take your skills to that next level?
“This spring I have been working on my technique, sharpening my skills, and improving my footwork. I have been working a lot on off-man so when I get to college can play on and off. To take my game to that next level, I am working on being a better athlete and a better leader.”
Throughout the spring months, what has been your daily workout routine?
“I wake up, go to the gym, lift, and after that, around 12-o’clock, I do my field work. Then I run another two miles, do my sprints and I am done.”
Speed is such a big part of your game, how fast are you?
“My last 40 was at a Baylor camp last summer, I ran a 4.5 last summer.”
Going into recruiting. Which schools are showing interest?
“Ohio State and TCU, that is all that I can think of right now.”
How many offers are you holding?
“Fifteen.”
Jaylon Guilbeau’s Offer Sheet: Alabama, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kansas, LSU, Memphis, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Penn State, SMU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, USC, and Utah
Before the campuses were shutdown and going back to the 2019 season, did you take any visits?
“Yes, I went to (Texas) A&M for the LSU game, LSU for the Northwestern game, UT (Texas) for the LSU game, and a couple more games. I also went to Tulane for a visit, Baylor, LSU twice, UT twice, and I’ve been to A&M a couple of times.”
How have the A&M visits gone?
“Good. Coach Jimbo Fisher (head coach) is a good guy. I like the way he coaches players. You have to be a hard coach to have a great team. They have a good staff and their facilities are nice.”
What about the LSU visits?
“They were good too. I talked to Coach O (head coach Ed Orgeron), we were talking football. My people are from Louisiana; he knows so of my people so we had that in common. I also talked to Coach (Corey) Raymond (CB/RC). They told me they like the way I play.”
And the Texas visits?
“UT went great. Me and Coach Jay Valai (CB) talk all the time. Coach (Tom) Herman (head coach) is putting a good team together, and they have good facilities.”
Once the campuses open back up, are there any planned trips on your schedule?
“As many as I can visit.”
When do you report for team workouts with the Titans?
“We are supposed to start the beginning of June.”
What goals have you set for yourself for the 2020 season?
“My goals are to have a better season this year and be a better leader than our past leaders. I think we can take it all the way, we may have ups and downs, but I think we can go all the way. My main goal is for a better season.”
Photo credit: Jaylon Guilbeau family; Jaylon at Texas