2024 Top 40 Safety Jaylen Heyward names top 6

Four-star safety Jaylen Heyward of Rockledge (Fla.) High is down to six schools– Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Ohio State, Michigan, and Florida.

The 6-foot, 180-pounder went in depth on his finalists.

Georgia

“I love the atmosphere in Georgia,” Heyward said. “It feels like a family environment. Their coaches are really trying to develop me and make me a really good player. With Muschamp at the DC and Coach Fran as the DB coach, I feel like those two right there are the best defensive coaches I ever met. On top of that you have Kirby Smart who was a DB throughout his career so he could teach me a lot of good skills.”

Alabama

“With Bama you know it ain’t really nothing new, it’s Bama,” Heyward said. They got one of the best head coaches in the game to be honest. He is also a db coach, so I feel like he could develop me with T-Rob. Bama is a top tier program and I feel like I’m a top tier player that can play in their scheme.” 

Tennessee

“With Tennessee you know they have always been a good school,” Heyward said. “With this new head coach they have, he’s doing something really special and I like what he’s doing. The way Tim Banks runs the defense, I feel like he could also help me and put me in the right spot to go to the next level. Willie Martinez is also a good secondary coach. The way he talks about the game makes me feel like I could go up there and play right now!”

Ohio State

“With Ohio State, they’re one of the top programs in the country as well,” Heyward said. “ Coach Eliamo at the db coach, he could turn me into the next Sauce Gardner because he came from Cincinnati and he was his coach so that’s one reason why I’m fired up about them. Also with Ryan Day as the head coach, he’s a family guy and a good head coach. Even though I haven’t been up there I feel like I will love the environment up there.”

Michigan 

“I don’t really know much about Michigan but their coaches have been recruiting me hard since Sept ,” Heyward said. “The whole coaching staff texted me that day so I feel like the love there would also be crazy. But Michigan seems like a great environment. Plus every year I see them in the top 10 or at least top 5, so I feel like their program is built really well. They also said I remind them of Jabril Peppers from the Giants, and ever since then I kinda watch him and study his game.”

Florida

“With Florida they have always been a dream school of mine,” Heyward said. “The way they’ve been recruiting the state of Florida has been crazy. With Coach Napier as the head coach, I feel like he’s doing an amazing job. Also with Coach PT and Coach Raymond as the DB coach and safety coach they are gonna push me to be the best player I can. The environment in the swamp is just amazing. I’ve been there so many times during this recruiting process and I loved every single visit.”

Heyward ranks as the No. 39 player in the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that accounts for all four major recruiting sites. He also tabs in as the No. 3 safety and the No. 10 player in the state of Florida.