Jayden Wayne is a Miami Hurricanes commitment, hears Thibodeaux comparisons, says goal is "win a natty"
Tacoma (Wash.) Lincoln High School DE Jayden Wayne got a pretty good taste of what the University of Miami was all about during his recruiting process.
He took a pair of unofficial visits as well as a June OV. He built a bond with Cane coaches from their tenure at Oregon, and that continued at Miami where he said he heard from Miami daily (“multiple coaches every day,” is how he puts it).
“They’ve recruited me since 8th grade!” he says.
Now?
It’s all paid off with a commitment.
Wayne will be patrolling the defensive edge for Miami next year.
“They want develop me to be the best,” Wayne said. “They want me to come contribute right way, and they care about me more than just football.
“Me, coach (Mario) Cristobal and coach Joe (Salave’a) have a great relationships from way back. They all want to win a national title.”
Wayne had taken his other official visits to Georgia, LSU and Oregon. He also listed Alabama, Oregon and Michigan State as finalists.
But the Canes won out.
“Miami, they have a great staff there,” Wayne said. “I know coach Cristobal well – he’s like family, brings a lot of energy, is passionate and he wants to win.”
Me, coach Cristobal and coach Joe have a great relationships from way back. They all want to win a national title.
Jayden Wayne
As for his talent level?
Wayne had nine sacks, 19 tackles for loss and also five TDs on offense at wide receiver last season.
The comparison he hears?
“I usually get `Kayvon Thibodeaux,’” he says.
Wayne adds that he’s studied former Cane Jaelan Phillips’ film and that he tries to emulate “his get-off, his motor.”
Wayne’s On3 scouting report reads “Jumbo athlete who could project at EDGE or tight end at the college level. Has good length, with a verified 6-foot-9 wing-span. The length shows up on defense, where he’s able to beat offensive tackles with a long arm move. Shows good body lean and ability to bend as a pass rusher. Makes plays against the run, but can continue adding functional strength. Plays wide receiver for his high school, but would project as a tight end on offense. Quick out of his breaks and shows sudden movements within his routes. Shows the ability to adjust to low passes. Can improve his ankle flexion as a runner. Also plays basketball. Older for the class, turning 18-years-old during his junior season.”
As for Wayne’s goals at Miami?
He says “Just really get better every day. win the natty. And get a great education.”
CaneSport’s take
Wayne is aware of Miami’s history of great defensive ends (“they produce ends,” he says), and he looks to be another future first-rounder on the heels of Gregory Rousseau and Phillips being the most recent to go that high in the NFL Draft. Don’t bet against that happening. Wayne’s potential is off the charts.
