Clemson Football: Analyzing recent 2019 commit Jaelyn Lay
The Clemson football program recently secured a commitment from 2019 tight end prospect, Jaelyn Lay. Here’s what the Tigers are getting from the Georgia native.
Clemson doesn’t have very many commits in the 2019 recruiting cycle. This isn’t of much concern as the Tigers normally build momentum as National Signing Day nears closer.
You can’t rush relationships and that’s why I believe Dabo Swinney and company do such a tremendous job on the recruiting trial. They are selective in who they extend scholarship offers to, placing a premium on guys that fit the culture in Death Valley.
While the Tigers staff is no stranger to grueling recruiting battles, they landed Jaelyn Lay fairly quickly. Just over a month after offering Lay, he committed to the Tigers, becoming their third commit in the 2019 recruiting class.
Physical Traits
Standing 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, Lay is a physical specimen. Similar to 2018 signee, Braden Galloway, Lay is built like a jumbo wide receiver. There is little fat on his lanky frame.
From a size standpoint I’d say Lay compares most closely with former Tigers safety, Jayron Kearse. Both have slender, muscular frames.
Strengths
Lay towers over the competition on film. Although he clearly hasn’t grown into his young body, Lay is fluid in the open field. He is a natural pass catcher with more than enough speed to cause match up problems with linebackers on the next level.
Obviously his size is a plus, but, I am most intrigued by his basketball background. Lay has an absurd catch radius and understands how to box-out smaller defensive backs.
Despite being a pass-catching threat, Lay shows a want-too as a blocker. At the end of the day that’s what blocking is about, effort and fundamentals. He’ll learn the fundamentals at Clemson, but, he naturally posses the effort.
You can view Lay’s junior film here.
Areas of Improvement
Just like most high school prospects, Lay is far from a finished product. When you consider the fact that he hasn’t even begun his senior year, his ceiling becomes even more clear.
Lay must work to fill in his long frame with good weight. I believe he can hold 240 pounds easily without sacrificing his burst as a receiver. He will also need to improve as a run blocker.
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Like Galloway or Jordan Leggett for that matter, Lay is a long, talented piece of clay. One that Clemson hopes to mold into a scary receiving threat down the road.