Over the course of the next few months, we will be analyzing each 2019 Clemson football freshman. Today, let’s continue with TE Jaelyn Lay.
The 2019 Clemson football freshman class is the biggest in recent history.
The Tiger coaching staff signed a total of 29 guys, with 17 being mid-year enrollees.
Among those mid-year enrollees is Jaelyn Lay, a talented tight end prospect from Riverdale, Georgia.
Today, let’s take a look at the freshman tight end and his ability to make an impact right away during his freshman campaign.
Talent Analysis:
Lay is the kind of tight end that just doesn’t really exist in the current age of football. He’s a willing and capable blocker, which is an underappreciated skill in today’s spread, up-tempo College Football.
Lay isn’t afraid to be physical with his opponent. He is a guy that can be relied upon to be a key blocker up-front on a run play, as well as a lead-blocker for his teammates on a screen or short pass.
He is also capable of being a receiving threat, especially with his speed and athleticism. The one area that he’ll need to improve is in his handling of the football.
Lay has to work on catching the ball and running with the football after the catch. All too often he holds the ball out away from his body, which is fine in high school, but it won’t work in college. He’s also adjusting in his receiving skills.
Lay is a capable receiver, but I think he is still adjusting to catching the ball from collegiate level quarterbacks like Trevor Lawrence and Chase Brice. He’ll need to work on that to develop into a complete tight end and I have no doubt that he’ll improve over the course of the summer and the fall before the 2019 season begins.
Immediate Impact?
For better or for worse, Lay is going to play significant snaps in 2019. The Tigers only have three tight ends currently eligible to play this season. That’s Lay, veteran JC Chalk and fellow freshman Davis Allen.
With Braden Galloway likely suspended for the 2019 season, Lay is going to be relied upon to learn the offense and be an important piece of both the passing and blocking game.