Five-Star Edge Rusher Jayden Wayne Still Has Alabama as His ‘Top School’

Jayden Wayne has had a number of conversations with Nick Saban. Following each, the five-star edge rusher has left with the identical feeling.

Alabama is a spot that may assist him develop into a greater man in addition to a soccer participant.

“At all times, they’re my prime college,” Wayne instructed BamaCentral. “Coach Saban is the perfect.”

Wayne spoke with Saban over a Zoom name on Tuesday the place the 2 of them mentioned his potential future in Tuscaloosa. Whereas the pinnacle coach can see the 6-foot-5, 235-pound athlete turning into an elite go rusher on the subsequent degree, he additionally believes his future is simply as brilliant on the opposite aspect of the ball.

Wayne is broadly thought-about as an edge rusher but in addition serves as a decent finish for his highschool. It’s doubtless he would serve on the defensive aspect of the ball if he selected the Crimson Tide. Nevertheless, given Alabama’s lack of depth at tight finish, a swap to offense isn’t out of the query.

“[Saban] actually likes my dimension and athleticism,” Wayne stated. “He thinks I can contribute to the tight finish place instantly or choose outdoors linebacker if I need to. He stated I can excel at both. I actually like outdoors linebacker, but when Coach Saban says I am higher at tight finish, then the workforce wants to return first.”

Throughout his junior season final 12 months Wayne recorded 79 tackles, together with 19 stops for a loss and 11 sacks, to go together with 23 quarterback hurries and three compelled fumbles on protection. He additionally chipped in 269 yards and 5 touchdowns on 18 receptions as a decent finish.

Wayne, a local of Tacoma, Wash., native is rated because the No. 3 edge rusher and No. 28 general participant within the 2023 class, in line with the 247Sports Composite. Whereas the Crimson Tide hasn’t signed many gamers from the Pacific Northwest, Wayne stated he and his household are usually not involved concerning the potential of creating a cross-country journey if his soccer profession takes him in that course.

“They do not thoughts. They like touring,” Wayne stated. “They only need me to comply with my goals and be the perfect model of me I can.”

Wayne took an official go to to Georgia final week. He’s scheduled to take official visits to LSU (June 10), Miami (June 17) and Oregon (June 24). Following his dialog with Saban, he stated the pinnacle coach is urging him to make his official go to to Alabama in the course of the fall. 

Gallery: Jayden Wayne