Few defensive backs dominated the stat sheet in 2021 fairly like South Carolina’s Jaylan Foster.
Having simply been positioned on scholarship the yr earlier than after strolling on in 2017, Foster exploded with probably the greatest seasons for an SEC defender this season. He tied for fourth within the FBS with 5 interceptions, main the SEC in that statistic. Now, he appears to hold that momentum into the NFL.
Draft Wire had the prospect to talk solely with Foster about his work ethic, what his breakout season meant to him, his expertise enjoying broad receiver, and way more.
JI: You exploded from a manufacturing standpoint this yr, and have been named a Walter Camp All-American. What went into this yr to have as large of a season as you probably did?
JF: Yeah, I imagine my preparation over the summer season – spring and summer season main as much as the season – and I wished to be sure that I put within the work to get the outcomes that I would like. That’s what I attempted to do, and it clearly helped out. Additionally, God performed an enormous half, as a result of with out Him, I wouldn’t be who I’m right now. He blessed me with some large athletic potential, [so] the work and God.
JI: You additionally bought named Athlete of the Yr by South Carolina this yr. What did that imply to you?
JF: That was one other large accomplishment for me, simply because numerous monumental individuals within the soccer program or athletics on the College of South Carolina, interval, has have received these awards, and it meant so much, simply to place my title down the historical past with numerous these guys.
JI: You’ve had a protracted journey attending to the place you’re at now. Was there ever any doubt that set in if you have been both at Gardner-Webb or strolling on to South Carolina, and the way did you overcome that?
JF: I wouldn’t say doubt. I simply at all times believed I had the expertise and the power to do it, so I wouldn’t say it doubt. I might simply say, simply ready on the proper time for issues, that was my greatest factor. Wait on the proper time, as a result of the time was gonna come; [I] simply needed to wait on it.
(Picture by Todd Kirkland/Getty Pictures)
JI: Going again to that call to switch from Gardner-Webb, what was your mindset heading into that thought course of, and what in the end led to that call?
JF: Yeah, so my mindset was, I’m a man who likes to compete, and I at all times felt like I may compete on the highest degree. Sadly, that didn’t occur proper out of highschool, however it occurred. That was actually my mindset; [I] simply need to compete with a number of the finest guys within the nation. I need to take my abilities to the NFL, so I knew I needed to go compete with so many guys which are gonna be there on Sundays. The choice was straightforward, to be trustworthy. I inform you the reality, as a result of as quickly as I had alternative, I jumped on it. I jumped on it earlier than I even instructed my mother and father what I used to be gonna do. I form of instructed them on the market, [the] choice had already been made. That call was very straightforward to make.
JI: One factor that stands out on tape is your soccer IQ, and the way rapidly you course of issues on the again finish. What are a number of the first belongings you’re pre-snap and post-snap?
JF: Yeah, so pre-snap, at first, I simply have a look at the formation and the ball placement as a result of numerous instances the formation that they’re in relies on the place the ball is; it’s gonna inform what was coming. So the subsequent factor I have a look at, because the ball is snapped…[South Carolina defensive backs coach Torrian] Grey, he had us on a factor the place we learn the top man on line of scrimmage, both on the prime or the tight finish, to allow them to inform if it’s a run or move. That’s actually the place my eyes go first and when the is ball snapped, I see. As soon as I determine what they’re telling me, then I simply scan the sphere or have a look at these route ideas or run scheme that I’ve seen on movie out of these formations.
JI: How have your conferences with NFL groups gone?
JF: Man, total, it’s been nice. I believe anytime you’re on this place, any alternatives that you’ve got are nice. Lots of people don’t get these alternatives, so you already know that by itself, it’s nice. It’s surreal to me; it nonetheless hasn’t hit me simply but, that I’m about to be in NFL. I’m taking it daily, so every part’s been nice.
JI: Which defensive backs have you ever grown up idolizing?
JF: Yeah, so rising up, I truly performed receiver, so Dez Bryant was my favourite participant rising up, simply because I wished to be a receiver. As soon as I began transitioning to defensive again dwelling, Vernon Hargreaves, his time in Florida is a man who I checked out so much. Once you get to the NFL, Tyrann Mathieu is a man…I like his sport. I like his IQ, the sport and every part he stands for. Jalen Ramsay, identical factor: two dominant guys, All-Professional guys. Budda Baker is one other man I simply attempt to take bits from, after which Kenny Moore. These are the principle guys I watch and attempt to say, “Hey, have a look at that stuff” and add it to my sport.
(AP Picture/Sean Rayford)
JI: Do you’re feeling like having performed highschool ball at broad receiver provides you an edge from a ball abilities perspective from the remainder of the category?
JF: It most positively makes every part a lot simpler. As quickly as I see the formations, I flash again to the form of route ideas we had out of these formation, and it form of helps me bear in mind issues like that. I might say positively; it positively has helped me out so much, particularly the ball-hawking abilities: simply going as much as get the ball, meet it at its highest level and snag it down, and issues like that. The receiver a part of my sport has positively helped.
JI: How do you wish to spend your free time outdoors of soccer?
JF: I’ll be in the home. I’m both watching some kind of podcast, or I’m simply chilling. I don’t actually do an excessive amount of outdoors. [I] identical to being inside with myself a little bit bit, to those that I’m shut with, spend my time with these individuals.
JI: What podcasts are you into at the moment?
JF: Oh, sure. So I’ve been I’ve been watching The Pivot: Fred Taylor, Channing Crowder and Ryan Clark. I liked Fred and Channing after they have been on I Am Athlete, so I simply adopted them. I watch these guys, Million Dollaz Value of Recreation with Gillie and Wallo. These two podcasts, I’ll be on every day.
JI: Let’s say I’m an NFL basic supervisor. What would I be getting if I drafted you to my crew?
JF: At the start, a God-fearing man; God is my life. Then, a canine on the sphere. I identical to to compete, irrespective of who the opponent is, how large, quick, robust no matter it’s. I identical to to compete. I like to go away every part on the market within the discipline each time. Off the sphere, the identical man: I wish to compete in life. I assault every day, make the very best out of it, get 1% higher at life.