4-star safety Jaylen Heyward decommits from Georgia

Rockledge (Fla.) four-star safety Jaylen Heyward has decommitted from Georgia, he told On3’s Hayes Fawcett on Tuesday night.

He had previously been committed to the Bulldogs since January, when he chose them over Florida, UCF, Miami and more.

Even after his commitment though, Heyward continued to visit other programs. He visited the Gators in early March and also took unofficial and official visits to both Miami and UCF.

Earlier this month, AuburnLive.com’s Jeffrey Lee reported that Heyward was expected to be at the Tigers’ Big Cat Weekend at the end of July.

The two teams expected to be in major contention though, are UCF and Miami. Both have been relentless in their pursuit to flip him, and each program has his ear.

“UCF wants me to stay home,” Heyward told On3’s Jeremy Johnson last month. “They feel like I can be one of the highest-rated players ever to go to UCF. They could build off that and have great players come in. If I were to commit, they’d have some more great players come in to build a solid culture and foundation with coach Addison (Williams) and coach (David) Gibbs.”

The Hurricanes, also looking to rebuild into the state’s top program, have caught his attention as well.

“The coaching staff, they’re so confident,” he told CaneSport. “Coach Cristobal, he’s from here, so him getting back in this community and getting it back to how The U was, a dominant team, running the state of Florida. He saw what was good. He saw what was great.”

Jaylen Heyward Scouting Summary

The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder is the No. 96 overall prospect in the 2024 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the nation’s No. 5 safety and the No. 13 prospect in the state of Florida.

On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power writes this about him as a prospect:

“Athletic defensive back with the skills to line up at multiple spots in the secondary. Measured at around 5-foot-10.5, 180 pounds prior to his junior season. A strong athlete who also excels as a sprinter in track and field. Was a state finalist in the 100 meters as a junior with a 10.79 second mark. Primarily lined up as a cornerback as a junior, despite being considered as a safety prospect. Could feasibly play multiple spots in the secondary at the college level.

… Has the speed to run with receivers on vertical routes. Carries wideouts down the field and stays in phase. His man cover skills stack up on the higher end among 2024 safety prospects. Had solid ball production as a junior with 8 pass breakups and 2 interceptions. A physical and willing tackler. Not shy in lowering his shoulder. Also plays on offense, showing his burst as a running back. Pulls away from defenses once he’s at the second level. Does not have a big frame. Looks to be more of a straight line athlete at this time and can continue improving his fluidity and change of direction.”

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