Speed. This is the talent that put Jaylyn Scott in his position for greatness. Growing up in the small town of Bainbridge, Georgia, sports is what grabbed Scott’s attention. It was his way out. In discovering that football was the sport that he had the heart for, and knowing that basketball was his second passion, Scott had one common skill between both.
“Speed…I was always fast…so I just outran everybody,” Scott said. “I was just quicker than everybody.”
In his sophomore year of high school, Jaylyn Scott found the sport that would soon make a name for himself. In his first year participating in track and field, Scott made it to state, but fell short and came in eighth place in the 400-meter hurdles. However, that did not discourage the new track athlete. Making it to state two more years in a row, in his junior year he finished in seventh place and in his senior year he won the title, getting first place in his event.
With this memorable accomplishment, Scott earned himself a full-ride scholarship to Florida A&M University for track and Field.
“I wanted to do it, but I didn’t know much about track. When opportunity did come, I pursued it,” said Scott.
The Men’s Track and Field Head Coach Skye Dawson, said Scott is very passionate about track and field.
“He takes track and field extremely serious, whether he’s showing up before practice doing his own exercises or staying later…or just going the extra mile and practicing on the weekends,” Dawson said.
Dawson goes on to applaud Scott for being well-rounded, calling him a “great individual.”
Throughout his college years, Scott earned plenty of accolades including Rookie of the Year, All-MEAC Academic Team for three years and broke the school record in the 400-meter hurdles.
His most recent and prodigious accomplishment was advancing to compete in the 2021 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field National Championship in Eugene, Oregon. Although the outcome wasn’t what Scott hoped, he said that “it was an accomplishment to make it that far.”
Scott is now in his senior year at FAMU and still has two years of eligibility remaining. Within the next two years, supporters will wait to see what Scott can accomplish.