This year #33 linebacker Jaylyin Minor is a junior on the field and a senior in the classroom. He is slated to graduate with his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice this spring. He will then have another year of eligibility in 2017-2018 to pursue a master’s degree free of charge.
Mr. Minor has had a difficult, but rewarding journey to get to where he is today. Growing up in small town Navasota, Texas, population 7,000, the 6’ 1” 241 lb. linebacker played high school football under the Friday night lights of Navasota High School. He even managed to play a vital role in winning the 2012 Texas 3A State Championship his senior year. But his main focus wasn’t football at that time. Jaylyin grew up in a tightknit rodeo family. Yes, I said rodeo. However, his family is full of tough-minded athletes. Jaylyin is a small town family man. When asked what he misses most about home, there was no hesitation – family.
He did not attract a lot of Division 1 attention coming out of high school and had to get his academics in order. Coach Grimes helped him go the JUCO route and he wound up at Tyler Junior College in Texas. Jaylyin fully admits this was a rough experience, but it allowed him to get back on track and he learned a ton of life lessons during his stay. He chose UC over Louisiana Tech, Kansas, and TCU based on his efforts on the field and in the classroom. JB Grimes is now the offensive line coach for the Bearcats, a small world indeed. As a side note, if you haven’t watched the six-part documentary about the life of JUCO football players, Last Chance U on Netflix, go watch it as soon as you finish reading this article!
Jaylyin earned valuable minutes last year, recording 30 tackles in 10 games. We will be rooting for him at Camp Higher Ground next week. He should get plenty of playing time on defense this year and has the talent to lasso a few interceptions, as well.
In the words of Tim Riggins, Texas forever. Bearcats Sports Radio out.
By Andy Smith