COCONUT CREEK – Jaylin Woods is on the move right now.
The 5-foot-10, 170-pound athlete made his own transfer move this offseason from Wellington to Monarch. He spoke on what led to his transition from Palm Beach County to Broward County.
“My family and I moved there,” Woods said. “I also have family down there coaching at the school. Last year, they were a state semifinalist, so it was a perfect fit for me.”
The experience so far at Monarch has been going well for Woods. He’s coming off a team victory at the FAU 7-on-7 Tournament that took place last week (Wednesday, June 19) at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton.
“I feel it was a good tournament,” Woods said of the FAU 7-on-7 Tournament, which Monarch won outright. “It was lot of good competition there, like Santaluces, West Boca, and Palm Beach Central, amongst others, and we were able to get it done. I feel my coach (Calvin Davis) was happy with my contributions.”
Woods spoke more about his summer offseason.
“It’s going well with lifting and practicing,” Woods said. “I was personally invited to a few camps that I’ll be attending soon like HBCU Mega Camp on July 6 in Atlanta, among many others.”
With that said, Woods reflected on his time at Wellington this past season as a junior.
Last year, Woods posted the following statistics:
OFFENSE
•27 receptions, 341 yards, 3 touchdowns
DEFENSE
•2 tackles, 1 pass breakup
SPECIAL TEAMS
•10 kickoff returns, 284 yards; 28.4 yards average (11th in the state)
•2 punt returns, 17 yards
•301 total yards
TOTAL
•648 all-purpose yards
BEST INDIVIDUAL GAME
•Week 9 against Palm Beach Lakes (60-34 loss): 4 receptions, 119 yards, 1 touchdown; 3 kickoff returns, 66 yards; 190 all-purpose yards
Woods touched on his performance against Palm Beach Lakes.
“Well we really went in practice all week feeling like we could win that game,” Woods said. “Wins were few last season, so I just let coach (Wellington head coach Ross Pryor) know I was willing to do whatever it takes out there to try and get us a win.”
Wellington finished this past season with a 2-8 record.
“We lost a lot of talent and had to play a lot of underclassmen who would have been on junior varsity as starters on the varsity team,” Woods said. “But I wanted to stay and try to make the most of the situation, being that I just transferred there. Team wise, we beat only John I. Leonard and Royal Palm Beach. Individually what I loved is that I did make the All-County team offense and made some big plays. But as you know football is a team sport, so even if I made some plays, losing took the fun out of it.”
Woods shared a key positive moment from last season with Wellington.
“A good memory would be beating Royal Palm Beach at home,” Woods said of his former’s team 16-15 victory in Week 4. “It was a close game. I had a long touchdown catch that helped get the win. It was Coach Pryor’s first win as a head coach.”
Woods touched on his high school football journey, which started in Belle Glade.
“Shout out to Glades Day,” Woods said. “I played varsity as a freshman and started as a sophomore there. I think it prepared me to dominate this senior year with Monarch in a big stage, since I never played freshman or JV ball. Mucksteppin for me is remembering where I came from; the practices and smelling the sugar cane burning all day to now, just the grind of it.”
Going all the way back to the present moment, Woods is focusing on doing whatever it takes to earn college scholarship offers and maximize on the next few months ahead.
“I have lot of interest from schools ranging from Division 1 to NAIA,” Woods said. “I’m loving the atmosphere and competitive schedule at Monarch. There will be great opportunities to showcase my ability on the field in front of college coaches.”
Woods wrapped it up with his specific goals for the upcoming fall season at Monarch.
“It’s about the team first,” Woods said. “We were close to state champs last season, so I hope to help where I can to try to win. Being the state champs is the goal. Individually, I made All-County last year, so this year I want to do better and make All-State as I feel I’m one of the best inside or outside wide receivers and returners in the state. I just want to prove myself and to others so I could get a scholarship to play on the next level.”
PHOTO CREDITS: Spaederpics / Vall.Snaps
Muck City Media Enterprises 
Leave a comment