Four-star safety Jaylen Heyward told Steve Wiltfong of 247 Sports that Michigan, Miami, UCF, Clemson and Auburn are schools he is considering with Georgia following his de-commitment from the Bulldogs on Tuesday. Heyward took his official visit with the Miami football program the weekend of June 23.
The updated recruiting profile for Heyward has no crystal balls projected which program he could commit to following his de-commitment from Georgia. Heyward is listed as the 79th-ranked prospect, five safety and 10th player in Florida out of Rockledge in the 2024 class. Heyward has also visited Georgia and UCF.
Wiltfong wrote that Heyward took snaps at CB, running back and wide receiver as a junior. In the last two seasons, Heyward has 52 carries for 430 yards and three touchdowns and two receptions for 62 yards on offense. Heyward also has 83 tackles, five interceptions, 15 pass breakups and four forced fumbles.
The defensive numbers came over the last three seasons. Heyward also had two kickoff returns for 75 yards as a junior in 2022. Andrew Ivins, the Director of Scouting for 247 Sports stated in his scouting report that Heyward played CB in most of the last two seasons. Heyward will provide versatility in college.
Ivins wrote that Heward has the ability to cover man-to-man “
in the slot or even out on the perimeter”
Miami currently has three-star safeties
Dylan Day, Ryan Mack and Isaiah Thomas committed to the 2024 class. Four-star prospect Cameron Pruitt is listed as a safety but is projected as a linebacker in college.
Safety is an important position for the Miami football program in the 2024 class. Starting safeties Kamren Kinchens and James Williams are expected to enter the NFL Draft. Brian Balom and Markeith Williams are the only other scholarship safeties on the Miami roster entering the 2023 season.
A commitment from Heyward and potentially five-star safety Zaquan Patterson would be huge for the 2024 Miami class and the future. Kinchens and Williams both started as freshmen. If they depart as expected the opportunity for immediate playing will be there for new safeties on the Miami roster.