Jaylen Heyward set social media ablaze this weekend.
While on his UCF official visit, the Georgia commit and nation's No. 6 safety posted a series of photos from the Bounce House locker room. Photo shoots are a standard ritual for any visit, but Heyward's posts were particularly amusing.
There was "Coach AP" (Heyward grew up a big Adrian Peterson fan) sporting the typical sideline look complete with visor. The biggest hit though was a shirtless photo of Heyward standing beside his two would-be position coaches, defensive coordinator Addison Williams and co-DC David Gibbs. Between his own tweet and the one shared by "no context college football" (@nocontextcfb), it was viewed nearly 150,000 times.
"I first came in there and said I wasn't going to take a photo shoot because I've been here so many times," Heyward said. "I really wasn't going to, but I got in there and decided to be a coach for the day. So I put on the coach's outfit, the pants, a tight shirt. I felt like being a coach. I tucked in the shirt a little bit. From there, I'm like I want to have a good time. I started putting everything on. Trying to see the best combos and everything."
Heyward didn't realize the shirtless picture would take off like it did.
"I took my shirt off and we were just sitting there, I'm taking my pictures," Heyward said. "Next thing is I'm like come on, coach! Get in here, Coach! (Addison Williams) took his shirt off and then Coach Gibbs took his shirt off and got in there all swole up."
As for the visit, Heyward said he had a great time. The Rockledge star has been a longtime target who has visited numerous times since Gus Malzahn and his staff arrived in Orlando.
"I enjoyed it," Heyward said. "It was my first time going to Universal. I've lived in Florida my whole life and hadn't been there. Stepping into that environment was an amazing time. The scenery was amazing."
He recapped the highlights.
"When I first got in (on Friday), we took the ferry to Hard Rock and ate with the coaches," Heyward said. "I got to know the players and coaches a lot more. Then we went out to Topgolf. They taught me how to golf. I'm not really good at golfing. That's not one of my sports. They taught me and I learned. I had fun this whole weekend, just getting to know them and their families."
What was his favorite part of the weekend?
"Probably hanging out with the players," Heyward said. "Getting to know the players on a personal level. Getting to know the coaches on a personal level as well. How they coach and their style, everything like that."
Freshman defensive back Jason Duclona was his player host.
"He's a freshman, an early grad," Heyward said. "I had a good solid relationship with him. We go back since last year in the 7-on-7 circuit with 24K. I had a great time with him. He showed me why UCF is a good spot to be."
Addison Williams and David Gibbs have been recruiting him for about two years now.
"I have a really good relationship with them," Heyward said. "It's been building since my freshman year since I got the offer. I always trust them. I can always come to them for advice. They always have my back."
He's a big fan of Gus Malzahn too.
"He's a funny dude," Heyward said. "An amazing dude. He's sweet and caring. His wife is amazing too. They're great people. He's coached a lot of great players and I feel like if I got under him he could coach me to be a great player as well."
A week ago, Heyward's teammate and friend DJ McCormick committed to UCF following his official visit.
"That's blood," Heyward said. "Me and him grew up together. We actually played on the same Little League team. Went to high school and grinded together. We came to the UCF camp together (in June 2021). I got the offer and he didn't. At one point in time he didn't think he was going to get UCF. He didn't think he was going to have big-time offers. He stayed humbled up and he grinded. We worked together and became students of the game. Learning the game of football.
"I love that he committed to UCF. I'm happy for him. It's a blessing. I can't say how happy I was when he committed. He was telling me he was going to commit. It was between UCF and Pitt. You could stay at home and become a Hometown Hero. He did that. I felt good because his people are right there, his mom can see him whenever she wants to. It's not too far from home."
Heyward likes UCF for many of the same reasons.
"One thing about UCF is it's my mom's alumni school," Heyward said. "I just love that. It's not too far from home. My mom could come to the games all the time. One thing about UCF is it's a family-oriented team. Outside of football, they love you. Inside of football, they love you. They're going to be here for you no matter what. They'll support you and have your back."
Heyward, who committed to Georgia in January, says he's enjoying the process right now. He has one more visit lined up for June.
"I have Miami next weekend," Heyward said. "I'm thinking about going to the Auburn-Alabama game just for the experience. I'm getting recruited by Auburn. That's it as of right now. Colorado asked me to take an OV, but I really don't know yet. Keeping my eyes open though."
