Academic Athlete/Columbus Valley/October 2013
Jailyn Trice
Columbus High School
Columbus, Georgia
By Beth Welch
Photos by Jerry Christenson
Blue Devil basing future on grades not sports..
Columbus High School senior Jailyn Trice has caught the attention of several college coaches who would love for the talented middle linebacker to join their football programs next fall.
The 5’9”, 190-pound athlete hasn’t let the attention go to his head or alter the steady path he has been on since middle school. That’s when he first recognized that academics, rather than sports, would serve him better in the long run.“Colleges aren’t looking for athletes. They are looking for student athletes,” says Trice, placing emphasis on ‘student.’ Making good grades has been important for Trice ever since he began school. The motivation for academics to be a priority came in the form of the discipline and guidelines set forth by his mother, Eddie Smith. “My mother always made sure I was doing what I was supposed to. I didn’t love school but I liked it and when I started playing football, she made it clear that the only way I would play was if my grades were good. It wasn’t hard for me to make A’s and B’s so I could play football,” Trice recalls. Trice’s love of football began when he played Pee Wee football. Typical for that program, Trice played nearly every position (and is quick to point out his team was good), but when he got to Fort Middle School, Trice decided to go out on a limb and try out for the football team as a wide receiver. The result was not pretty. “I got cut,” says Trice. “Yeah, I couldn’t catch the ball. I wasn’t that big so I figured I would go out for wide receiver since there were much bigger guys in the defensive positions. Didn’t work out too well.” He can laugh about it now but it was a defining experience in Trice’s life. Instead of pouting or being critical of the coaching staff, Trice became determined to make the team the following year.
He was successful in his efforts and was a starting player in the eighth grade. His grades took on new importance as Trice realized he had natural ability in the classroom, which worked for him on the playing field when it came to understanding plays and learning techniques. Trice’s intelligence and athletic talent gave him several options when it came time to choose a high school. He doesn’t miss a beat when asked why Columbus High won out over his other choices.“My mother,” he says simply.Trice saw the prospect of attending Columbus as having several benefits. He knew the school’s reputation for having a demanding academic program that would challenge him, and he felt he would get more playing time as a young football athlete at Columbus as opposed to some other schools. He was right on both counts. “Two weeks after we put on pads, I was playing varsity. I had thought I would get to play some as a freshman, which would give me an opportunity to learn some things, but that was quick. Kind of scary, too,” he says. As for academics, Trice found himself part of a student body serious about its studies. Finding a place with others who held the same academic ideals gave Trice a feeling of confidence. The rigorous course work has been difficult at times but Trice knows his education is going to help secure his future.
On the football field, Trice has used his intellectual capabilities to earn his position as middle linebacker. Sometimes referred to as the captain or quarterback of the defense, MLB players give a whole new meaning to the phrase “going head to head” with someone. “I started on the outside, moved to inside and then moved to middle. I like middle linebacker a lot because I am lined up right there opposing the quarterback and I get to try to mess with his head, figure him out, try to out-think what he is going to do,” Trice says. Using his head is one of the things Blue Devils head football coach Phil Marino appreciates about Trice.“He has great instincts. He always plays and gives 100 percent. Extremely smart and has good knowledge of the game of football. He has become a student of the game,” says Marino.
This senior season is important for Trice in many ways. Last year he was disappointed in his performance and spent the offseason of his junior year working on getting in better shape. He slimmed down from 225 pounds to his current 190 and picked up a little more speed in the process. With his strong academic foundation (he has a 3.8 GPA) and new, improved athleticism, Trice hopes more colleges will take an interest in him. “Jailyn was not in very good shape last year and it affected his overall play. Even though I feel he may have lost a little more than he needed to, he looks great and is in incredible shape. With his weight loss he has still maintained his strength but improved his speed and quickness. I am so proud of how Jailyn bounced back from his junior season. He has offered to play any position necessary to help his senior year be successful,” Marino says. Trice isn’t making any plans just yet but admits he is open to a scholastic scholarship if the right athletic scholarship doesn’t come along. Trice wants to study forensic science and has a few schools on his short list that will fit into that plan. He would also love the opportunity to play football at the next level. As he faces another big decision about four years of his life, Trice feels comfortable in saying he can see himself balancing sports with academics at the next level.
“I have learned time management and other skills because of my time here at Columbus High. If I get the chance to play football in college, I am confident I can handle the grades to keep me there,” says Trice.
Getting to know Jailyn
Family: Mom, Eddie Smith; dad, Eddie Trice; two brothers and three sisters
Favorite food: Ice Cream
Music he prefers: All styles and genres
Pre-game ritual: Stay quiet and stay focused
Favorite place to eat in Columbus: Just about anywhere
Church: Macedonia Christian
Favorite subject in school: science
Last book he read: Grapes of Wrath
Best movie: Friday Night Lights
Favorite team: Denver Broncos
Athlete he admires: Ray Lewis
One thing most people would be surprised to learn: I seem outgoing but I am really a loner.
Motto: Work hard and good things will happen
Best thing about attending Columbus High School: The education you receive
Jailyn had one interception, caused four forced fumbles and racked up 52 tackles last season. “He has played three years of varsity football and I hope his fourth year is the most memorable! He is an outstanding young man with a great future.”—Phil Marino, Columbus High football coach
