Former Vidalia Indian Football standout Jaylen Clements was named a 2020-2021 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete, announced by the NAIA national office Wednesday (Sept. 15).

Clements, a Junior at The University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky, where he plays on the offense, said he is “blessed” to receive the honor, “I’m truly blessed I must say, college isn’t easy and it can really become a reality test before your eyes can see. As a student athlete, it’s always been student before athlete so I wanted to push myself as a student with my academics just as much as I push myself on the football field. I just use back home as motivation. Being almost 7 hours away from home I know I have a lot of friends and family wanting me to succeed. I also wanted to set the tone for other Vidalia athletes. I want them to see that as long as you apply yourself in the classroom it lightens the load and the stress of being a student athlete. Your opportunity to play sports can end before you know it but the books will always be there!”

Clements offensive line coach at Vidalia, Chris Hamilton, say’s he wasn’t surprised that Clements received the recognition, “Jaylen is probably the most improved football player from freshman to senior year I have ever seen. I had the honor of coaching him throughout his middle school career as well. Jaylen attacked things like the weight room, practice field, and film study, which led to his eventual dominance in games. More importantly, the same intensity that he brought to football he also brought to the classroom. I was not surprised to see him receive this recognition. I am proud that he is having success at the next level, and I am confident that his character and work ethic will help him exceed in his next phase of life.

Criteria for earning this distinction include reaching at least junior status and maintaining a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher.

(Courtesy of Vidalia High School)