digest art
Dressed in jersey number 50, green with yellow stripes on his shoulder pads — sits tall, Jaydan Thomas. “I have to show leadership on and off the field. Back then I didn’t really say much, but now I’m more vocal with my team,” he reflects, sitting quietly in the classroom.
His teammates might describe him as “big,” but Thomas has become the focal point and steady leader his team relies on. Chosen as captain by both his teammates and coaches, he takes leadership seriously helping others with plays on the field and math homework for class.
Senior Night — a time to remember and to leave a legacy. It’s the last home game of the season, the final moment he’ll take the field as a senior, and the first step toward the next chapter of his life.
Football wasn’t always at the forefront for Thomas. He didn’t start playing seriously until high school, where he found his place on both the offensive and defensive lines for Southern Lab, the Kittens, as many call them, or the “baby Jaguars,” in lineage to Southern University.
Thomas said he began to truly find his path in football once he was surrounded by close friends who supported him and helped him grow into the player he is today.
“It wasn’t really fun for me at first. But once I got to high school and started being around people who actually wanted to do stuff as a team — not just because our parents told us to — that’s when I really started enjoying football.”
What began as just a pastime quickly evolved into an outlet, a place where he could release his emotions and play with no consequences.
What stood out for him his first time starting on varsity during his football career was going to the state championship where southern university played their contrivance to support southern lab, lights shining on the team in colors green and yellow.
His smile bloomed and his eyes softened as he shared what motivates him, mentioning his two younger sisters, who are always excited to see their older brother play.
While he hopes to continue his football career in college, Thomas plans to major in mechanical engineering at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, aiming to gain experience working in a plant and eventually build his own business.
As he continues, Thomas will miss his younger teammates, the camaraderie in the locker room, the laughter, and the coaches who guided the team both on and off the field. These memories will stay with him as he moves forward.
“Never settle. Always think of the best of what you think you can have,” Thomas said — a motto he lives by. His journey, like his time on the field, is just beginning.