Rising Star: Brayden Jean

Brayden Jean receiving his Gridiron All-American jr. game jersey (photo courtesy of Jason Saucier)

Brayden Jean is a 13 year old football player in the seventh grade playing for Woodlawn Middle School in the Shenandoah area of Baton Rouge Louisiana. With a 3.8 GPA and a frame of 5’6″ and 140 lb., he plays running back and line backer. Brayden most recently competed in the Gridiron Football All-American jr. game.

Brayden Jean Q&A:

Q: When did you start playing and what inspired you to keep playing?

A: I really started playing when I was five or six. Seeing the NFL players doing great and being around the high school atmosphere when they played football really inspired me to keep going.

Q: Did you ever think about leaving the game and if so what helped you change that?

A: There was a time where I thought about it but I just wanted to get better so I kept going.

Q: What do you believe are your biggest strengths on and off the field?

A: My biggest strength is that I’m very smart and I can read the field. Plus I’m very smart off the field too, and keep good grades.

Q: What does your pre-game routine look like?

A: Listening to music and thinking about what the game plan is. I listen to rap or something that can hype me up.

Brayden evading a tackle at the Gridiron All-American jr. game (photo courtesy of Jason Saucier)

Q: How do you balance being a student and an athlete?

A: I just keep thinking about how I can be great and I keep going, pushing to be better and do well in school.

Q: What’s your dream school?

A: LSU or Alabama. Alabama I like how they can coach and get players into the league in a few years. LSU is just like a good environment to be in and they improve the players over time.

Q: If you had 20 seconds to pitch yourself to the head coach of, what would you say to them?

A: That I’m very smart, have good character, am kind, and could do very well on the football field.

Q: Who is your biggest inspirational figure?

A: The Saints, and I don’t think I have a favorite moment because I wasn’t born when they won the Super Bowl or did something great.

Q: Who is your biggest inspirational figure?

A: Ray Lewis, because I like his play style and the way he acted.

Brayden in action at the Gridiron All-American jr. game (photo courtesy of Jason Saucier)

Q: What is your favorite activity outside of football?

A: Playing video games or going outside. I play a lot of sports game like 2k,Madden, UFC, and also a lot of racing games.

Q: What is your favorite memory from playing football?

A: When I was seven and I won the Super Bowl for the little league team I was playing for. I was happy, excited, and couldn’t believe that I got the ring.

Q: What are some of your current goals?

A: To at least get an offer by my junior year in high school and to do well in school.

Q: If you had to give advice just getting into middle school football for the first time, what advice would you give them?

A: Just to be ready for anything, and to keep working.

Q: What is your favorite movie or television show?

A: I would say my favorite movie is Transformers. Well all the Transformers movies I’ll be honest.