It was a match made in heaven for George Jenkins junior linebacker Darius Hayes.
Hayes, who has been playing football since 4, was taught to be a player with family values thanks to his family invoking these familial methods on him and those who would become a teammate or friend of Hayes as he was growing up. When Hayes’ family decided it was time for Hayes to choose a high school following his eighth-grade year, it was all about George Jenkins — a program that preaches these same values, too — that became a no-brainer for Hayes to join the program in 2024, eventually helping the football team in 2026 go 3-1 in pool play and making it to the semifinals of the 2026 Polk County 7v7 Tournament at Lake Myrtle Sports Complex on July 18.
Hayes made several key plays as both a pass catcher and playmaking on defense. And he attributed that to his upbringing.
“Every time they see somebody on their downfall, they try their hardest to bring that person back up. And that’s what my family is all about. … They encourage me to do the same thing out on the field with my brothers,” Hayes said.
This encouragement started when Hayes started playing youth football. He had coaches enlightening him on the game. But it was his dad and uncles who preached football training and how important it is to treat his team like it is his family.
“My whole life, my family (has been about not) bringing anybody down, (but) picking them up. If you see somebody down, make them smile. Give them a hug. Make their day OK. Just take them in for an upbringing and lift them up,” Hayes said.
A prime example of his family coming to the rescue was during Hurricane Milton in 2024. Hayes’ home in Lakeland was adversely impacted with no regular electricity for two weeks. But his family prepared for the circumstances, already racking up multiple generators and stocking up food in time. Players and friends of Hayes who were also without electricity stayed in Hayes’ home until power was restored.
This is the type of mentality Hayes has been instilled with, as he plays hard and well for his teammates. Skill wise, he has the speed and the IQ to make plays and to turn around a George Jenkins’ defense in 2026.
“He’s mature beyond his years with his background. Family is very important to him, and you understand why after talking with him,” George Jenkins head football coach Paul Freeman said. “He cares about his teams and his teammates and that has some foundational leadership that really allows him to go out on the field and just be himself. We’ll depend on him in several different ways this season.”
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: How Darius Hayes’ family background can help George Jenkins’ football
Reporting by Robert Magobet, Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Robert Magobet, Lakeland Ledger | USA TODAY Network
