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Jayland Richardson collects his end-of-season awards at the annual Oglethorpe County High School football banquet. Richardson just finished his first college football season with the Central Georgia Technical Institute Titans in Warner Robins, gaining a South Atlantic Conference Championship and the National Club Football Association National Championship. (Submitted Photo)
Former Patriot Jayland Richardson’s first year of college football couldn’t have gone any better.
A key player for Oglethorpe County’s football team just a year ago, Richardson finished his first season with Central Georgia Technical Institute, a junior college in Warner Robins, by winning the South Atlantic Conference Championship and the National Club Football Association National Championship.
“That game was (special); everybody was in tears all day,” Richardson said.
However, Richardson wasn’t a starting player for the Titans. The 6-foot-3 defensive lineman waited his turn, but once on the field, he said he broke the team record with five sacks at edge rusher in just the first half, then he shifted inside and recorded a few tackles for loss to add to his stat total. His minutes increased from that point on to the national championship victory.
Now, Richardson is planning his next move.
One option is to move beyond the junior college (JUCO) level. He’s put out feelers on social media for a potential move to a Division I or Division II school.
Currently, Richardson has one official offer from Central State University, a Division II HBCU (Historically Black College and University) in Ohio. He recently visited.
It’s also possible Richardson will return to the Titans for another year. The team is moving from a JUCO Division III to Division I, thanks to its successful — and only second — season. The Titans will play tougher talent, and Richardson can get more experience to bring him closer to an NCAA Division I offer.
Richardson said that’s why he decided to go to a junior college, but he noted the college recruitment process has been very different from coming out of high school.
“It’s way better,” Richardson said. “I’m not going to say Oglethorpe didn’t play competition, but my film going up against an offensive tackle that’s 5-foot-6 and 260 pounds (doesn’t) compare to another (defensive) end going against 6-foot-5, 330-pounds and getting the same good film as me, but against better competition. So, now that I’m going against better (competition), and getting better film at a more exposure school, I’m getting more looks.”
Richardson said his growth with the Titans has come from head coach Terry Kendrick, assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Kato Hitson and linebackers coach Vet Miller. He also benefited from facing top talent, like his 6-foot-11 offensive tackle teammate in practice.
OCHS football coach Mike Holland said he has noticed Richardson’s growth since high school, along with former OCHS teammate KB Bonds.
“When you go see clips of a play, you think about how they were in high school, and then you see what just an increased level of competition does to their play,” Holland said. “They look like they’ve improved a tremendous amount from this time last year… It’s kind of cool to see how they’re progressing.”
Richardson still has time before making his official decision.
Holland said he’s given his former player the advice of remaining patient, not settling, and continuing “to build your stock.”
Until then, Richardson said he’ll debate with Bonds about joining each other’s schools, take more college visits, enjoy time with teammates and former teammates back in Oglethorpe County, and enjoy his championship.
However, he does have one more goal.
“I’m trying to get a second ring, of course,” Richardson said.