Jaylan Foster returns to South Carolina in support staff role
Jaylan Foster went into his post-collegiate career after South Carolina hoping for a chance to be in an NFL training camp this August.
But, when that didn’t happen he opted to return somewhere very familiar. He’s currently helped the Gamecocks defensively, waiting for his next opportunity and helping the program he played for.
“I think, technically—well not technically, but legally—the role he is, he’s not necessarily coaching. But he’s involved with us around the program and is an asset for sure, for all the obvious reasons,” Beamer said. “He’s great with those young defensive backs and all the guys.”
Foster, a former walk-on at Gardner-Webb transferred to South Carolina in 2018.
He had a nice season in 2020, but came into his own as a super senior in 2021. In 13 games, he led the Gamecocks in tackles (72) and interceptions (5). He ended the year an All-American and All-SEC defensive back.
With an opportunity to help the Gamecocks build off last year’s success, Foster will mentor the younger players. Even though they may not get a crack at the field right away, having veterans to lean on for support could be beneficial.
“There’s freshmen that may not play as much next Saturday night as they wanted to, and may end up redshirting,” Beamer said. “Well, Jaylan Foster redshirted a year. Jaylin Dickerson redshirted a year. If you’re not quite ready to play right now, that’s okay.”
For the older players coming back, they’re excited to have their former teammate back in Columbia. Heading into this season, many of them will try to emulate what Foster did last year.
“He’s a great mentor. That’s a brother to me,” RJ Roderick said. “The plays were there. Foster was a guy he just went hard, kept his head down and he reaped the benefits of it. Everybody has their time and it was Foster’s time.”
At the same time, the Gamecocks understand how tough it will be to replace Foster’s talent at safety. However, Foster’s defensive backs coach, Torrian Gray, will love to watch who steps up this season.
“You lose a guy like Jaylan Foster, he brought so many intangibles and so much production and leadership with the group. That’s not an easy thing to lose,” Gray said in March. “Between RJ Roderick, he decided to come back for another year with us and he’ll do great. He’s embracing a leadership role there. A pleasant surprise has been Devonni Reed coming in from Central Michigan and giving us another guy who’s very mature, very professional. He’ll go a long way in help leading that group.”
For Reed, who enters his first season with South Carolina, said he’s glad to have someone like Foster to look up to.
“I am lucky to have coach Foster here with us at the Gamecocks, helping me, mentoring me as well. Just so I can think like him, talk like him and also move like how he did,” Reed said. “But at the same time, I’m also going to be myself as well.”
The Gamecocks, with Foster helping out, will open the season against Georgia State next Saturday, Sept. 3, at Williams-Brice Stadium.
