National Football Foundation

Jordan Haynes symbolizes everything right about high school football. His reputation for sportsmanship, competitive energy and drive for academic excellence at Jesuit High School in Sacramento, Calif., simply defined him as the best of the best in the West Region. 

A two-time varsity captain, the tenacious Haynes started every game on both offense and defense for his final two seasons at Jesuit, claiming team defensive and team MVP honors. He shattered school records for assisted tackles (123) and total tackles (169) in a season and assisted tackles in a game (26) during his senior campaign. Named the Sacramento Bee's Defensive Player of the Year, he was a First Team selection at linebacker on the All-Section, All-Metro, and All-League teams and played in the Blitz 3 Holiday Classic All-Star Game. 

Valedictorian in a highly competitive class of 256 students, Haynes tallied an impeccable 4.6 GPA on a 4.465 scale. His many honors included membership in the National Honor Society, the Jesuits Excellence Award, the College of Holy Cross Book Award, and being named a National Merit Scholar. Vice President of the Black Student Union, he participated in student government and the Executive Student Council while serving as a Big Brother during the school's freshman retreat. 

"Jordan is the most qualified scholar-athlete we've had in many, many years," said Jesuit head coach Dan Carmazzi. "He is an outstanding young man." 

Active in the community, Haynes volunteered with his church; coached local youth football teams; helped at an elderly home; participated in the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program; and became a regular at the annual Christmas party for underprivileged local youth. 

Haynes was a First Team All-Ivy League selection at linebacker for Yale University and is currently a sales and trading analyst for JPMorgan Chase.