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Palm Harbor University HS 2023 Jayden Griggs Commits to FIT!

Congratulations Jayden on your college commitment and good luck in the future!


Name
Jayden Griggs

Graduation Year
2023

High School
Palm Harbor University High School

Position
Defense

College Choice
Florida Institute of Technology

Why did you choose this college?
I chose FIT for its outstanding Engineering and Science department, as well as the location. The campus is beautiful and right near the beach which made it feel similar to my hometown. I also chose it because I get to compete at the next level in the sport I love, in an extremely competitive conference.

What Advice Would You Give Those Starting the Recruiting Process?
I would say the most helpful piece of advice for those starting the recruiting process is to not rush through it. Make sure you’re weighing out all your options and that you find the place that is the right fit for you athletically, but more importantly academically.

Who Would You Like to Thank for Getting You to Here?
I would first like to thank my amazing parents. My dad has been a person who has always pushed me to be the best in whatever I do and always do things 100%. I would also like to thank my mom for all her love and support throughout the extremely stressful process of deciding on a school. Lastly, I’d like to thank two coaches: Chris Burdick and Adam Deisley. Coach Burdick has been someone who has helped me in the recruiting process immensely and helped build me up as a player and a young man. Coach Deisley being my high school coach has helped me develop my skills as a player and pushed me to places I didn’t know I could go to.

What are your first memories of the sport?
My favorite memory I have from lacrosse is definitely from my youth days at Clearwater Yellow Jackets lacrosse. I was in 8th-grade and we were playing short field lacrosse, similar to the new sixes format. I just remember that year being so much fun because everyone got to play as a short stick and score goals no matter what position they played. It was by far some of the most fun I’ve had playing lacrosse.

What is Your Favorite Memory From Your High School Career?
My favorite memory from my high school career is from my freshmen year of high school. It was the Friday before spring break, right when we were told that schools would be closing down for covid. That night we went on to play East Lake High School, our rival, at home and beat them for the first time in school history.

What is Your Stick Brand? And Why?
Right now I’m using an East Coast Dyes DNA head on an STX Fiber O shaft. I chose the DNA because it’s extremely stiff and doesn’t warp very easily, even in the Florida heat. I chose the Fiber O shaft because it’s lightweight but also durable. Both are very reliable products.

Which Lacrosse Player Do You Most Want to Have a Meal With and Why?
I would most want to have a meal with J.T. Giles Harris. The knowledge of the game but also the knowledge of being a student-athlete would be an extremely interesting conversation and would help me in my future.

Do You Watch College & Pro Games and What Are You Watching for to Make You a Better Player?
I watch the PLL and all levels of college lacrosse games. During the games, I typically pick a defender, at random, and I watch not only when he’s playing on-ball defense but off-ball defense too. You can learn a lot more as a defender watching what a player does off-ball, especially when you’re younger because most players when they’re young focus on on-ball defense.

What’s Your Go-To Meal After a Game?
My go-to meal after a game is a chipotle bowl with my teammates. It’s probably pretty common, but nothing is better than eating with your teammates after a win.

What’s the One Thing Your Teammates Would be Surprised to Know About You?
One thing my teammates would be surprised to know about me is that I can play the drums. I started playing the drums at about 3 years old.

College Team Twitter:
@FloridaTechMLax

College Team Instagram:
@floridatechmlax

College Coach Twitter:
@bradmacarthur

Twitter:
@JGriggs2023

Instagram:
j_griggs_

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