Written by Silas Banister
To be a Division 1 athlete, you must possess various qualities. It takes discipline, responsibility, and persistence, which Jayden Bass shows both in the classroom and on the field for Springfield Central.
Who is Jayden Bass? Jayden is a 6’5″, 300-pound lineman from Springfield, MA, and a senior in the class of 2023.
Bass also has the distinction of being a three-time state champion (back-to-back). But, even with his success, he didn’t always see it that way. “When dealing with past adversity, there were always bumps in the road because I didn’t play my freshman year due to an injury, which not many people knew about, and that one injury caused me to doubt myself.”
Following that year, we were all struck by the pandemic, which changed how things worked, but the discipline established during the pandemic served as a foundation for daily routines both on and off the field.
“During the season, my daily routine was workout, class, practice, and repeat.” Every day of the offseason begins at 5 a.m. with double sessions and OLine position work.
That was one of many foundational pieces, as Bass had grown up around football. So, the goals he set for himself seemed possible because he knew what he was capable of. “I’ve always felt like I could play at a high level because I was always around the game growing up.” Working with my brothers, coaches, cousins, and friends from a young age shaped who I am today.
I improved because of the aggressive culture I admired. After that, the junior season was when I went off.” This dedication to his craft paid off when he committed to play college football, one of his many goals.
Jayden Bass has committed to play for Syracuse University in the ACC. “My deciding factor in committing to Syracuse was because it’s a Power 5 program, I can work and get snaps as early as my first year and play NFL talent in the ACC.”
As he considered where he would spend the next four years of his life, there were qualities in each school that Bass would consider calling home. Still, the main attributes Syracuse offered stood out above other programs.
“The main qualities that I was looking for in each program and in a coach were the family environment, as it is bigger than football, and the cultural aspect of the entire campus,” he says.
As he embarks on this new journey, he must adjust to everything he has known.
Transitioning from high school to college is no easy task, but a student-athlete with the discipline of Bass will be prepared.
“The hardest transition on the field will be staying poised knowing I’ll be playing against more advanced opponents on the other side of the ball.” “Off the field, the most difficult transition will be adjusting to college class schedules.”
Bass has demonstrated many traits he learned as a child and wants to show the youth who come after him that education and focus will push them to achieve any goal they set.
“My advice is to keep education as your priority, as it matters a lot; don’t worry about others’ success; keep grinding, and your time will come sooner than later.”
Jayden Bass will achieve everything he desires and more with the foundation that has been laid. Finally, Syracuse is getting a good one.
