Eisenhower DT is one impressive “Guy”

Defensive Tackle Jay Guy and his Eisenhower High coach Ray Evans

by MIKE KEENEY
Contributing Writer

Jay Guy is an impressive young man, on and off the football field.

When he’s on the football field, Guy is a one-man wrecking crew, but off it, he’s a loving and caring individual who cherishes giving back to his fellow man.

The 6-0, 300-pounder was a three-year started for the Eisenhower High football team and helped lead them to the playoffs three consecutive years. As a senior, Guy recorded 75 tackles, recovered 6 fumbles, and came up with 7 sacks. He was named first team all district by the District 19-5A head coaches two years running and was the 2009 Defensive Player of the Year in 19-5A.

His solid senior season also earned him the distinction of being the Northeast News’ Defensive Player of the Year.

Guy, who will enroll at the University of Nebraska in January, is also a top-notch student. He is ranked 29th out of 580 fellow seniors and is in the top five percent of his class. He serves as vice president of the student council and volunteers at his church.

Eisenhower High head football coach Ray Evans has seen a lot of talented players in his 30-plus years as a coach and he says Guy is perhaps the best he’s ever coached.

“What stands out about Jay is that he’s an academic kid who loves football,” Evans said. “You don’t see too many big kids with his work habit. He never missed a weight (lifting) workout during the summer and never missed a practice.”

When Evans coached at Lamar High School, he had the good fortune to coach Cedric Jones, who later went onto the University of Oklahoma and in 1996 was the fifth overall pick in the NFL draft. Evans said Guy is even better than Jones.

Guy was recruited by Cal, Stanford, Notre Dame, Michigan, LSU, and a number of Big 12 schools, but he chose Nebraska because he was impressed with the defensive scheme run by the Cornhuskers under the direction of head coach Bo Pellini.

“Nebraska is a good fit for me,” Guy said. “They have a great defensive staff and great academics. I really like Coach Pellini, and I felt comfortable with the players when I visited there.”

He also likes the fact that Husker players are expected to contribute in the community as well.

“Their players visit hospitals and things like that. That impressed me. I’m looking forward to contributing to the community as well,” said the soft-spoken senior.

One thing he’s not looking forward to are those Nebraska winters.

“I’m going to have to get used to that,” he said with a laugh. “But I’m looking forward to going there. I know I need to get stronger, bigger, and work on my speed since I’m moving to the next level. But I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

He’s also looking forward to following in the footsteps of defensive tackle Nhamukong Suh, who is considered the best defensive player of the last decade in college football.

“He’s leaving a big gap that has to be filled, and I hope I can fill it.”