Jaylen Striker

Growing up Jaylen was in the foster system going home to home, going through back and forth custody battles, as well as homelessness. Shortly after that he moved with his dad.  Although he was starting to be known as an amazing athlete, he begin getting in trouble outside of sports and school. "Along the way in every program or school, I’ve had a coach that has always believed in me and tried to keep me on the right track. Whether if it was with disciplinary actions or rewards, they did whatever they could to try and keep me out of jail or dead." After his dad passed away many of Jaylen's coaches stepped up and tried to help him stay on track.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
"Coach Washington specifically stepped in at a pivotal moment in my life and saved it. He played one of the most valuable roles in my success. He sacrificed everything to see me go down the right path. While also helping me develop into a great man with a life dominating mentality.  When coach Washington and I first met, I had been getting in trouble in school, had a bad home situation, and  going down the wrong path.  At this point in my life I had zero guidance and no regard for authority.  Mentoring saved my life.  I had little to no guidance growing up. Being mentored allowed me to gain a sense of direction in my life that set me up for success in the future. It also gave me the chance to see that there are people willing to sacrifice there time to help develop and mold boys into men."
After high school Jaylen went off to junior college at Independence Kansas for a year and a half, where  he received his associate's degree.  He then earned the opportunity to attend the University of Colorado Boulder, where he received his bachelors degree in Ethnic Studies with a minor in Communications.  Jaylen is now working on his first entrepreneurial venture as a designer with future plans of being a serial entrepreneur with several businesses. 
"Some critical lessons I have learned are always keep your faith in God, control what you can control and never let life’s obstacles deter you from your goals." ~ Jaylen Striker

Deandre Hollins

Moving to Tampa and going to an elementary school in a rough neighborhood definitely had some tailoring to Dre's upbringing. Influences like bad friends and wanting to be cool was his biggest obstacle. He was raised by a strong single mother who taught him right from wrong but, like many young men he was determined to make his own choices. "I wanted to impress other people who I probably wouldn't even see again."

"When I met Coach Washington, I was fairly new to football and just finishing my sophomore year. I’ve never had anyone take the time to help me develop and coach me like he did. I often wonder if I would have been even more elite if he raised me as his own earlier in my life.  Being mentored by Coach Washington definitely gave me someone to hold me accountable for my own goals. My mother tried her best and I am truly grateful for her. It was completely different having someone coach you hands on who has been there and wants to develop you. His dedication to his lifestyle and family also left a huge imprint on me. Coach Washington would never ask you to do something that he wouldn’t do. He would often run or work out with us and it just goes to show how he leads by example."

Deandre graduated high school with a 4.0 GPA.  Matched with his efforts on the football field, he earned a full athletic scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  There Deandre majored in communications with a minor in human development.  Dre's future aspirations are to start and build a successful family who are financially stable, happy, healthy and loving.  "I pray that I in the position not only to help my own family but other families that are in need of mentorship."

Two things I have learned is that you don’t need everything that you see right at that instance. Saving would do you more justice than a temporary “good time”. Of course you can have fun and enjoy yourself, but something has to be put toward your main goal. The second thing I've learned is value your time.  It is the one thing everybody has complete control of." ~ Deandre Hollins

Chad Jenkins

Chad grew up in West Tampa, FL.  It is an area who's reputation proceeds itself.  He was fortunate enough to come from a two parent household that taught values of hard work and discipline. He was also blessed to have an older brother that was a great example and positive influence on his life.

"I was in high school when I met Coach Washington. At the time I wasn’t focused and wasn’t performing up to my academic capabilities. He began to instill the thought process in me that if I wanted to achieve great things on the football field, I need to first achieve them off the field. I just needed to hear that message from someone outside of my parents. At age 15, coach was the only person that could get through to me.  Mentorship pushed me to mature and become a young man on and off the football field. The message about growing in the classroom was something that got home my junior year of high school. I was able to join NJHS (National Junior Honor Society) when my GPA reached over a 4.0.

After high school graduation, Chad attended Stetson University where he was a able to continue his career as a member of the football team.  Chad majored in Business Administration with minors in Sports Business and Business Law. After graduating from Stetson he went on to attend the University of South Florida where he earned his Masters degree in Project Management.   Chad is now apart of a part of the City Partnerships Team at Visit Tampa Bay.  He has aspirations of continuing in the role of partnerships and events in the professional sports industry. 
"One of the biggest lessons I have learned is to be patient and not get frustrated.  Things will happen when you work for them, not when you beg or complain." ~ Chad Jenkins

Jalen Washington

Jalen’s was considered to be a really good he says. He was a very active kid, always outside when he was young which taught him how to talk and engage with diverse groups of people. This was especially beneficial since he was an extroverted person. As he got older as participated in hip-hop dance, played basketball, and became very active in his Air Force JROTC unit at his high school.

“Mr. Washington is actually my father, so he has known me all of my life. I feel the the biggest impact he had on me was through two periods. One was when I started playing sports. And the other was my early adulthood getting into college. My dad taught me the art and importance of working hard. I learned it wasn’t ok to just work harder than others. You need to work as hard as YOU can work, no matter what that looks like. I remember running cross country, and being in the front at practice, but to be honest I was chilling. I wasn’t working as hard as I could, my dad push me to be better than that which had helped me in the long run. Mentoring has also helped me in becoming a man. A lot of young men, especially if they are like me think they know everything when they get out of the house, which isn’t true. I had to learn that the hard way, but my dad always stuck by my side, even when I felt like he wasn’t. He taught me how to stand on my own two feet and be a man of character and one that could be counted on.”

After high school Jalen went to Tuskegee University and majored in Psychology. He also joined Tuskegee historically famed Air Force ROTC to become an officer. He quickly became a leader in the program, advancing through the ranks very fast. His hard work earned him the honor Distinguished Graduate at his field training which is the top 10% of 450 cadets, only the second in the history of Tuskegee University. Along with his many awards and accomplishments in leadership positions he has been awarded by generals along with officers. In May of 2024 he commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He will start his career as a Missileer, responsible for one of the most powerful systems in the world as a nuclear operator.

“One of the biggest lessons I have learned is the value of figuring out what pushes you intrinsically. If you are relying on the approval of others, you will always feel like you have to do what others want you to do. It can make you delusional to the answer of are doing something for you or for them. Also, I would tell myself to be aware of what comes with being charismatic. People will draw to you and do what you do. So be the leader you want to see in the world and others will follow.” ~ Jalen Washington