ALEXANDRIA, La. (UrbanCast: 6/30/2026) — Alexandria Senior High standout defensive lineman Jaden Bayonne will announce his Division I football commitment at noon Wednesday, July 1, 2026, marking a major moment for one of Central Louisiana’s top football prospects.
The announcement comes as Bayonne prepares for his senior season with the Trojans before taking the next step in his football career.
Bayonne has emerged as one of Louisiana’s top defensive line prospects. Last season, he totaled 40 tackles, five sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and four quarterback hurries, drawing interest from Division I programs across the country.
For Bayonne, the journey began more than a decade ago.
He started playing football at 4 years old after his mother encouraged him to give the sport a try. Although he stepped away from the game during sixth grade, he returned the following year and has continued chasing his dream.
My Mom
“My mom was really the one who got me started,” Bayonne said.
Before enrolling at Alexandria Senior High, Bayonne attended Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School. He said choosing ASH felt natural because many of his longtime teammates were headed there, and he had already built strong relationships with the coaching staff.
“I’ve been playing football with the guys in my class since we were 4 years old,” Bayonne said. “We always talked about playing together in high school. I also knew the coaches, and they played a big role in my decision.”
Bayonne credits the ASH football program and head coach Thomas Bachman with shaping his mindset both on and off the field.
You Can Do Anything You Put Your Mind To
“You can do anything you put your mind to,” Bayonne said. “Coach Bachman always tells us to stack days and be consistent. That’s something I’ll carry with me.”
That discipline extends beyond football. Bayonne said he maintains A’s and B’s while balancing academics and athletics. He plans to major in business with a concentration in marketing in college.
Family has remained the foundation of his journey. Bayonne said his mother made countless sacrifices to ensure he never missed practices, workouts, or games.
“She always made the time to get me where I needed to be,” he said.
Bayonne also believes today’s ASH players have benefited from former Trojans returning to mentor the next generation. He recently participated in DJ Chark’s youth football camp, where former ASH standouts DJ Chark, Bud Clark, JT Lindsey, and other current and former college and professional athletes spent time with local youth.
“They’ve brought a lot of exposure to our city and our program,” Bayonne said. “Seeing them come back and pour into us has helped our class and opened doors for a lot of players.”
As Bayonne prepares to reveal his college choice Wednesday, his focus remains on leading the Trojans through his senior season before beginning his Division I career.
UrbanCast will provide live coverage of Bayonne’s commitment announcement beginning at noon Wednesday.
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