Son of the Wolverines’ Former Head Coach Shaped by a Childhood Under the Varner Stadium Lights
By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer | garrett@thewoodrufftimes.com
Jaylin Lane spent Friday nights as a kid under the lights of Varner Stadium as his dad, head coach Brian Lane, led the Wolverines to heights not seen in many years.
Now, Jaylin will spend his Sundays catching passes in the NFL.
From ball boy to wide receiver for the Washington Commanders, Lane fondly recalls those nights under the lights in Woodruff and credits those formative experiences for helping shape his love of the game. Lane was also able to observe some of the best wide receivers in Woodruff history during that time, and says watching those great players made him decide to play wide receiver, too.
“Being a ball boy and being around football at such a young age definitely had a huge impact on me,” said Jaylin. “Not only would I be a ball boy on Friday nights in W.L. Varner (Stadium), but I’d be around the team all summer long and during practices. So being around guys like BJ Johnson, Blake Bone, and Keith Person made me fall in love with wide receiver and football as a whole.”
The memories made in Woodruff, Lane says, have remained strong through the years, even when he had to change schools twice due to his family’s coaching moves.
“A lot of my best memories from my childhood are those Friday Nights in W. L. Varner Stadium,” he explained. “There are so many different plays from games that I remember so vividly. I just remember feeling like I was a part of the team and I couldn’t wait until I could play high school football.”
When Coach Lane left Woodruff following the 2013 season, Jaylin played his middle school football in District 5 before his dad moved again to Clover High School. There, he became a phenom and one of the most prolific wideouts in the state of South Carolina for the Blue Eagles.
Following high school, Lane signed with Middle Tennessee State University, where he played for three seasons before transferring to Virginia Tech. Over his five seasons of collegiate football, Jaylin amassed a total of 2,532 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns while also racking up 852 kick-off return yards as well.
He earned Conference USA first team honors in 2021 and third team All-ACC in his final season at Virginia Tech.
During the 2025 NFL draft, Lane was selected by the Washington Commanders in the fourth round and the 128th overall pick. Always a hard worker, Jaylin gives great credit to his dad (and coach) Brian Lane for always pushing him to be his best.
“I believe one of the biggest impacts on my football development in high school was my dad,” stated Lane. “He pushed me very hard and held me to high standards. He helped me build my work ethic to what it is today. I am not sure if I’d be in the NFL without his constant love, support, and inspiration.”
From the sidelines of Varner Stadium as a youngster, to high school superstardom, college, and now to the NFL, Jaylin Lane appreciates the journey his career has taken him on. Hearing his name called on draft day, he said, was among the more special feelings he has experienced and a culmination of his football path.
A path that is still unfolding.
“The feeling I got when my phone rang on draft day is indescribable,” he recalled. “That is because I know that it’s not only what I’ve been working for, but also what my family has been pushing me and praying for as well. It was a dream come true for my whole family, and that is why it was such an important moment. The first few months as an NFL receiver have been great. The Washington Commanders are a special organization, and I am blessed to be a part of the team. I am excited to see what the future holds.”
And Jaylin Lane will always have a band of Woodruff Wolverines pulling for him on the way.
Author: gmitchell85
