Mayden ready for return, planning visits

The 2014 season has not started off the way 2016 Rivals250 cornerback Jared Mayden envisioned. It is not that Sachse (Texas) has not had success, because the Mustangs are currently 2-1 on the season. However, Mayden has had to miss one game with a concussion and another with the flu.

Friday night against Tyler (Texas) Lee, Mayden makes his return and he is excited.

"It feels good," Mayden said. "This week of practice there were no problems, and I'm ready to get back out there."

Mayden is looking forward to one thing in particular as he prepares for Friday's district match-up.

"Being able to be a leader again and actually lead by playing instead of leading from the sideline," Mayden said.

On the recruiting front, Mayden named a top 10 of Baylor, Lousiville, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Rice, Tennessee, and Texas A&M this summer. As the season enters week four, Mayden does admit a few schools are standing out among his top 10.

"The top ten is pretty much the same. I mean I have a few that stand out. Like A&M kind of stands out," Mayden said. "TCU, Ohio State, Tennessee, Baylor kind of those, and Louisville from that group of 10 have been standing out."

Each of those schools has been in recent contact. However, One reason Texas A&M stands out was his experience in College Station for the Rice game.

"I went out there when they played Rice. That was kind of the best of both because I got to get out there and see A&M and also my brother plays for Rice and he actually played. So I got to get out there and see him," Mayden said. "What really stood out was the stadium and the fans there also. That stadium was just real big and the atmosphere is just real great out there. It was a good time."

He was also impressed with what he saw on his unofficial visit to Baylor.

"Baylor, I mean the stadium was awesome. The fans were awesome," Mayden said. "Also outside of the stadium and the fans, the coaches…I mean people left the defense that started last year and the defense really doesn't seem like they have missed a step. So the coaches definitely know how to get everybody ready for what they need to do for the system."

The two visits have been the only unofficial visits he has been able to take during the 2014 season, but he does have a few more games he is trying to schedule. A trip to TCU is in the works for the Oklahoma game, he plans to visit Oklahoma for the Oklahoma State game, and he plans to visit Ohio State for the Michigan game. He is also looking to attend the Oklahoma/Texas game and the Texas A&M/Arkansas game.

In addition to the schools in his top 10, Mayden is also continues to hear from Oregon, Arkansas, UCLA, Florida State, and Florida. He plans to announce his commitment in February.

Mayden is currently ranked No. 139 in the 2016 Rivals250, No. 11 among the nation's 2016 cornerbacks, and No. 13 in the Rivals.com Texas Initial Top 75 for 2016.