Enrolled at Clemson in January of 2009 following high school graduation in December of 2008...ranked as the 86th best overall player in the nation by Tom Lemming, the third best offensive tackle...ranked as #139 player in the nation according to ESPN.com...#11 offensive tackle in the nation according to ESPN.com...#17 offensive tackle in the nation according to Scout.com...#15 offensive tackle in nation according to Rivals.com...member of Rivals.com 250 of 2009...listed as the #4 strongest offensive lineman according to Rivals.com...#7 in South Carolina Preseason top 25 according to Rivals.com...four-star prospect according to Scout.com and Rivals.com...AP All-State Selection in South Carolina in 2008...invited to play in ESPN/UnderArmour All-American game, but did not participate due to injury...missed entire junior season of 2007 due to injury...participated in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas for Team South Carolina along with multiple other Clemson commitments for 2009 including fellow early enrollee Malliciah Goodman...led his high school team to 9-1 regular season record...played baseball and basketball as a sophomore...coached by Don Frost at Christ Church Episcopal School...his grandfather, Jerome Jay, was head coach at Furman....recruited by Brad Scott and David Blackwell...chose Clemson over Georgia, and Tennessee...majoring in communications at Clemson...born Jerome Kenneth Jay on June 22, 1990 in Greenville, SC.

Plyler on Jay: "I saw J.K. on film before his injury and loved his upside. I was a little worried about how he would respond after the injury. I was also concerned about the level of competition. However when I saw him at the Shrine Bowl I was shocked. He has incredible feet and quickness. The Shrine Bowl coaches loved his toughness too. I think we could see J.K. come in and make a run at the two-deep this spring. I think we are talking about a guy that could start for three years. He is a special kid and a special talent."

Reminds Plyler of: A bigger John Phillips