Commerce’s Braden Jolley came to Commerce High School with accolades that will catch your attention. A ‘Born 2 Compete’ All-American while also playing on the FBU GFL team in 2023, Jolley is the type of OL that you expect to fit into a program seamlessly.
He’s done exactly that, and after one season at Jefferson, Jolley is now a starting offensive guard at Commerce High School. The sophomore has made the most of his opportunities for sure, and just last week against Madison County, Jolley delivered demonstrative blocks that left defenders to the wayside.
In fact, the sophomore was voted OL of the Week in Georgia after his impressive game. We caught up with the sophomore and asked how the season has gone so far.
“Unfortunately, the start of the sophomore season hasn’t gotten off to a great start as we have started 0-4, but I have never seen a group of kids and coaches work harder than what we have at Commerce, and I know we will bounce back and get things right in region play,” he said.
Jolley has 11 pancakes on the season, which he credits to an offseason where he worked hard preparing for his opportunity as a starter.
“I had a great time preparing this season during the summer and offseason, and I owe this all to my trainer Kevin McAlmont, and my offensive line coach, Brian Lane.”
At around 6′ and 265 lbs., Jolley utilizes his low center of gravity, excellent strength, and a gritty toughness to efficiently operate in the trenches.
“My mindset on the field is just to dominate the person lined up in front of me. I know I’m an undersized lineman, so I try to use my leverage as an advantage, and I just try to play as physically as possible,” he said.
That has been the resounding theme to his sophomore year so far. If Jolley gets his mitts engaged with a defender, then he really leverages underneath their pads and drives them to the ground. That kind of proficiency should have college coaches interested, even for a sophomore.
“I have heard from Princeton, ETSU, Gardner Webb, UAB, University of North Greenville, Kennesaw State, and many others during the offseason and during the season,” he said.
Credit to Jolley for stimulating college interest so early. He made several visits during his freshman year, and again, that trend has continued this fall.
“I have visits lined up to ETSU, North Greenville University, and I plan on getting back on campus at Kennesaw State and Gardner Webb,” Jolley confirmed.
Undoubtedly, Jolley is a tenacious blocker who is well-trained and has the mindset you want for an interior lineman. The class of ’28 prospect has plenty of time left during the recruiting process, and seems to be going through all the right steps building relationships with college staffs. That should pay recruiting dividends down the road, so be sure to follow @RecruitGeorgia on Twitter/X to hear the latest on the Commerce blocker and athletes across the state of Georgia.
