Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancellation of the spring season, the Upper Iowa Athletics Department is spending the next few months spotlighting many of our Peacock student-athletes whose spring seasons came to a premature end. 

In today's virtual interview, Pete the Peacock gets to know UIU Track & Field's Jaylen Hobson. Jaylen is a freshman from Dekalb, Illinois who came to Fayette last year from Dekalb High School. He is majoring in exercise sports science.

PETE: How would you describe yourself in three words?    
JAYLEN: Outgoing, determined, and stylish.

PETE: What made you want to be a collegiate student-athlete?    
JAYLEN: Because sports have always been apart of my life. I wanted to continue to play them while working towards my future career.

PETE: What have you learned about what it takes to be a student-athlete?
JAYLEN: It takes a lot of hard work and focus. It is not for everyone, but if you give your all in your classes and sport you'll do great!

PETE: What is your favorite way to de-stress?    
JAYLEN: I love taking pictures of anything and anyone.

PETE: What advice would you give to your 14-year old self?    
JAYLEN: Keep working hard, do not give up, everything will work out if you try your best.

PETE: What is something most people don't know about you?    
JAYLEN: I was once a ranked gamer at the age of 11 for Call of Duty.

PETE: What is your favorite thing about Fayette?    
JAYLEN: Being in new surroundings away from what I'm used to.

PETE: How do you want to be remembered?    
JAYLEN: To be the best at anything I'm involved in. I want to be the best husband, student, athlete, etc… I want to be the best at everything.

PETE: What's the best thing that has happened to you in the last week?    
JAYLEN: I finally found a workout program that works great for me.

PETE: What are the top three things on your bucket list?    
JAYLEN: Go skydiving, drive a race car, and to travel to all 50 states.

PETE: What is your dream job if money wasn't a factor? Why?    
JAYLEN: Being a teacher or coach, I find a lot of joy in teaching others what I know.

PETE: Who are three people (dead or alive) you'd love to have dinner with? Why?    
JAYLEN: J.Cole, because he is my favorite artist, he has also realized money isn't everything and cares for everyone. Walter Payton because he was my favorite football player and I want to know his secrets to success. Finally, Leonardo DiCaprio, he is the greatest actor of all time and I'd like to pick his brain.

PETE: What is your most memorable sports moment?    
JAYLEN: When I jumped 23 ft 0.75 in at the state meet my senior year of high school to finish in sixth place.

PETE: What fictional character (movie, TV show, book, cartoon, etc.) would you want to be for a day? Why?    
JAYLEN: SpongeBob so I can taste a Krabby Patty.

PETE: Do you believe in aliens or ghosts? If yes, why?    
JAYLEN: Aliens, there is no way that we were formed and no other being was in an infinite universe.

PETE: What is your dream vacation spot? Why? What would you want to do there?    
JAYLEN: Anywhere near a beach in Florida, I like surfing and skimboarding.

PETE: If you were president for a day, what would you change?    
JAYLEN: I would make starting times later because I remember the pain of waking up at 6 am.

PETE: What is your favorite restaurant in the world? What do you order?    
JAYLEN: Chipotle, I always order a bowl with a lot of steak and tomatoes.

PETE: What does your dream life after retirement look like?    
JAYLEN: Driving my convertible in the hot sun.

PETE: What is your favorite non-sport hobby?    
JAYLEN: Organizing and rearranging anything.

PETE: What is one cause that you hold dear to your heart? Why?    
JAYLEN: Any fund for pancreatic cancer because that is what caused my grandfather's death, he was the greatest man I had ever been around.

PETE: What was your first job?    
JAYLEN: Working for UPS as a driver helper … I was basically Santa.

PETE: What is the priciest thing you've ever splurged on?    
JAYLEN: A pair of shoes cost me $215, but I also have bought several pairs at the same time and once spent over $1,000 in a day.

PETE: If you had a podcast, what would it be about?    
JAYLEN: Theories that will blow your mind!

PETE: What is your go-to home workout?    
JAYLEN: A two-mile run followed by a lot of arm and chest exercises.

Special thanks to Jaylen Hobson for taking the time to chat with Pete! To view previous virtual interviews, please click here.