Hayden and Jackson Named 2002 NJCAA Football Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year

For the 2002 NJCAA football season, the NJCAA is proud to name an Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year. The 2002 award is the thirteenth year for the player of the year selection. However, the 2002 selections are the third season that separate offensive and defensive awards will be presented. The Player of the Year awards are sponsored by the NJCAA Football Coaches Association.

The 2002 Offensive Player of the Year honor goes to Kelvin Hayden of Joliet Junior College in Joliet, IL. Hayden is a 6'0" 190 pound wide receiver from Chicago, Illinois. The 2002 award is the first time that a wide receiver has been bestowed the honor of NJCAA Player of the Year.

In two seasons at Joliet Junior College, Hayden had 114 pass receptions for 1,848 yards and 17 touchdowns, an average of 16.2 yards per catch. However, the most impressive statistic of all is the 21-1 two year record Joliet Junior College attained during Kelvin's two year stay. Twenty-one straight victories and an NJCAA National Championship capped off the Joliet career of Kelvin Hayden. An all state performer at Hubbard High School in Chicago, Kelvin Hayden was also a two year all N4C Conference performer and a first team NJCAA All-American in 2002. The 1,297 receiving yards led all NJCAA receivers in 2002 and the 18.1 yards per catch also placed Hayden at the top of the charts within the NJCAA.

During the 2002 season, Joliet Junior College finished with an 11-0 record, and the 2002 NJCAA National title. Kelvin is presently majoring in business administration at Joliet. Kelvin Hayden has verbally committed to the University of Illinois for the 2003 football season.

2002 NJCAA Defensive Player of the Year honors go to Jamaal Jackson of Northwest Mississippi Community College, Senatobia, Mississippi. Jackson is a 6'0" 175 pound defensive back from Bruce, Mississippi. All Region XXIII and all conference honors in both 2001 and 2002, Jackson was a first team NJCAA All-American in 2002.

Jackson played extensively as a freshman for the Rangers in the 2001 season, finishing the year with 38 tackles and 18 passes broken up. Also, Jackson led the NJCAA in 2001 with 8 interceptions. During the 2002 season, Jackson registered 40 tackles, broke up 15 passes and intercepted five passes.

During the period that Jackson played for Northwest Mississippi Community College, the program had a two year record of 12-7, including a 5-4 season in 2002. Jackson had a two year total of 13 interceptions in 19 career games for the Rangers. For the 2003-2004 academic year, Jackson is considering offers from several NCAA programs.