Though he’s a talented running back who had 1541 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2024, senior Jayden Ellen has added the talent of leadership to his resume with the 2025 season nearing the half-way mark. “He’s become a good leader by example for us this year. We saw that early in the season in our game against Seminole when we were down and he was making sure everyone stayed on track and kept playing hard,” said coach Zac Ross. After transferring and sitting out his freshman year, he really came into his own last year according to Ross. “He really added a dimension to our team that helped take some pressure off Elijah (Thomas) and (quarterback) Cole (Rolland).” Perhaps Ellen, a VYPE TOP 100 pick this year, picked up his leadership talent from Thomas, the former Wildcat and now a wide receiver at OU . “He’s really the one who taught me to stay out of my head and be humble and he brought a lot to this program other than just his talent. He was a great friend, a coach with the younger guys and a great leader.” Jayden is one of four brothers who played football including his brother Jordan who he got to play with last year and his dad is big football guy. “I think I’ve improved a lot this year in dealing with adversity during the game and trying to keep negative thoughts out of my head while encouraging everyone to keep on playing hard even if we’re behind.” A fond memory for the Wildcat running back goes back to last year when he scored five touchdowns and had over 200 rushing yards against Locust Grove and was the team player of the week. He also thinks fondly of Checotah’s contests against Seminole the past two years when he had good games including 175 rushing yards this year against the Chieftains. Jayden has a college offer in hand from Air Force and is hoping for others as his senior season unfolds. Jayden says he would like to be remembered as a good leader and teammate and not just a good football player when he leaves Checotah.
