Jacob Saylors is an explosive running back who turned heads with his ETSU career, which he completed with 3,851 rushing yards, 6,058 all-purpose yards, and 33 rushing touchdowns. He even went on to win All-American honors by Stats Perform FCS following the 2022 season. After being signed up by the Detroit Lions in July 2025, he has covered 11 yards on 2 rushing attempts, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. But from college standout to pro hopeful, Saylors’ story has been inspiring, and it’s not just his game drawing attention; it’s also the woman cheering him on from the sidelines.

Who is Jacob Saylors’ fiancée, Jayla Shelton?

Jayla Shelton was born on February 15, 2001, and as of 2025, she is 24. Her hometown is Indianapolis, Indiana, and she currently lives there. She completed her high school education at Scecina Memorial, located on the East Side of Indianapolis. It is a co-educational Catholic college and life preparatory school established by the Archbishop of Indianapolis. 

After completing her high school education, Shelton attended East Tennessee State University to study marketing and business management. She attended the university from 2019 to 2023. She was also part of the institute’s softball team and was named to the SoCon Honor roll in her sophomore year.

How did Jacob Saylors and Jayla Shelton meet? 

Jacob Saylors and Jayla Shelton likely met during their time at East Tennessee State University. While playing for the ETSU baseball team, Saylors was playing football at ETSU. It must have been their love for sports that allowed them to bond easily. 

Although there is no timeline available for when they met, the first picture Shelton shared with Saylors was on December 4, 2019. It was a normal photo of the couple sitting in a car, and Jacob Saylors commented on the picture with two kissing emojis. This indicates that the couple had a strong bond from the beginning. According to her Facebook profile she has been engaged to Saylors since 2024.

Currently, Saylors and Shelton have a baby girl, Athena. Her full name is Athena Reign Saylors, and she was born on 20th June, 2023. As of 2025, she is 2 years old and can be seen in many pictures shared by Shelton on her social media handles. On her birth, Shelton crafted an emotional message for her baby girl and posted a series of pictures of the infant on Instagram. The post started with a beautiful line, “You have entered this world and pulled a love out of me that I never imagined was possible.”

What does Jayla Shelton do for a living?

According to Shelton’s social media profile, she has held a wide array of jobs throughout her career. Her first job, according to her Facebook profile, was as a server at Label Restaurant: Handcrafted Food & Spirits in Johnson City, TN. She then switched to a job as a grass cutter at Greenher Landscaping and later became a carhop at Sonic Drive-In.

After holding multiple jobs, she became a hitting instructor at Ultimate Hitting. Her last job, which she quit in August 2025, was as an optician at O’Hara Vision Center. There is no information on which profession she chose after her last role. 

What are Jayla Shelton’s social media handles?

Jayla Shelton is active on both Instagram and Facebook, posting regular updates about her life, family, and interests.

Jayla Shelton’s Instagram handle- https://www.instagram.com/jayshelt/?hl=en

Jayla Shleton’s Facebook handle- https://www.facebook.com/jayla.shelton.928841/

Jayla Shelton isn’t just a supportive partner of Jacob Saylors; she is a force of her own. Jayla switching through multiple jobs, managing the family with a baby girl, and dealing with the highs and lows of a rising football star, demonstrates her poise, presence, and dedication, making her story compelling in its own right. The bond built on love for sports, culture, and emotion has endured for more than six years and continues to be an inspiration for many. It’s for sure that Shelton has played a big role in whatever Saylor has achieved till now, both off-field and in person.