Competed for Fort Worth Southwest Christian HS, where he won the TAPPS 5A 400 in 2025, as well as winning the TAPPS 5A 100 and 200 as a junior. His season-best time of 47.33 as a senior put him #17 in Texas. In most HS meets as a senior, he was competing in the 100, 200, 400, and long jump. Indoors in 2025, competing for the Legendary TC in Arlington, he won the 400 at the Arkansas HS Invitational in Fayetteville with a time of 47.81, which was the #12 fastest time in Texas and #46 in the U.S. indoors. In the summer of 2025, running for Legendary TC, he ran a 46.65 in placing 3rd at the AAU Junior Olympic Games, the #30 fastest time in the U.S. for a high school student. His aggregate personal bests, from both HS and club, are 10.51 in the 100, 21.27 in the 200, and 46.65 in the 400.

Personal 
Jaylen graduated from Fort Worth Southwest Christian HS in 2025. His parents are Chaneera Francis and James Thomas. He has a brother, Kevin, as well as 3 sisters – twin sister, Jaeden (also on the ACU track team), Adriel and Nikka. At ACU, he is a Business Management major.