University of South Alabama Athletics

Southeast Missouri Highlights (2019-21): Played the last two seasons at Southeast Missouri ... Started each of the Redhawks’ first four contests in 2020-21 — making six appearances in all as SEMO finished 4-4 — after earning preseason all-Ohio Valley Conference honors prior to the beginning of the season ... Saw action in 12 games including starting on nine occasions his first season with the program, helping the Redhawks finish 9-4 overall after earning a bid to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs ... Part of a SEMO team that shared the OVC title with a 7-1 mark that fall .

Junior College Highlights (2017-18): Was at Iowa Western CC for two seasons ... Named second-team all-Iowa Community College Athletic Conference as a redshirt sophomore after helping the Reivers finish 10-1 and ranked third in the final National Junior College Athletic Association poll following a victory over Snow (Utah) CC in the Graphic Edge Bowl ... Played defensive line for IWCC his first year on the team, recording three tackles in four contests as the Reivers went 11-1 to place second in the final NJCAA rankings after defeating Northwest Mississippi CC in the Graphic Edge Bowl.

Wyoming Highlights (2016): Sat out as a redshirt his first season at the collegiate level at Wyoming.

High School Highlights: Was the 13th-ranked recruit in Iowa according to 247Sports coming out of Lewis Central High, where he played football and basketball while also competing in track ... Earned second-team all-district honors as a senior after posting 41 tackles including four sacks while adding three fumble recoveries ... Tied for third among all players at the 4A classification — the largest in the state — in the latter category ... Efforts helped the Titans go 8-4 after advancing to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs ... Was also a starter for the LCHS basketball team.

Personal: Full name is Ja’Chai Baker ... Born Dec. 27, 1997 ... Son of Charisse Wright ... Favorite movie is “Friday” ... Favorite team is the Pittsburgh Steelers ... Favorite athlete is Trent Williams ... Favorite food is a medium rare steak ... Recruited by Iowa, Iowa State, Nebraska and Central Florida coming our of high school ... Is working toward a second degree in sociology.