Gruver standout and University of Oklahoma signee, Jalin Conyers, right, poses with Greyhounds football coach Terry Felderhoff following an All-American Bowl practice at the Alamodome in San Antonio on Thursday. [Provided photo]
Gruver’s Jalin Conyers is getting rare opportunity.
The Greyhounds do-it-all athlete will be one the nation’s 100 best senior football player to showcase his talent on the field in the All-American Bowl at the Alamodome in San Antonio on Saturday afternoon.
Conyers is the first player from the Texas Panhandle ever selected to the popular Bowl game, that’s set to air at noon on NBC.
Humbled by the honor, Conyers describes the Bowl game as a once in a lifetime experience.
“It honestly feels like I made it,” Conyers said. “I’ve grown up my whole life watching this game, and since I was little I’ve dreamed of playing in it. When I was selected it was like a dream come true and I’m blessed for the opportunity.”
Conyers, a University of Oklahoma signee, is the fourth rated tight end nationally by 247 Sports. But being from one of the smallest school’s in the state let alone the country, the 6-foot-5, 228 pound, Conyers feels he has a lot to prove going up against the best the country has to offer.
Conyers chats with All-American Bowl West teammate Gary Bryant during practice at the Alamodome on Thursday. [Photo credit/ TFB Sooners]
“I know that I’m from a small town and people are interested to see how I stack up amongst the best,” Conyers said. “I know these guys are gonna be tougher, faster, and stronger than anyone I have played over my high school career. But I know I can hang with them because in my eyes at least I am one of them. This is just a great opportunity for me to make Gruver and the 806 proud.”
Gruver head football coach Terry Felderhoff is in San Antonio to watch his star pupil suit up Saturday. With a player the caliber of Conyers, Felderhoff says he’s seen a lot of first’s as a head coach. Multiple Division I coaches either made a visit to Gruver or called about Conyers during the recruiting process. Felderhoff was also amazed when the All-American Bowl representatives made a trip to the Texas Panhandle in early December to give Conyers his ceremonial jersey.
“This is exciting for not only Jalin, but our entire community,” Felderhoff said. “I think it proves to the rest of the state that we have great players up here in the Texas Panhandle.
It also allows everyone to watch the game on TV, and cheer for one of their own, and not just watch a bunch of players that they may have heard of but do not really know.”
Conyers will wear No. 14 for the West squad Saturday, and will play wide receiver and tight end.
Conyers finished his senior year at Gruver this past fall throwing for 1,516 yards with 19 touchdowns. He rushed for 653 yards with another 12 touchdowns, and caught 20 passes for 373 yards with three more scores despite a cast on his right-hand the final six weeks of the season.
