KFBCA Top 11: Gavin Meyers

The Kansas Football Coaches Association picked their All-State teams December 5th and 6th, including their Top 11. Kansas Pregame is providing capsules for each of the Top 11 selections. Check out Hays linebacker Gavin Meyers' capsule below and check back for more capsules throughout the week.

Gavin Meyers, LB, 6-2, 220, Hays High School

Hays High’s Gavin Meyers has long been a staple in head coach Tony Crough’s hard-nosed defense, but this season was special for Meyers and his teammates.

“This was a historical year for us with having two playoff wins (for the first time) since I think 1993,” Meyers said. “I feel like from last year to this year our team improved greatly. More seniors and juniors were starting for us instead of sophomores and juniors like in the past. Ending the season in a close matchup with Maize wasn’t how we wanted to end our year, but this program has taken gigantic steps under the control of coach Crough.”

The matchup with eventual state runner-up Maize brought an end to an otherwise great season for Hays High, and despite playing an Eagles squad that was likely the second best in Class 5A, the Indians fell just short, 48-36, and finished the year with an 8-3 record. Meyers' production during his senior season was off the charts, as the bruising linebacker finished with 124 tackles, 13 tackles-for-loss, three sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

His knowledge of where to be on the field and his ability to make the play with force once he gets there is one key piece of his year-by-year development.

“My biggest strength, or advantage, in my high school career, is definitely starting my freshman year,” Meyers said. “It helped give me experience early on in my career and gave me plenty of time to improve my mistakes and make me a better player.”

Each year Meyers has played for Hays, starting in 2018 when they finished a dismal 3-6, the Indians have improved their record, thanks in large part to Meyers' impact and growing prowess on the gridiron.

“Gavin was a three-year captain of our defense and two-year team captain,” Crough said. “He is a lead by example silent type that demonstrates all the hard work and toughness aspects that you hope your team characterizes.”

Meyers, at 6-2, 220 pounds, brings a certain throwback style that Crough believes will make him a valuable asset at the next level as well, breaking it down into three pillars.

“Strength: You feel him every time he puts his hands on you, and you don’t usually get loose. Toughness: Old school football soul that just loves to hit. Tackling ability: Nearly 400 tackles in 5A/6A football. Tackling is a lost art, he still has the art. He just rarely ever missed one and never missed an important one.”

With his illustrious career at Hays at an end, and a plethora of college offers from schools in the Big 10, Big 12 and others, Meyer’s next stop is likely to include a football helmet as well.

“My plan is to play football at the DI level, but at this time I’m still deciding on where I will be attending,” Meyers said.

The KFBCA Top 11 and All-State selections consist of seniors from the Class of 2022 nominated and voted on by members of the Kansas Football Coaches Association. For more info about the KFBCA find them online at www.kfbca.com.