By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post Sports
HAYS, Kan. — After three seasons with the Kansas State Wildcats, former Hays High School standout Gavin Meyers is returning home to play for the Fort Hays State Tigers.
Meyers, a linebacker, entered the transfer portal this spring after new NCAA rules limited Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs to 105 players. He said the whole process was a unique experience.
"Leaving K-State, obviously, it's what God wanted me to do," Meyers said. "It's a journey he put me on. It's a new journey I'm excited to take on and I guess I'm just excited to see where this goes."
Meyers joins a few familiar faces on the Tigers roster. He is reunited with former K-State teammates, including linebacker Shadryon Blanka and cornerback Darell Jones. Meyers is also excited to play alongside former high school teammate Gaven Haselhorst, a defensive end in his fourth season with the Tigers.
"I'm obviously excited to be a Tiger," Meyers said. "I love my brothers on this team. We've gotten close really fast, and obviously being able to play with some of the K-State buddies that transferred here as well. And then also Gaven Haselhorst, which we were pretty tight in high school, and that was fun, so I'm glad I get to be on the field with him again."
Meyers, an all-state selection and the Kansas Football Coaches Association Top 11 selection at Hays High, finished his prep career with a school-record 384 tackles. He was also named Sports in Kansas' Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year. He said playing in front of family and friends was a significant factor in his decision to return home.
"That was a big part of my decision as well," Meyers said. "Just the amount of family and support that I've had in Hays has been awesome throughout my football career, and just to get to do that again was definitely on my mind. And I'm excited to excited to play in front of the home crowd again."
The Tigers open their 2025 season on Thursday, Aug. 28, at home against Angelo State.