It seemed too good to be true.
But it’s definitely true.
Jordan Vyborny, a tight end who caught just 13 passes for 166 yards his freshman year at Harlem, became an overnight NCAA Division I recruit after moving to Utah to live with his uncle and enrolling at Corner Canyon, which has won three of the last five Utah Class 6A state titles and has played for the state championship five years in a row.
Vyborny has not played there yet. The season is still two months away. But he committed to play for Oklahoma State — even before he attended his first practice at Corner Canyon.
“I’m surrounded by a lot of talent,” Vyborny said during a recent visit to Rockford. “It’s not just me they’re looking at recruiting. Everyone here will want to show themselves and represent themselves.”
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Before choosing Oklahoma State, Vyborny also took official visits to Eastern Washington and Boise State and unofficial visits to USC and UCLA.
While the tight end is an integral part of the NFL passing game – some announcers like to joke “the tight end is always open” – it is not as important in high school and college football.
“There are some colleges that are known for this,” Vyborny said. “Michigan plays that a lot until the end. Utah does this too. Iowa State, believe it or not, does too. The state of Oklahoma is starting to change a little. The tight end will be more of a focal point and will catch many more balls. This will play an important role in your attack. They are moving on to 12 more personnel (two tight ends, one running back).
Vyborny could be the biggest NIC-10 recruit since Auburn offensive lineman Vederian Lowe, now with the Patriots, went to Illinois in 2017. Vyborny is also the league’s first non-all-conference DI recruit in the NIC-10 since Auburn’s Ray Robey, a starting defensive tackle on Northwestern’s legendary 1995 Rose Bowl team.
But Robey’s omission was highly controversial. His coach reportedly missed the conference meeting and no one nominated him. Vyborny was different. He basically went unnoticed. Until he leaves Rockford. Then, he was immediately discovered at a 7-on-7 tournament in Las Vegas, catching passes from four-star recruit Helaman Casuga.
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Scouts immediately fell in love not only with Vyborny’s hands, but also with his measurements – 6-foot-4, 232 pounds and 4.68 speed in the 40-yard dash. He went quickly labeled as a three-star recruit.
He also had an athletic pedigree. Vyborny’s sister, Mya Davidson, a 6-2 guard/forward, landed an NCAA Division I basketball scholarship. His grandfather and great-uncle, Jerome and Julian Vyborny, were Boylan graduates and played football for the Illini. He had six aunts who played college basketball.
Vyborny will join a team that finished 10-4 last year and is 10-4 in bowl games the last 14 years under 19-year head coach Mike Gundy.
“I fell in love with the environment, the coaches, everything about the program,” Vyborny said. “The way I was treated. And not just me; also my uncle and my mother.
“I know I will be developed there. And Coach Gundy has made it clear that he doesn’t just look for talent, he looks for leaders in the community. He is incredible. I love him.”
And he’s eager to showcase skills he never got to showcase in Rockford. And see where it can take you.
“I want to show how explosive I am now,” Vyborny said. “The faster I got. Much better at route running. I’m expected to be more physical and show it on tape.”
This article originally appeared in the Rockford Register Star: Former Harlem tight end Jordan Vyborny commits to Oklahoma State
