Texas Tech tight end Jalin Conyers is among the best red-zone threats at the position in the 2025 NFL Draft. Conyers recorded five touchdowns on 30 receptions this past season. He also displayed terrific athleticism at the NFL Combine, securing top-five finishes in the vertical and broad jumps, and placing first in 3-cone and short shuttle.
Conyers recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network. Conyers discussed his outstanding performance at the NFL Combine, transferring from Arizona State to Texas Tech, his favorite routes to run, and more.
JM: Now that you've had time to reflect, how do you look back on the decision to transfer from Arizona State to Texas Tech?
Jalin Conyers: I look back on that as one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life. Arizona State had a great season. I was proud of a lot of the teammates I had an opportunity to play with at ASU. We grew together and I built a lot of special relationships at ASU.
At the end of the day, transferring to Texas Tech was a great decision for me. I look back now and I’m glad I did it. I had a chance to be closer to my family. I was around coaches I wanted to be around, ones who helped me get ready for the next level.
I did what was best for me. I definitely don’t have any regrets.
JM: It ended up being the right decision for you. You were super efficient, recording five touchdowns on 30 catches. It was actually your second career season with five TDs. What is it about your game that makes you such a dangerous threat in the red zone?
Jalin Conyers: I’m very versatile. I can do whatever is asked of me. I can run a five-yard route in the red zone and get open for my quarterback. If you want to throw me a jump ball, I’m more than capable of climbing the ladder.
If you need me to win one-on-one against a safety or linebacker in the open field, I can do that as well. I think I bring a lot of traits to the table. I give my quarterback a lot of options in the passing game as a safety net for him.
That’s one thing that makes me different from a lot of tight ends. I think that’s what made me so efficient.
JM: You’re such a versatile threat. Does Jalin Conyers have a favorite route to run?
Jalin Conyers: One of my favorite routes is an inside fade. Behren Morten and I connected on a lot of those this past season. It was my bread and butter. I also liked flexing out wide and showing people I’m a lot faster than defenders think I am. I bring that to the table as well.
Other than that, I love running an option route. That’s another one of my favorites. Give me a three-way go. I can sit down, or break inside or outside. I love that route. It’s for sure one of my favorites.
JM: You were 75-25 on those inside fades this year. You also recently participated at this year's NFL Combine. What was that experience like?
Jalin Conyers: It was a lot of fun. It was very surreal. If you would have told me I’d participate at the NFL Combine many years ago, if you said that to little kid Jalin Conyers, I wouldn’t have believed you (laughs).
It was very humbling. A very cool experience. Being around so many NFL coaches and scouts was awesome. Getting that invite means I’ve been recognized as one of the best tight ends in the country, in this draft class. It was a terrific opportunity to showcase what I can do. I think I did a really good job. I thank God for the opportunity. I went out there and stayed true to myself while displaying my abilities.
JM: You put forth an outstanding performance. You finished third among all TEs in the vertical jump (35.5 inches) and fourth in the broad jump (10-foot-1). You also ran the fastest 3-cone (6.94) and short shuttle (4.27). You must have been thrilled with the overall performance.
Jalin Conyers: I was thrilled. Like I said, I think I shocked a lot of people with my results. I think I was a lot more athletic than some of the coaches and scouts thought I was. I move very well for my size, being about 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds.
I went out there at my size and showed teams I can do whatever they need me to do. That was my goal. At the end of it all, I went back to the hotel room very satisfied with what I achieved at the NFL Combine.
JM: You sure did! Did you have any formal meetings at the NFL Combine, and do you have any in-person visits coming up?
Jalin Conyers: I had a ton of interviews at the East-West Shrine Bowl. Those were very similar to the interviews at the NFL Combine. I still had a bunch of informal meetings at the combine. That was great. I’m supposed to work out for the Miami Dolphins around my Pro Day.
We’re scheduling some visits as well. I had some great meetings at the Shrine with the Cowboys, 49ers, Chiefs, Texans, Saints, Lions. Some of those conversations felt more in-depth. We even dove into the playbook with a few of them. I got to showcase some of my football IQ.
JM: There’s a lot of interest in you and it’s easy to see why. We've appreciated your time today. What kinda guy is Jalin Conyers going to be at the next level?
Jalin Conyers: At the end of the day, I’m going to be a tight end who can do anything you need me to do. I played in the wildcat, I played quarterback in high school. I’ve been exposed to just about everything. I played receiver and tight end as well.
I can even play special teams and make a tackle. If you need me to move the chains on offense, I can obviously do that. If you need me to catch 12 balls a game, I can do that. I’m very versatile.
I believe in my skill set, especially my hands. I think I have some of the best hands in this draft, regardless of position. Scouts are going to see that. You know what you’re getting in me.
You’re getting a workhorse who loves football and loves having fun.
