After transfer tease, TE Jalin Conyers announces return to ASU

Redshirt junior tight end Jalin Conyers is returning to play football at Arizona State for the 2023 season, he announced on Thursday.

Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro was the first to report the move.

The news comes as a relief to Sun Devil fans, as Wednesday saw a rather ominous quote tweet from new head coach Kenny Dillingham regarding Conyers’ announcement.

😥😢😢😢 https://t.co/4GWUpxco48

— Coach Dillingham (@KennyDillingham) December 8, 2022

 

Looks like Dillingham was in on it the whole time.

Conyers’ return may register as a given, but with the current modern landscape of the transfer portal in college football that might be even busier for a team with a new head coach, it’s an important commitment.

That’s because Conyers was not only one of ASU’s best pass catchers along with wide receiver Elijhah Badger in 2022, but the tight end wasn’t utilized until the latter part of the year in which Shaun Aguano was calling plays with Trenton Bourguet under center.

The same could be said for Badger as well.

This past season, the 6-foot-4, 265-pound Conyers reeled in 38 catches for 422 yards and five touchdowns, with six receptions, 108 yards and three scores coming in the 42-34 win over Colorado.

Plus he can get up and make plays like this:

🎥: @JGSports_6 pic.twitter.com/MdMWdMle9b

— Jake Anderson (@jwa1994) November 26, 2022

Another beneficiary to Conyers coming back to Tempe is the possible domino effect it could have on other big-name Sun Devils who have not entered the transfer portal but will certainly be sought after around the country — like Badger.

It certainly seems like the wideout is staying, at least according to Dillingham on Twitter:

Safe to say WR Elijhah Badger and TE Jalin Conyers are coming back to Arizona State next season? pic.twitter.com/OozdcwAqbb

— Jake Anderson (@jwa1994) December 7, 2022

ASU’s other tight end to feature this past season, 6-foot-8 Messiah Swinson, has already announced he will also be returning to Tempe.

Dillingham’s offense in his lone year as Oregon’s offensive coordinator saw his four tight ends rack up 50 grabs for 540 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Follow @jwa1994