I was off for just about a month and a half and was super busy, and this is an interview that I have been wanting to do for a long time and was finally able to get it done. Jared Rayburn and I sat down to discuss this season, and then his plans for after this year.
The first topic of discussion was how him and the team handles the outside noise. It hasn’t been the best of years for the Dawgs, especially against Arkansas schools as the team is 0-6 when facing their foes from the east. Coach Pobolish has preached since he first got to SWOSU after the season in the fall of ’17 that it is all about us, no one else matters.
“I imagine myself in this dome,” Rayburn commented, “it is just about us. I don’t pay attention to the social media and the fans comments, because they aren’t playing the game, they don’t know what we go through.”
Rayburn also talked about how he does it for his team, his brothers. Not for the fans. He has a point in when he states that the fans don’t understand. If you haven’t been in that huddle, on that sideline, in the film room, or weight room, then you really have no idea of what is going on. But people have their opinions, but Rayburn understands that their comments carry no weight in the eyes of the coaches or players.
When we started talking about him, you really see the type of player he is, and even the type of person he is. He is passionate, he cares about way more than just himself. He opened up about how he stepped away from the game back in ’15 and how he lost that family type atmosphere, but when he came back to football, he was reminded of his love for the game.
“When I stepped away (from football) I was lost, but my best friend Joel (Blumenthal) told me we could play again. I decided to come back in ’17, and through football, I found passion, I found the love I had lost. I am grateful to be a part of this family and finish this how I want to.”
Rayburn exemplifies what it means to be a football player, laying his body on the line for his team, taking two, maybe even three defenders out of the play and opening up others to allow them to shine. He does this week in and week out. In games this season, opponents have blanketed him all game, and it has given other receivers, Justin Bailey, DJ Hicks, Kevin Fox, and many others their opportunities to show out this season. And Rayburn couldn’t be more pleased.
Now after the season, Rayburn plans to go to everything he can, showcases, pro days, really any opportunity that presents itself he will take.
“I plan to really take everything I can get. I want to get certified to become an exercise physiologist just in case this dream (to go pro) doesn’t come to fruition.”
Rayburn really wants to get the good SWOSU name out there. He commented on how in the state of Oklahoma there is a lot of talent and there needs to be more opportunities for athletes to get themselves recognized, and he hopes to be a guy that can help put SWOSU on the map, and add to what Joel Blumenthal has done.
I know Rayburn will be someone we will hear about in the near future. Whether it be at the professional football level, or getting a job somewhere big. He is going to make an impact wherever he is, because Jared Rayburn is just that great of person.
If you want to hear my interview with Jared Rayburn, check out my podcast “Bulldogs and Beyond” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Anchor, and all other major podcast platforms.
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