By Jeff Bugher
4/21/2024
Here is the intriguing story of how “J-Mike” found high school football and how Wyoming found him.
Laramie, Wyoming- In 2021, of all the recruits offered full-ride scholarships to play football at the University of Wyoming, less was known about John Michael Gyllenborg of Leawood, Kansas, at the time of the offer than any other recruit. “J-Mike,” as he is known to his coaches and teammates, played in only three complete high school football games before being injured by a tackle that brought him down after a 54-yard pass reception. That injury and the Covid-19 pandemic ended his one season of high school football.
Several sports writers have noted how little was known about Gyllenborg before he signed his National Letter of Intent in late 2020 to come to Wyoming. We wanted to find out what was known about the 6’5”, 245-pound athlete that gave the Wyoming recruiters and coaching staff the confidence to make the commitments of time and money with a virtual unknown.
Our quest for answers led us to interviews with Gyllenborg’s high school football coach, high school baseball coach, strength and speed trainer, several coaches on the Wyoming football staff, and John Michael himself. Their insights, coupled with statements made in Wyoming football press conferences and interviews with current and past team members, painted a picture of a versatile athlete. Gyllenborg was a standout varsity basketball player in his junior and senior years in high school. He was an elite baseball pitcher in high school and played on a Kansas City club team that won national tournaments. And in his brief high school football career, Gyllenborg was deployed as a wide receiver, a slot receiver, a tight end, a punter, a kicker for kickoffs, and a placekicker for field goals and extra points. As you will read, he excelled in each sport and left a lasting impression on those who witnessed his skills.
The Beginnings
We interviewed John Michael to gain more insight into his athleticism and how he made it to Wyoming. He reminisced about his childhood, during which he dabbled in various sports, from basketball to soccer.
Although Gyllenborg played one season of tackle football in the fourth grade, it was basketball and baseball that emerged as his favorite team sports. In fact, he hadn’t thought about playing football again until the spring of his junior year at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Missouri. That is when he met Kelly Donohoe, a former quarterback at the University of Kansas and the then-newly hired head football coach at Rockhurst. The head football coach from 1983 - 2019, the legendary Tony Severino, tried to recruit John Michael, but Gyllenborg wasn’t interested. “Then, going into my senior year, Rockhurst hired a coach from a rival high school who knew who I was from basketball and thought I should give football another try. Coach Donohoe convinced me to give it a shot.”
Unearthing hidden talent – give it a try:
Kelly Donohoe is in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and was a star quarterback for the University of Kansas Jayhawks from 1986-1989. (Donohoe is ranked third all-time in passing yards at KU.) A high school football coach who has won several state championships, Donohoe has a good eye for football talent. When he became the head football coach at Rockhurst, he attended activities on campus to get to know his new high school, its faculty, and its students.
"Right after I was hired, I was at a basketball game watching Rockhurst play, and I was really impressed with his size and athleticism," Donohoe said about John Michael. "I said to some people around me, 'Tell me he plays football.’ And they said, ‘I know. He should. He is probably the best athlete in the school.'"
Donohoe's intuition sparked a mission to persuade Gyllenborg to give football a shot. Despite Gyllenborg’s lack of experience in the sport, Donohoe could see that he had so much top-end ability. Donohoe met with John Michael and his parents, and soon, John Michael was training for the next high school football season. “I thought, at least the conditioning will benefit me in other sports if football doesn’t work out,” said Gyllenborg. Donohoe added, "John Mike is a super-fast learner, and when you're a kid with high character, and you're a worker, and you're super athletic, and you're super coachable, those guys prosper."
Donohoe closed the deal, and now the work begins:
Throughout the spring and summer heading into his senior year, Gyllenborg trained with Joseph Potts of Top Speed Strength & Conditioning in Lenexa, Kansas. Potts has an impressive resume’ that includes creating a speed and conditioning program for the Kansas City Royals that helped lead the Royals to the 2014 and 2015 Major League Baseball World Series.
"You're talking about a kid who stood out because of his physical stature, and then he's running by these kids like they're standing still," Potts said of Gyllenborg’s early workouts.
Potts added that Gyllenborg took the training seriously, adding 13 pounds of muscle mass and significantly increasing his power numbers.
Before the high school football season started, Gyllenborg participated in an NFL-style combine. His laser-timed 40-yard dash was 4.69 seconds, and his vertical jump was 35.8 inches. Potts pointed out that the NFL combine averages for the tight end position that year were 4.75 seconds and 33.5 inches, respectively. Potts noted that Gyllenborg’s vertical was 26.7 inches the first day Potts met him. “He definitely progressed a lot," Potts added.
High School Senior Season - Football:
As the 2020 high school football season approached, Gyllenborg geared up to hit the gridiron for Rockhurst High School. Reviewing that shortened season, what caught our attention most about Gyllenborg's performance was his versatility—he not only played as a wide receiver, slot receiver, and tight end but also took on roles as the kickoff man, punter, and field goal kicker. (Even though his ankles were taped for running.) In one sequence of plays in the season opener, Gyllenborg caught his first touchdown pass, kicked the extra point, and then booted the subsequent kickoff.
Gyllenborg played in only three full games in the 2020 season. He was sidelined by a tear to his lateral collateral ligament in the first half of the fourth game after a 54-yard pass reception. By the time Gyllenborg was ready to return from that injury, a Covid-19 outbreak caused the team to forfeit the remainder of the football season.
Here are Gyllenborg’s high school football stats for those games:
Ten pass receptions for 212 yards (21.2 yards per reception, longest of 76 yards), two touchdowns, and five first downs.
Twelve kickoffs with three touchbacks.
Seven extra points and no misses.
Three punts with the longest of 54 yards.
Two field goals with the longest of 25 yards and no misses.
Two rushes for 12 yards and one first down.
Directly scored 25 points from touchdowns, field goals, and extra points.
How did Wyoming find out about John Michael Gyllenborg?
Kelly Donohoe and then-Wyoming head football coach Craig Bohl had been friends for over 30 years. Craig’s son, Aaron Bohl (now the Wyoming defensive coordinator), recruits for the Kansas City area. Aaron recalled a phone call from Donohoe. “Coach Donohoe called me and my dad and said, ‘I have a guy I think you should keep an eye on.’”
Aaron Bohl talked about his recruiting Gyllenborg in 2020. "John Michael only had three games and then got hurt with a knee injury," Bohl said. He remembers that the Wyoming coaches were waiting for Gyllenborg to return to play and wanted to see one more game. Then, the Rockhurst season ended before John Michael could return to the field. With so little game film, the pivotal moment was when Coach Donohoe expressed his confidence in Gyllenborg, urging the coaching staff to trust him. "Coach Donohoe said, ‘I think he will be a slam dunk. You guys need to trust me.’ My dad trusted him because of their relationship, and obviously, we’ve been happy about it," Bohl remarked. Reflecting on John Michael, Bohl described him as a "freak athlete.” “Rockhurst is a famous football school in Kansas City, and Gyllenborg is a legend there. It's crazy because they've got guys that go to Michigan and Oklahoma, all of those big schools,” Bohl shared. Despite the challenges, Wyoming's coaching staff remained confident about what kind of person John Michael was and what his contribution could be to the team. "We knew he needed to be developed and coached, and it would take a lot of hard work on John Michael’s part. He was willing to put in the work," Bohl concluded.
One thing Donohoe and Aaron Bohl agree on is the strength of Gyllenborg’s throwing arm, which Bohl described as one of the best on the team. Donohoe proclaimed, “If I had been able to coach him for four years, I think he would have been recruited as a five-star quarterback.”
Wyoming tight ends coach Shannon Moore recalls his due diligence in recruiting John Michael. “There was a video on the Internet [from Top Speed] that showed him running a 40-yard dash. And I bet on my computer screen I timed that with a stopwatch probably 30 times to keep reminding myself, geez, he really is that good, even though he's not played any football.”
"The coaching staff couldn't go out recruiting," Moore commented, reflecting on the unprecedented times marked by virtual communication during the pandemic. "It was a lot of Zoom calls and things like that." The coaching staff started considering whether they could develop Gyllenborg into a tight end. Moore vividly describes the moment he first noticed Gyllenborg’s potential: "You saw his first game, and I think the very first play of his highlight film was a fade ball for a touchdown." Impressed by Gyllenborg’s natural abilities, Moore's conviction grew stronger. "He was just a natural athlete," Moore said. "Coach [Craig] Bohl pulled the trigger, and we were lucky enough to get him," Moore revealed. Reflecting on Gyllenborg’s impact, Moore emphasized, "He's been a special player, a special athlete, but he's also been a great person for our program, our university, and our room."
Wyoming’s decision to offer a scholarship
Coach Moore shed light on the decision to offer Gyllenborg a full-ride scholarship. He mentioned that Wyoming has always been a developmental program, which includes a thorough evaluation process that involves input from various coaches. The belief in Wyoming’s strength and conditioning program and the nutrition regimen (which Moore considers among the best in the country) further boosted confidence in John Michael’s progression. "He wanted to learn, and he wanted to grow," Moore remarked. The recognition of John Michael’s toughness reinforced the decision despite his limited football experience. "We trusted ourselves and our whole program that we could develop him into a 245-pound guy," Moore affirmed. The opportunity to redshirt Gyllenborg and allow him two years to reach his potential aligned with the program's developmental goals. "It was a pretty easy decision outside of that," Moore concluded, citing Gyllenborg's intangibles and the collective effort of the coaching staff in nurturing his growth.
Gyllenborg does some gambling of his own:
While schools were betting on John Michael’s limited football experience, Gyllenborg hoped for an offer from Wyoming. His natural athleticism and academic record at Rockhurst caught the attention of recruiters from a few schools around the country. Columbia University of the Ivy League made the first offer, and several FCS schools came calling. But John Michael wanted to play Division I FBS football. "It was a gamble," admitted Gyllenborg, "but it paid off."
But first, senior year baseball:
Gyllenborg also excelled at baseball. Rockhurst’s head baseball coach and Missouri Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame member, Jim DeGraw, shared insightful perspectives about John Michael. DeGraw reflected on Gyllenborg's ability to thrive under pressure, stating, "He would show no effects of being pressured in tough situations. He was very much in control of his emotions and just a tough kid." (For example, in Gyllenborg’s final appearance as Rockhurst's starting pitcher, during the district playoffs of his senior year, the first three batters of the game reached base with a single, a catcher interference, and a walk, loading the bases with no outs. Gyllenborg struck out the next three batters, ending with a 91-mile-per-hour fastball clocked by a college coach scouting the game. Rockhurst won 13-0.)
DeGraw recounted instances where Gyllenborg showcased his natural talent for hitting. "He could literally not swing a bat or take batting practice all week while he prepared to pitch, and then if I needed him to pinch hit, he would just knock the cover off the ball. He did not go to the plate to hit for average." Gyllenborg's power at the plate was undeniable. DeGraw recalled a batting practice session where Gyllenborg sent the ball soaring out of the Rockhurst ballpark and onto State Line Road, a blast of some 400 feet measured where the ball left the park. “I think it's been done only once before,” DeGraw continued. He described John Michael as a “freak athlete,” a term used several times during our interviews with different coaches who don’t know each other. Impressed by his abilities, DeGraw and his coaching staff encouraged Gyllenborg to consider a baseball career, recognizing his potential to dominate on the mound. Although Gyllenborg had committed to the University of Wyoming to play football, DeGraw felt he wouldn’t be doing his job as head coach if he and his coaching staff didn’t sit down with Gyllenborg to discuss the possibility of a baseball career. Reflecting on Gyllenborg's talent, "I firmly believe – even to this day – that he could have probably pitched professionally. That's kind of the level that we're talking about he had," DeGraw said. “This kid could’ve been one of the sleeper draft picks of Major League Baseball.” DeGraw knows about Major League talent - he coached 2002 Rockhurst High School graduate John Mayberry, Jr. (son of former Kansas City Royal and two-time Major League Baseball All-Star, John Mayberry, Sr.), who played baseball at Stanford University and was the 19th overall selection in the 2005 MLB draft.
Welcome to Laradise:
2021 Season
Transitioning to college football wasn't without its challenges. Gyllenborg spent his first year as a redshirt on the scout team, honing his skills and adapting to the demands of collegiate-level play. "I was grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow," said Gyllenborg. "Playing against our top defense every day was invaluable in my development."
2022 Season
Gyllenborg played in every game on special teams and saw action as a tight end in the season's final game, where he had three catches for 21 yards against Fresno State.
2023 Season
Gyllenborg's perseverance and hard work paid off when he scored the double-overtime, fourth-down touchdown against Texas Tech in Wyoming’s first game, marking a significant milestone in his football career. "It was a surreal moment," recalled Gyllenborg. “To score in my first real game was beyond anything I had dreamed of." Running back Sam Scott sealed the deal, rushing for the two-point conversion and a Cowboy victory.
John Michael was getting noticed. In weeks four and five of the 2023 college football season, Pro Football Focus graded Gyllenborg as the top tight end in the Group of Five, and in week twelve, after the Hawaii game, he was the highest-graded “flex” receiver in college football.
On Senior Day, Gyllenborg had a record-setting game at War Memorial Stadium against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, with three catches for 128 yards and an 89-yard touchdown.
That remarkable day peaked at both personal and season highs:
QB Andrew Peasley – Longest career TD pass.
John Michael Gyllenborg – Longest career reception TD.
Gyllenborg’s 89-yard reception TD was the longest since Tanner Gentry against North Dakota (92 yards, 9/5/2015).
Gyllenborg’s 128 receiving yards were the most in a single game since Isaiah Naylor (125 yards, Utah State, 2021).
For the game, Gyllenborg had the most yards by a tight end since Jacob Hollister (144 yards, Boise State, 2016).
Gyllenborg finished the 2023 season with 23 receptions for 360 yards and three touchdowns. Pro Football Focus graded Gyllenborg as the 26th-best receiving tight end in the FBS division (all 167 teams) and the top grade for offense among tight ends in the Mountain West Conference.
Throughout his journey, Gyllenborg credits his teammates and coaches for their continued support and guidance. "I've been fortunate to be surrounded by a group of dedicated individuals who have pushed me to be the best version of myself," said Gyllenborg.
Looking forward and final thoughts
Looking ahead, Gyllenborg remains focused on starting the 2024 season strong. He is primed to be one of new head coach Jay Sawvel’s prime targets and playmakers this spring, which should come as no surprise to anyone who follows Wyoming football press conferences.
Gyllenborg’s roommate over the last two years has been Evan Svoboda, the projected starting quarterback. Says Gyllenborg, “I think we’re in a great spot this year. I think this spring will be big, and just getting more reps with him [Svoboda] will continue to grow our relationship. We're all in this together," observed Gyllenborg. “I'm excited to see what the future holds for our team."
The recognition from the media keeps coming. College Football Network has ranked John Michael Gyllenborg the preseason No. 1 Tight End in the Mountain West Conference.
Gyllenborg’s position coach, Shannon Moore, had much to say about the 2024 season and his tight end room. Moore expressed his confidence in the emerging leadership now that many of last season’s experienced players are gone. "Now it's John Michael’s turn, Nick Miles’ turn, and Caleb Driskill's turn to be leaders. And they're stepping into that role." Moore highlighted Gyllenborg's qualities, stating, "He's like unbelievable. He's very gifted, but he's very humble. You can't say anything bad about him." Moore commended Gyllenborg's dedication and energy on the field, noting, "His whole deal is he is one hundred percent in on every play. He will not slack. He will not take a break. He goes hard every play." Moore emphasized Gyllenborg's positive influence on the team, asserting that he sets an excellent example for the younger players in the room and the entire team.
Reflecting on Gyllenborg’s journey from Rockhurst to Wyoming, Kelly Donohoe expressed gratitude for the supportive role played by Gyllenborg’s family. "His parents are great. Both of them are really great professionals in their careers and are very supportive parents." As John Michael continues to improve at Wyoming, the Rockhurst community remains proud of his accomplishments. "We're all really excited," said Donohoe. “None of us ‘back home’ are surprised. We just knew that if he dedicated himself to it, he would find a way to be an impact player. Don’t forget about us little people back here in Missouri," quipped Donohoe. Baseball coach Jim DeGraw had some final thoughts on Gyllenborg: "He's a special kid. We've been tracking him at Wyoming. He's one of the young men we follow and talk about on Saturday afternoons, and it's just a great story. He's just an amazing kid and athlete, and we're very proud of him.”
Gyllenborg’s former coaches all agreed that if you ask John Michael about his achievements, he will humbly “not toot his own horn.” They expressed that emphasizing his commitment to his values is important to him. "He's not going to want it to be about himself," remarked Donohoe. Potts agreed. "He doesn't like to brag. He doesn't want to draw attention to himself."