By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
Former Topeka High standout and University of Kansas running back Tylan Alejos recently returned home, signing with backyard school Washburn University's football program for the next four years, allowing the redshirt freshman to perform at a high level in his hometown.
Former Topeka High football star Tylan Alejos (7) has set high goals for himself at Washburn after transferring from Kansas. [File photo/TSN]
Immediately after graduating from Topeka High, Alejos felt the best opportunity to grow was to walk on and make a name for himself at KU.
According to the former Trojan, it was a great decision.
“At the time, it was my best decision,” Alejos said. “KU gave me the best possibility to put my name out there. I got exposed and showed that I could play at any level. I knew I could play at the next level, and I wanted to prove to myself that I could.”
It took a lot of confidence for Alejos to take a route with no guarantees of walking on at the Division I level. But that edge and belief have been with him since his high school days at Topeka High.
“I’ve always been good at sports, and I know that I’ve had that confidence since little league,” Alejos said. “I felt like I got shook when I first got to KU because there were so many talented backs. Eventually, as the year (went by), I started to get my confidence back; I got more reps and things like that. I started to get more comfortable in the offense.
“I felt like I had a very good spring at KU. I got the most reps I ever had there. I thought it was the perfect time to try and look for another program for some playing time.”
His time with Topeka High coach Carlos Kelly prepared him for the ups and downs of being a college football player due to Kelly’s advanced system that prepares players for the next level.
“He (Kelly) prepared me in high school ball, so when I got to college, there were no surprises,” Alejos said. “With him, I knew what was expected. He made me realize that it was going to be hard, but the hard work would transition.”
Before Alejos found himself back home at Washburn, he was able to establish a system for himself that could allow him to keep improving his craft and not fall into any rust while being in the transfer portal.
His training regimen has been consistent for the entire summer. He usually hits the gym around 5 a.m. before going to work at a construction job he picked up. With the construction job and daily training, Alejos feels as strong as he’s ever felt, mentally and physically.
“I’d have to say this is the strongest I’ve been for sure,” Alejos said. “In the (KU) spring game, I was showing out. I showed that I could play with anyone on any level.”
Alejos is inspired by his former Topeka High teammate and friend, Danny Saili. The former Trojan and Hutchinson Community College product recently announced his commitment to play football at Oklahoma.
“I’m very proud of him,” Alejos said. “He’s worked hard for everything. He’s always talked himself up to be in that position. He found a great opportunity for himself, and I’m glad that he took it. I hope everything works out for him. He’s one of the best players I’ve ever seen. For his size, how well he moves is crazy. He is mindblowing. His Hutch film is crazy.”
Alejos has already set goals that he’d like to achieve for this upcoming season with his new team at Washburn.
“I plan to break Washburn’s single-season rushing record, touchdown record, and every rushing record they have,” Alejos said. “Any record that I can break, I will break. I have four years to break them.”
According to Alejos, nothing feels better than living out a dream and living it out in the city that raised him.
“It feels good to tell people in the city that I’m playing for Washburn now, and they can catch a game with me,” Alejos said. “Being from the city, it makes it a lot more fun to go to Washburn games. For some reason, people from Topeka don’t go to Washburn as much as they should. Everybody overlooks it. Washburn provides the best opportunity, and you get to stay home.
“Everything is here; it’s home.”
