By Mandi Cooks, UTSA Athletics Communications
EDITOR'S NOTE: This feature appears in UTSA's game program for Saturday's contest with Southern Miss. For the complete program, visit www.GoUTSA.com/program.
Question: How does it feel to be undefeated and making history?
Jalyn Galmore: It feels like we are doing what we are supposed to do. We are taking care of one day at a time and we are letting everything work itself out.
Question: Why did you decide to stay another year and become a super senior?
JG: I wanted to leave this place better than when I got here. I have a lot of faith in Coach Traylor, and I didn't want to leave the guys yet, so I had to bring it back one more time.
Question: What are some of your favorite moments from the game at UTEP last Saturday night?
JG: That might be the most fans I have seen this season. The atmosphere was live and I really enjoyed it. It felt like actually playing college ball. It was just fun. The play I remember was the second play of the game when Sincere broke it 75 (yards). It was blocked so perfectly, he didn't have a choice but to score. The rest of it was just I loved watching our defense, but I am so focused on my guys at the line that the rest of it fades to the back. I go in when my number is called, I relay messages, I'm on field goal and I do what I can for the team.
What do you think was one of the reasons that helped get that win on the road?
JG: When UTSA and UTEP play, everybody knows about it. It's almost like a family atmosphere. Everybody knows each other. It's like playing an in-town rivalry. There were so many people, and I saw a UTEP group sitting right next to a UTSA group that would have a conversation between breaks. The Triangle always travels. Anytime we strap it up on the way, Coach Traylor makes it known that there is only X amount (of players) on the plane. That's all we got and that's all we need.
Question: In what ways did your injury in 2018 impact you, and how did you fight through it to get back on the field?
JG: It brought me closer to my faith and to God. I am not overly spiritual, but I try to be a decent Christian so that's a lot of it. My mom and I got a lot closer. She came down here and didn't leave for almost a week to take care of me. When Nik (Turner) and Marie (Charpentier) came in, it sent me through the roof. With me playing more, my body is feeling much better now and with Coach Traylor and Coach Mattox, I would run through a wall for them. I know they have my best interests. I knew I could recover. I just had to physically get back into it and have somebody to have faith in and I have faith in our coaches.
Question: Based on this experience, what advice would you give high school athletes that are looking to play Division 1 football?
JG: It's the nature of the sport. When you put that helmet on, there is a possibility you could get hurt. In that event where you get hurt, whether it's a twisted ankle or a surgery, commit to rehab and don't quit. If you quit then you're already done. Keep your faith and the injury will get better.
Question: What are some of your goals you want to accomplish with your degree after football?
JG: I plan on having football in my life the rest of my life. I plan on coaching either college or high school ball. I love helping people reach their goals in football and love watching them succeed. As long as football is in my future, then I'm good. Right now, I am taking a teaching class and working to be a GA. I just have to keep learning the game. I have been playing for like twenty years and I still don't know everything about the game. I have a lot of growing to do to help my guys, so I have to keep learning.
Question: What are some of your hobbies you do off the field?
JG: I like to laugh a lot, and I am a huge movie guy. My first choice is comedy, but I love anything Marvel. I am a huge foodie. I can hold my own in cooking because I can grill and can bake. I can cook a lot of stuff, but for some reason I can't make fried chicken. My go-to for fast food is probably Chipotle. Wings for sure are my favorite food. In Mississippi growing up with my brother, we would ride our horses. One of them was named Cocoa and the other was Showtime, but there were a lot of horses that we would ride back home. Basketball was my first love. My favorite player of all time is Shaq. I am more football oriented, but the first ball I picked up was a basketball. The love I have for them didn't change, but I was the one that grew. When I was little, my high school was on an 89-0 streak in football. That is where my family went every Friday. When I got to the age to play, it's all I wanted to do.
Question: In the mood of the holiday that is coming up, do you have any favorite Thanksgiving traditions at your house?
JG: Tradition no, but food yes. I enjoy Thanksgiving because of the family I get to see. I come from a big family, and football is always a part of it because we have to watch the game. My mom makes this Cajun turkey and mac-n-cheese. Since I've been in San Antonio, Spencer Burford's mom has basically adopted me. Now, I have to have her pork chops and cornbread.
Question: If you could address our home crowd, what would you say?
JG: After these two weeks, these will be the last of my games as a Roadrunner. I am glad the fans are finally coming back, and we are going to try our best to give them a show. When it's third down for Southern Miss, get loud. We appreciate y'all ,so keep coming.
