UW Safety Striking a Balance Between Singing, Saving Touchdowns

LARAMIE -- He was once told his soft pitch made people's ears bleed.

Still, that didn't stop Jett Vincent from "accidentally" stumbling onto a budding music career. It all happened in true country-and-western fashion, too.

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"I was talking with this girl in high school and she broke my heart a little bit," he said with a shy grin. "So, I tried to write a song to get her back. I didn't get the girl, but I found I could write music, so I ran with it."

When Vincent isn't picking and crooning, his days are now occupied roaming Wyoming's secondary, lining up at both safety positions. It's a natural fit. The numbers certainly bear that out.

During a decorated prep career at Canton-Galva and Wheatland High Schools, the Grinnell, Kan., product racked up staggering numbers on both sides of the ball, none more impressive than an interception record that still stands today.

Vincent snagged 36 picks -- yes, you read that right -- during his four-year tenure in 8-man football. No other player in Kansas high school history has touched that number, in any class. He also added 48 pass breakups and 307 tackles.

That's not all.

The three-sport standout hauled in 131 career receptions, most coming off the arm of his older brother, Trey Vincent, for 2,518 yards. He found the end zone an eye-popping 37 times.

Humble to his roots, Jett Vincent said he maybe took six of those interceptions back for touchdowns, too.

"I think it goes back to being young, playing with my dad and my little brother," he said of his success with the ball in his hands. "Even since we're walking, playing in the living room, to growing up playing one-on-one in the yard, just kind of having a nose to see the ball and going and getting the ball.

"Back in high school, we had a good D-line, so they had the quarterback, got after him, he threw it up in the air and I was there to go get it."

It's just that simple.

Vincent's résumé attracted the two major in-state programs, Kansas and Kansas State, but it was Colorado State and former defensive coordinator Freddie Banks that eventually sealed the deal.

If that name sounds familiar, it should.

Banks, who now leads the defense at Wake Forest, played cornerback for former Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl at North Dakota State. He also recruited current defensive coordinator Aaron Bohl when he landed a coaching gig at Minnesota State Moorhead.

It was his vote of confidence that also landed Vincent on the Cowboys' radar this offseason, after spending three years in Fort Collins and tallying just 21 tackles -- while mainly playing out of position -- for the Rams.

Trey Vincent, who followed his brother to CSU, is still on the roster, lining up at safety.

"When Jett got in (the NCAA Transfer Portal) I called Freddie and was like, 'You know what we're all about' and he goes, 'Oh, yeah, this kid, mentality-wise, is what you want,'" Aaron Bohl said of the 6-foot-2, 203-pound defensive back. "He's a really good fit for us."

Jay Sawvel agrees.

Wyoming's third-year head coach said Vincent is currently in a battle for a starting gig. Against whom? That is likely Brooklyn Cheek with Fort Collins native Jones Thomas all but locking up the free safety spot.

"He has good ball skills," Sawvel added. "He's made improvements. These next couple of weeks are a big deal for him, as far as playing the style and the way that we want him to play as a defensive back. He's going to be a big positive, a benefit for our program in a number of ways. We've got work to do still, but I think he's making good strides."

Vincent is already gaining a reputation among the wide receiver room as a downhill hitter, one who shows up with bad intentions.

"He's definitely physical and fast," senior Charlie Coenen said. "He's a bigger body, and yeah, he's definitely starting to show out in this fall camp. He's made a couple great plays."

One of those was stepping in front of a tight end near the west sideline and picking off presumed starter Tyler Hughes. He almost made it two a handful of snaps later.

"He's a very solid player," wideout Justin Popovich added. "I think he definitely will be a big part of our team this year."

The main question is, what's more nerve-racking: Suiting up in front of a capacity crowd and playing football or standing all alone with your guitar on stage?

For Vincent, that's easy.

Though he remembers that initial performance, one that took place on a flat-bed trailer in front of the entire town at the annual Harvest Fest, neither option for him is "over the top."

"I feel like I've been in a lot of those scenarios where I can have peace and enjoy the moment, but definitely putting on the pads, man," he said. "There's nothing like going out there with your brothers."

His father and grandfather taught him the chords. Musicians like Zach Bryan elevated his interest in the music scene. Now, with a catalog full of originals, Vincent has been making the rounds on the local bar circuit. In fact, tonight he is playing at The Cowboy in downtown Laramie.

Sawvel said he's never seen Vincent play the guitar and sing, but has checked out his videos on social media. He won't likely be in attendance for his next performance, either.

"He better be the only person that's watching him live on Friday," he joked, referring to an all-important scrimmage that will take place inside War Memorial Stadium the following afternoon.

And what's there to be anxious about?

"Unless it's like Roadhouse where they're throwing beer bottles at you or something," Sawvel continued with a grin. "I mean, you don't know any of these people."

Vincent said his focus is on footwork, coverages and what the signal caller is doing, he is enjoying sharing his art -- on the side, of course.

"I guess it's a big dream of mine now to pursue it and do what I can with the abilities God has given me," he said. "I think it's cool to see people appreciate my music. It was never meant to do anything for me, so it's a joy to see other people happy from it."

About that girl ...

"I try not to think about it," he said with a laugh. "I hope she's doing good. Glad we can be friends."

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