2026 Season ending interview with Gavyn Xavier Lane Combs from Betsy Layne High School

 Name: Gavyn Xavier Lane Combs

School/town: Betsy Layne High School in Stanville, KY

Positions played: DL, OL, OLB, MLB, DE, RB, FB

Class: 2027

Height and Weight: 6’5” 290lbs

Jersey Number: 62

Awards won or earned: 

Ranked #1 DL in Kentucky Class 2A by @BG_gameday 

Ranked #7 DL in Kentucky Class of 2027 by @PrepRedzoneKY 

Rated ⭐️⭐️⭐️ by @BlueGreyFB and named to play in this year’s bowl game at AT&T Stadium

Named 2024 & 2025 @HSFBamerica Academic All-American

2026 All-American with @BlueGreyFB & @ODFootballCamps 

2025 All-State Class 1A/2A/3A @KPGfootball & @bigassfans 

2024 & 2025 All-Mountain by Appalachian Media

2024 & 2025 All-District by Appalachian Media


HUDL LINK: Dont have HUDL Links but film is on my Rivals Profile

www.on3.com/rivals/gavyn-combs-285455/


Other sports played: Basketball 2023-24, 2024-25 & 2026-27


Twitter Handle: @gavynxlcombs33


During our interview in 2025, you listed the following positions that you played: TE, RB, DE, DT, OT, MLB, and OLB. How many of those positions did you play this season? 

RB, DE, DT, OT, MLB, OLB

How hard mentally was it being ready to play each of those positions? 

 It wasn’t that hard mentally for any of them, over the years and with experience I’ve grown very comfortable playing any position I’m asked. Playing for a small school, we started the season with 24 players and ended the last four weeks with 16, I’ve been expected to play everywhere on the field.

Reflecting on your high school football career, what moment will you remember the most? Explain

In my freshman year, I was a starter on defense and was part of the first team in school history to win a playoff game

What was the toughest part of your career?

 The toughest was by far playing the last two years with a team that just didn’t have the numbers or experience to be as competitive as we were my first two years. We went 19-5 my first two years and went 6-15 my last two. 

Focusing just on the 2026 season, what do you believe went wrong, as far as the losses go? 

 I think we had an idea in July it was going to be a long season. We just didn’t have many people come out for the team and had only 4 seniors varsity experience. After going 2-2 our first four games, injuries finished us off. We lost three players for the entire season and played without 6 starters the rest of the year. 

What was the highlight of the 2026 season? 

Our game against Floyd Central, we were down 52-39 with 3:55 left in the game, had the ball on our 19 yard line 4th and 9, we ended scoring a touchdown on that play as I pushed our QB into the end zone from the 10. We held them next possession and ended up winning 53-52. At that time, I really thought we could have a good year but it just wasn’t meant to be. Floyd Central is playing in the second round of the playoffs this Friday night.

We will get more into the topic later in the interview.

 For now, where on the field do you believe you will be playing in college? 

I feel like I’m being recruited more for the Defensive Line but really could end up on the Offensive Line, I will play anywhere to help what team takes a chance on me

What will you miss most from playing high school football? 

My teammates, the brotherhood we had, and its funny but I made a lot of friends on the other teams in the area and who we played against and I’m gonna miss that familiarity of playing against them. There were some good conversations on the field. 

Of all of the road stadiums you played in, which one was the toughest to play in? Explain 

East Ridge was the toughest, not because of the team or the atmosphere but it was because their field was basically a swamp and it was like trying to play in a bowl soup whenever we played there, I hated it 

Again, focusing on the road stadiums, which one was your favorite to have played in? Explain 

Eagles Field at Leslie County. I ended my career there but it was also where I worked out with my older brother Keenan who played for Leslie County while I was in grade school, and it’s also where my dad played against Tim Couch when they were in high school. So there’s a lot of history there and it’s cool that I got to add to that. 

In your opinion, what is it going to take for the football program at Betsy Layne to turn things around and win on a consistent level?

 It will be tough, the school started varsity football in 1977 and it took 46 years to win the first playoff game. Most of the time the best players usually leave to play at Prestonsburg, Pikeville or other area schools that are known for winning. I truly believe football lacks support form administration that it gives basketball, and until that is matched, I don’t think you’ll see teams like we had my freshman and sophomore year again

Would you share with the readers some of the schools that are recruiting you?

Indiana was the very first school to reach out to me my sophomore year, Kentucky followed and from there it’s been a steady flow of coaches from all over reaching out. Wisconsin, Colorado State, UNLV, USC, West Virginia, Iowa State, JMU, App State, UNC Charlotte, Wake Forest, Kentucky Wesleyan, Ohio Wesleyan, Grace land University

What is your favorite home-cooked meal? 

BBQ Chicken or Pork

Louisville or Kentucky?

 Kentucky, L’s Down

What is a fad or style that your generation has that you just don't get?

 Transferring schools and not being loyal