From Tip-Off to Kickoff
10/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 12, 2016
By Shayla Baker
Ohio State Athletics Communications
Featured in the October 8th edition of the Ohio State Football Official Gameday Magazine. To view more from the Ohio State vs. Indiana Gameday Magazine, click here.
Standing out on the basketball court transferred seamlessly when a future Buckeye stepped on to the football field. Athleticism and an incredible work ethic helped shift his focus when it mattered most. Making noise on the field landed Gareon Conley the opportunity to be amongst the greatest to play for The Ohio State University.
Conley came to the Buckeyes as the No. 1 player in Ohio as a senior in high school. However, standing out did not come easy. Conley had to challenge himself to fight for playing time since his position group was stacked with powerhouse athletes.
With such a talented group of individuals around him, Conley has been pushed to make sure he performs at a new level. Having a young, hungry and equally-skilled bunch to lead has reassured him that he has to give it his all each and every time he steps on the field.
“You never have a bad day,” Conley said. “Keep your head up, no matter what goes wrong.”
Conley’s determination to keep his head up no matter what the circumstances are allows him to have a positive outlook on life.
Now entering his junior year as the only returning starter in the defensive secondary, things have come full circle for Conley. By committing to put in a lot of hard work, Conley secured his starting position and took on a new role as one of the seven captains for the Buckeyes. His position as a captain has brought about a new sense of responsibility and leadership for Conley, and he is well prepared for the task.
“In our room, he’s clearly the leader, he’s clearly in charge, and he’s exceedingly talented,” cornerbacks coach Kerry Coombs said. “But he does not allow that talent to keep him from working hard and helping his teammates reach their fullest potential.”
Conley not only has a huge responsibility as a leader on the field, but as a leader to those that matter most to him, his family. His family has provided both the motivation and encouragement he needed to develop into the great player that we know and see today.
With his younger brother looking up to him as a role model, he constantly strives to set a great example for him as he considers him one of his biggest motivators on and off the field. Despite all of the accolades and achievements surrounding him, Conley wants to leave behind a legacy that flows beyond sports.
“I want to be remembered for being a man of good character, a man with a superb work ethic, a man who is never afraid and won’t back down from a challenge,” Conley added.
“Gareon is one of those rare players who really puts his teammates first,” Coombs said. “He’s very encouraging to the other players to get plays and get on the field. He is a treasure to coach. Gareon is a gifted football player and very special young man, the kind of kid you’d want your own son to be like. Passionate yet gentle. Tough but kind.”
Just the type of player to represent The Ohio State University.
