Gareon Conley Makes 18
All it took was 24 hours on Ohio State's campus with Urban Meyer for ATH Gareon Conley to switch sides in the rivalry.
The former Michigan commitment and Massillon Washington product became the eighteenth member in the Buckeyes' recruiting class of 2013 when he decided to give the staff his verbal pledge during his Wednesday through Friday visit to Columbus with his mother.
The 6-2/170 Conley is an Under Armour All-American (videos here and here) rated as a four-star prospect by 247, Scout, and ESPN, and a three-star by Rivals. He is ranked as high as the ninth best cornerback in the country (ESPN) and has a composite ranking of seventeenth best at the position, although the OSU coaches have talked to him about possibly playing wide receiver in Columbus.
This is a huge get for Meyer and the staff for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, Conley is an excellent player who can provide much needed depth at either cornerback or wide receiver. Second, the Bucks land another Massillon Washington star, allowing them to continue a strong relationship with the program that has most recently brought them Devin Smith, and has some talented 2014 prospects on the radar. Finally, OSU takes away a significant member of Michigan's recruiting class, adding more fuel to the rivalry and weakening a conference opponent at the same time.
We will catch up with Gareon to get more on his commitment to Ohio State, so stay tuned to the 11W front page for a story in the near future, as well as the latest happenings on the recruiting trail.
Highlights of Conley in action:
Comments
My thought exactly. I actually did this motion when I saw the gray box.
It doesn't get any cooler than Kipman Dynamite and Gareon Conley switching from the bad guys to OSU.
"Here officer, hold my beer while I find my license."
Cue butthurt Michigan fans in 3...2...1..
or
We never wanted him anyway!!!111
Class of 2010
LOL one of them on twitter just said "he just made the biggest mistake of his life"
Haha I was about to post this, but saw this. Hilarious. Yes, he made the biggest mistake of his life by going to one of the best universities in the country with a chance @ the NFL and lifetime connect as a Buckeye alum and player.
I'm sure Hail and others will be on soon to start the excuses or this above....can't wait to see what they all say. Eventually they'll stop coming here because they don't like the truth...just like 2005-2010.
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you."
"I love football. I think it is most wonderful game in world and I despise to lose."
Woody Hayes 1913 - 1987
It'll be TenYearWar claiming we cheated and have an unfair advantage because we cheat.
I'm ok with the claims that we cheat. More reason to destroy everyone every time
I would not make such a claim. Besides, Michigan still has the better class.
Time will tell which class is better TenYear. As for now, OSU just got a Tsun recruit & that's music to our ears here. You're anger at this situation is understandable, but it too is music...
The world is full of kings & queens who'll blind your eyes & steal your dreams - it's heaven & hell - Ronnie James Dio.
I'm not angry at all. I think most Michigan fans saw this coming, and while obviously it's not ideal, it's one player out of 23. You are correct though, only time will tell which class is better.
For now. Just like last year. Michigan starts off strong, OSU passes them in the end.
If you're talking strictly about recruiting rankings, I doubt OSU will pass Michigan (24/7 being the exception of course). Michigan has a good shot to land Green, McQuay, Massington, and an outside shot at Treadwell, and there are 3 four-star lineman visitng on the 14th.
Doesn't matter to me if OSU ends up ranked higher in recruiting rankings than UM. Both of their classes will be (and already are) really good.
What really matter is what happens on the field with the guys you bring in.
Not to mention, rivals 10 year recruiting rankings, or throughout the Tressel era... I think OSU had the 12th best recruiting class on average throughout those 10 years and Michigan was something like 8th or 9th... yet OSU had the best winning % outside of Boise State and a 9-1 record vs Michigan with, on average lower ranked classes.
Spot on. And you d-bags win on the field about once every ten years now. Because you suck.
AKA September Heisman.
Michigan's class isn't better than OSU's, it just has more players. Michigan took anybody and everybody they could from ohio that OSU didn't want or need. besides a couple exceptions, we got all the ohio guys we wanted. We have two more months till signing day, and we wil fill the few spots we have left with very highly rated players and end up with a better recruiting class! Probably top-5.
"Get him a body bag, Yeah!"
Meyer is the THE MAN!! I sure hope this isn't the last commit of the weekend and with a quick start I don't think it will be!!
I posted this in the forum earlier for Conley, but this .gif is never going to get old.
How could Gareon say no to this?
"Attack the Strong, Trample the Weak, Hurdle the Dead!"
-Former OSU S&C Coach Lichter
Win.
"We hate to lose, but when we do, rest assured we'll be back, and someone will pay the price." Coach Hayes
I wish I could send this GIF to nick saban. "I'M COMING FOR YOU SABAN!"
"Get him a body bag, Yeah!"
Made my day! Welcome to the Buckeye Nation Gareon!
You guys are well ahead of the curve on this one. BN message boards are blowing up on it, but you are the first print/site guys to have it
Great job 11W staff. Easily the best Buckeye site , bar none.
Boxley
Hell yeah!!!! Does this mean we are out of the running for Vonn Bell?
The 2012 National Champions.
I thought Bell was a more of a safety prospect.
Wayne Woodrow Hayes
Since he is an ATH, I would say that he could fill either DB or WR, so flexibility depending on what happens with Bell, Quick, Elder.... not preempting any of them.
Gareon may get a chance to play WR. On the defensive side, I think he'd be more of a CB. I don't think it would affect Vonn Bell's decision.
Welcome to Buckeye Nation, Gareon!
Oh how we missed you grey box of recruiting news!
If I could up vote you I would!
I up voted both of you for you OSUMANN. Not my type of up vote so consider it your vote
I love when players commit while on a visit with other potential recruits. The other ones thinking about it see the excitement of the coach and how happy everyone is it sometimes makes them want to join in on the fun.
Urban to Gareon: Just when I thought you couldn't possibly be any dumber committing to TTUN, you go and do something like this...AND TOTALLY REDEEM YOURSELF
Wayne Woodrow Hayes
Happiness abounds
Ahhh... Gray box. Its official!
scUM didn't want him anyway, they have Kyle Kalis. He plays OL/DB/WR so it's no loss for them. Cue all the scUM trolls telling me otherwise...de..doop..de..do.
Great job Urban. Welcome Gareon.
He's a wide receiver, he's a safety, he's on his way to Michigan. LOL at this now. Urban has now flipped recruits from MSU, Wisc, Penn St and now scUM!
Don't forget Notre Dame; Urb has flipped a player and coaches from there.
MY BUTT'S SO BIG, I SPLIT MY PJ BOTTOMS
One of these days Urban's gonna flip coach Mattison from scUM, whenever we need to replace a DC.
"Get him a body bag, Yeah!"
CB's Conley and Woodard, Safety's Burrows and Bell.
NO FLY ZONE
Don't forget about Thompson!
^^^Indeed...he looked good all year and especially in the DII State title game.
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you."
"I love football. I think it is most wonderful game in world and I despise to lose."
Woody Hayes 1913 - 1987
wow. will Urban ever lose a big ten game? or a game in general? im hoping we break the UCONN womens record of 90 games. 12 now, 14 next year, and 15 there on out Urban should have it in the middle of his 7th year. along with 6 NC, 6 Heismans, and wins over the Browns and Bengals.
Ok, I actually laughed out loud at that last part about the wins over the Browns and Bengals. Made my day. Thanks.
I thought that Gene Smith said that, because of the four team playoff, Ohio State would play fewer creampuffs in future years.
We have a winner
German Shorthaired Pointer. Nice.
He looks much more natual at db than at wr. Very good instincts at cb. Only has been playing football since his soph year.
I love gray boxes...about as much as I like Scotch.
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you."
"I love football. I think it is most wonderful game in world and I despise to lose."
Woody Hayes 1913 - 1987
Urban discusses recruiting with Brady Hoke:
Finally, a gray box, have been waiting for awhile.
My michigan friend says "whatever, we dont need him anyway"................survey says?!?!?!?! #1 answer on the board!!!!!!!!!
Of course he does. That was what inspired my post above.
hell yes another quality commit...
The Walmart Wolverine tears sustain me
Like Manna from Heaven
-The Aristocrats!
Wow, Rivals and ESPN are extremely far apart on this kid... #2 vs #40 in state ranking??
Either way its great to flip a kid who was originally committed to tsun...
Rivals is the outlier on this one. Both 24/7 and Scout also have him as a 4*.
Oh, gray box, how I have yearned for you since our last encounter...
And welcome to the family, Mr. Conley...
"The revolution will be televised."
This is my playground brady. If ohio was sparta, you'd cbe calling me leonidas. This is OHIO!!!!
Signed,
Urban meyer
Hey B1G Urb has the cord in his hands.Count down till he pulls the plug.GO BUCKS!
I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then.
Sweet.
I like football
Oh wow, forgot how much I missed Entourage.
I wouldn't cheer for Michigan if they were playing the Taliban.
Our DB class will be as majestic as a bald eagle getting a hand job from the Statue of Liberty herself!!! Congrats Gareon! Great work UFM!
"Lets beat the shit out of Michigan".... Urban. Frank. Meyer.
Well played sir!
Upvote for hilarity and AFT referances L O L
~Because we couldn't go for three~
Interesting, I was reading MGoBlog (trying to gauge their reaction) and someone three mentioned that Meyer told Bri'onte Dunn that he'd pull his offer if he visited UM? Any truth to this? Seems like multiple people on there were in agreement about it.
This is true. Not a policy of urbans but a one time example
O'Deez330
stark county football
he mentioned it early in the season during a presser when talking about Dunn's progress. Essentially said that he told Dunn "if you visit up there, you better like it because that's where you will be." Urb The Enforcer
Interesting. I wonder if it was due to his desperation to hold the class together? Probably sensed that if Dunn left for UM, it would be a tipping point and kill the class's momentum. Regardless, I don't necessarily like the move, but I am pleased with its results haha.
I think part of the issue was a) where Dunn was going to visit and b) the mad rush Urban was in to secure the class. I wonder if he will use this same method moving forward or if it was a special scenario?
Dunn had already visited UM multiple times. I think Urban was just tired of the game. He'd been committed to us for a year and had seen both schools plenty enough times to make a decision. So Urban drew the line and said you can stay committed to us or go on another visit there and lose your OSU offer. Dunn cancelled the visit.
Ding Ding Ding. We have a winner.
The world is full of kings & queens who'll blind your eyes & steal your dreams - it's heaven & hell - Ronnie James Dio.
Does ATH mean 'Around The Horn'
Taquitos.
In Conley's case, "ATH" = athodyd.
Scramjet, bro. scramjet.
Taquitos.
Cue the "It doesn't matter, we're going to get Mcquay, Green and Tredwell" comments.
Nice.
The world is full of kings & queens who'll blind your eyes & steal your dreams - it's heaven & hell - Ronnie James Dio.
Welcome to Buckeye Nation. It's way better here than at AACC.
247 is saying that he will take an official visit to scUM on 12/14. Hopefully cHoke doesn't convince him to come back.
At this point, I'd be surprised if he doesn't cancel his scUM visit.
I would be surprised if he publiclly commited here then actually goes back up there at all after decommitting.... I cna't imagine Hoke would even see him... because it would be more humiliating for them if he came and stayed with the Buckeyes after visiting... this will be a done deal
"Statistics always remind me of a fellow who drowned in a river where the average depth was only three feet." - Coach Woody Hayes
He's got that "Ted Ginn" type of stride... Nice!
these type of players dont have a set position with Meyer IMO, he will use his talents to the best of his ability and be placed in a position to help the team dominate.
Know how we know if we're doing something right?
The thread on MGoBlog on this topic gets locked and depublished.
Just FYI, one poster was the reason they locked it. It even says that right in the thread.
I love how we're getting lockdown CBs and espeically big/tall ones. Burrows/Woodard both 6'0, Conley 6'1. Can't wait to see this secondary in a few years, especially w/ Thompson, Powell, Grant, Bogard, and hopefully Bell!
Don't forget about Najee Murray!
Conley isn't going to be playing CB
I'm new to the site so I have been wondering what this magical gray box is that everyone speaks of so often. Consider me informed, now I'm ready for the next one. Keep it up coaches!
Welcome to 11W!
Be warned, Colorado, that not all grey boxes are good things. In fact, when all the Tat-gate news was breaking out, that news was, too, in grey boxes.
Yes - they can be the source of great joy or tremendous sorrow...Obviously this is a great joy one. A win against Tsun in football just 2 weeks after a win against Tsun in football is a damn good thing!
The world is full of kings & queens who'll blind your eyes & steal your dreams - it's heaven & hell - Ronnie James Dio.
There was a time when every time a gray box popped up it caused some real anxiety. Times have changed quite a bit though!
As you can see with this article, it's a gray box... anytime someone commits.
^At least I think haha.
Plus site news and major changes in CFB.
Welcome to the family Gareon!
Wasn't the selling point for OSU is the fact that Conley could play WR? I feel like if we get Bell or Worley that will close out our DB class and Conley will get moved to WR...
Woo-Hoo! Great way to get the weekend started.....I think I'll cut out of the office a tad early and raise a beer in the name of UFM and his recruiting magic!
Ooo we got Conley you say, time to roll on over to MgoBlog to listen to the anguish.
Ohio State's band SLAUGHTERED Michigan's band. If this were a football game, it would have been Florida State vs. Savannah State. - SB Nation following OSU vs. UM 2012
I am no longer a gray box virgin!!! I saw my first gray box since being on 11W. Sweet pickup...More to come.
Findog
Now you'll be able to say this:
I was going to make a Hocus Pocus joke..but..its been a long week at work and i dont have the energy
Welcome to the Buckeye family Gareon.
Urban 3:16 says I just flipped your recruit. Flipping recruits from TSUN makes me giddy.
Class of 2010.
Woooo Hoooooooo!
"Because the rules won't let you go for three." - Woody Hayes
THE Ohio State University
I smile as I picture Conley telling Urban he wants to be a Buckeye! Meyer dialhorst Brady hoke on speaker everyone laughs as home chokes on his doughnut.... Lol
Great pickup by UFM! Welcome to Buckeye Nation Conley! The last guy we had with that last name has been pretty successful in his sport.
Sooooooo...... Mr. Johnson, Mr. Mitchell, the podium is yours?
Nothing like dancing on the field in 02...
Does anybody know where I can get the jacket urban is wearing in this gif? I've been searching the interwebs and can't find it.
Also welcome to buckeye nation Conley, solid pickup
If you live in Columbus you can pick one up (red or white) at Buckeye Corner. $85.00 I believe.
I don't know where you found this, or what game it's from, but that. is. awesome.
4-6 seconds of relentless effort
I could be wrong, but I think that was after the Purdue game.
That is correct.
Isn't it nice to know that Urb gave 4-6 seconds of relentless effort after the game? ;0)
MY BUTT'S SO BIG, I SPLIT MY PJ BOTTOMS
^^^ my fav one yet
mark may wins douchebag of the year... again
Zoom in on this gif and watch the faces of the players..how could a recruit see the looks on those faces and not want to be apart of that brotherhood!?
If Conley is moved to WR, I think we'll only go after one more WR- either Quick or Gibson.
The 2012 National Champions.
Great news to get a former UM commit. Made my weekend.
I'm sorry but that is the most average film I have ever seen.
I hate to say it but this kid looks unbelievably mediocre. But if he really has 4.4 speed then he can be developed I suppose.
Watch his actual highlight tape, this is just one game, and one side of the ball.
I wouldn't cheer for Michigan if they were playing the Taliban.
I love it that URBZ flipped Conley, mainly because he is in-state talent that was committed to UM. Good two way player, will be interesting to see what side of the ball he pans out on.
Help is on the way.
Welcome aboard Gareon!
It's been far too long since one of these:
Yep. Happy to watch Conley play in the Scarlet and Gray.
We got a "gray box", Michig@n got a .........