Going into the big recruiting weekend, Buckeye fans were hoping for at least one verbal commitment. We thought there was a good possibility of this happening, and it just so happens we were right.
Conley became the 18th member of the 2013 classFriday afternoon the wish of Buckeye fans was granted, as OSU landed former Michigan commit, Massillon (OH) Washington ATH Gareon Conley.
The 6-1/170 Conley had been committed to the Wolverines since March before deciding to decommit last week. This was after a month of speculation that he wanted to visit other schools, including Ohio State, Oregon, and possibly Cincinnati.
Conley arrived in Columbus for his official visit late Wednesday night and stayed thru tonight's pep rally at St. John Arena. It's safe to say he had a great time as he decided to commit to Urban Meyer during the visit.
We caught up with Conley to find out why he decided to become a Buckeye, how he committed, who played a key role in his choice, and more. Keep reading to learn more about the newest member of the Buckeye family, Gareon Conley.
You committed to Ohio State today. Why did you decide to become a Buckeye?
I just really like the coaching staff and Coach Urban Meyer is a wonderful guy. I feel he will make me a better player and man in general. I want to stay home, I'm an Ohio boy and I feel their program will help me a lot. I just like all of the players and my cousin, Devin Smith, told me everything and he will help me out.
When/how did you commit to the coaches?
Today after everything was over. My parents, Coach Meyer, and myself were in his office and he said, "Now that you got a feel for everything, let's get rolling to that national title." I said, "Let's go! I'm on board!"
What did you get to see on the visit?
I saw a lot of things. The educational tour was really nice and I liked watching the season highlights on the stadium scoreboard a lot. I also got to hang out with my cousin, Devin Smith. I love the football facilities and how everything is in its own little area.
What kind of role did Devin Smith play in your recruitment?
He just told me everything, but wasn't trying to recruit me because we're family. We were just hanging out like we used to and he said he would help me with anything if I did decide to come.
Is your decision final? Will you enroll early?
Yeah, it's final. No, I won't be leaving until June.
What position does OSU want you to play?
Coach Meyer said I need to learn both defensive back and wide receiver.
Did you get to meet any other commits?
Yeah, I met most of them. They were cool and we were clowning around. I'm comfortable already.
What's it like to switch from Michigan to Ohio State (two rivals)?
It was only hard switching because I really like Coach Mattison. I just feel like Ohio State is the better program for me.
What goals do you have once you get to Ohio State?
Get stronger and faster, work on skills, and get on the field to contribute.
What would you like to say to Buckeye Nation?
Thanks for welcoming me. I'm staying home and can't wait to get out there and put on for Ohio. Go Bucks!
Comments
Excited to have you!!! Go Bucks!
Interesting Meyer told him to learn both. Sounds like he is going to push him towards the position of need based on how the rest of the class falls.
Its a great time to be a Buckeye, welcome aboard young man
Staying home...just like all the best ohio kids do. Welcome. aboard Mr. Conley!
I like his answer of "I'm on board".... pumped already....
Agreed. And I like Urban's question too....
SWEEEEET. Welcome, Gareon. Buckeye Nation is glad to have you. Start fueling up for TTUN you just left...we want you to be 4-0 against them!!!!
Welcome home, kid!
Nice to see these talented guys stay in Ohio. This Meyer guy just might know what he's doing. Come on down Mitchell your next!
Go Bucks!!!
Props to Miles for killing it all week with Conley
Might be hard to get faster! Welcome to tOSU Gareon!!!
'OHIO boy. putting on for ohio'. love it. suck it scum
O'Deez330
stark county football
Jabba The Hut still has 8 of our boys cought in his net. I understand fully that we can't get them all,(not enough schollys, & maybe not all UFM types/fit), yet I still can't help think how Tress chocked the pipeline from this GREAT/BEAUTIFUL/GLORIOUS state off from that cess pool of dirt up north, & ttun just tanked!!
That was no co-ink-ee-dink!!!
Let's not forget, 3 of those years was against our beloved RichRod.
He looks bigger than his 165 - 172 listed weights on ESPN and 247
This makes me all --> :)
"I 've got an El Camino full of rampage"-- Sterling Archer, codename: Duchess
I would assume his visit up north has been cancelled?
Great to keep one of our own in state!
Tom just heard the news. op sorry.
This might be my favorite 11W interview ever.
Welcome, Gareon!
"There's a fine line between perception and reality." -- Luke Fickell
Welcome Gareon & thank you Miles!
A pathway back from the dark side there is.
Found it Boren did. Found it you did.
Cheer for you we will.
"We get paid to score touchdowns, not kick field goals"
-- Urban Meyer
aaand upvote for yoda usage.
All the games of the season are just practices for that glorious saturday in November when we get to jack Shoelace's invisible cereal bowl and drink our fill of delicious skunkweasel tears ...Michigan Still Sucks!!
why can't I upvote anything? I don't see this option anywhere??
You need 50 Helmet Stickers; i.e. up votes before you can do the voting yourself. This info is available in the "My Account" section.
Wayne Woodrow Hayes
Thanks for the info. Only 34 more to go!!
Buckeye Nation welcomes you Gareon. I will personally be watching you more than most of our recruits. You will have a special place in my heart because we stole you from the "Urea and Blue".
I had no idea that his cousin was a Buckeye. If I had known that I would have thought he was coming sooner.
Yes there are two Buckeyes in Ann arbor on this site!
Glad to have you in the mix gareon. I have to admit i don't know much about this kid since he's been committed to Michigan so long. anybody know his stars, speed, what other big time schools offered him, and what position he projects at? To me it sounds like Meyer might groom him to replace Philly brown in the slot but who knows? Between the '13 and '14 classes, OSU will have an unbelievable amount of options to fill that athletic Percy harvin role Meyer's been seeking whether it be for running back, wide receiver, whatever. Within two years, we will have three times the amount of 'video game stat' athletes that Oregon typically has! On another subject, if and when fickell and withers move on, don't be surprised if Meyer flips Greg mattison from ttun to OSU haha!
"Get him a body bag, Yeah!"
Everything you need to know was in body of this and links: http://www.elevenwarriors.com/2012/12/17287/gareon-conley-commits-to-ohio-state-football
That would be the mother-of-all-recruiting-coups, but wouldn't put it past UFM.
"Here officer, hold my beer while I find my license."
Welcome aboard and best of luck in your Buckeye career!!
Escaped from the dark side, welcome to the right side!
Come let's sing Ohios praise!!!
The world is full of kings & queens who'll blind your eyes & steal your dreams - it's heaven & hell - Ronnie James Dio.
Welcome to the family is right! Awesome to hear we can pull an Ohio kid Urban actually wanted back into the fold, and is where he feels he belongs... Love how Urban asked if they're ready to get rolling to a national title. Gareon has to know it's a very real possibility he could graduate as a Buckeye with one or more crystal footballs...
"...my cousin, Devin Smith..., my cousin, Devin Smith...":
Note to Bri'onte & Rod: UFM can "flip" Dymonte & Jaylon,(a MUCH needed LB) if you two work on your cousins.
That is all, thank you!
Jaylon is actually Rod's brother....even more of a bond
Probably no hope for jaylon considerind ND is in the championship game.
"Get him a body bag, Yeah!"
Not to mention his role model is in NYC for the Heisman presentation.
Glad to have ya! I wonder if Flounder will try to flip him back? I would be disappointed if he didn't try.
How's Grady going to flip him? Offer him lifetime pass/credit card to Golden City Chinese Buffet? I think the NCAA might have a problem with that.
"Here officer, hold my beer while I find my license."
Great job Miles! At the end he still said Ohio instead of tOSU so we still gotta beat that outta him but hes new so hell get a pass im sure hell learn quickly lol
Let's give him the benefit of the doubt that he meant "put one on for the state of Ohio" in the UFM "Let's make Ohio proud," or "Come let's sing Ohio's praise" sense, rather than Biggun's use of the state name as a weak attempt at mockery, yes?
Congrats to Gareon and a big Welcome to THE Ohio State University and Buckeye Nation!!!!
Scarlet and Gray will look GREAT on you!!!!!!!!!!!!
^^^^^^^^^This...how can you say no to that???;-)
"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
My favorite part:
"Here officer, hold my beer while I find my license."
I hope this guy starts right away at DB. That would more than make up for Kyle Failis as his giant ass warms the entire bench for the scUM offense.
"There is a force that makes us all brothers, no one goes his way alone." --Woody Hayes
You have chosen.....wisely.
"Now that you got a feel for everything, let's get rolling to that national title."
I guess Urbz gets all the coffee he wants.
http://youtu.be/qIreofCO6zg
So Devin Smith, Doran Grant and Gareon Conley are all cousins. That's pretty cool.
Scarlet and Grey must run in the family. Very good genes indeed!
"We hate to lose, but when we do, rest assured we'll be back, and someone will pay the price." Coach Hayes
SWEEEEEETTTTT.... Welcome to the winning side!!!! I'm guessing Flounder Hoke is ordering extra pizzas tonight
The best thing about Pastafarianism? It is not only acceptable, but advisable, to be heavily sauced
Welcome to back to Ohio and tOSU young man!
It always feels good to flip a recruit that was headed for enemy territory.