Michigan Wolverines: Gareon Conley
State of the Rivalry: Defensive backs 
February, 28, 2013
Feb 28
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By
Tom VanHaaren and
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
The writers at WolverineNation and BuckeyeNation put their heads together to break down the rivals' 2013 classes. Position by position, they’ll give you a look at who Brady Hoke and Urban Meyer brought in and, ultimately, which class edged out the other. It’s too early to say what will happen over the next few seasons, and we won’t make any promises except that Hoke and Meyer are going to put talent on the field.
Ohio State got: The Buckeyes were praised nationally for their wide receiver/athlete, linebacker and defensive line positions, but there’s no doubt the defensive backfield is the headliner of the 2013 recruiting class. From ESPN 150 cornerbacks Eli Apple (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern) and Cam Burrows (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison) to other ESPN 150 defensive backs such as Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio/Washington) and Vonn Bell (Rossville, Ga./Ridgeland), Ohio State is loaded in the secondary. The fact ESPN 300 safety Jayme Thompson (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic) is the fifth-best DB on the list shows just how strong the unit is. Add three-star safety Darron Lee (New Albany, Ohio/New Albany), who is ranked 22nd at his position, and Ohio State’s strength will come in air defense for the next four to five years.
Ohio State got: The Buckeyes were praised nationally for their wide receiver/athlete, linebacker and defensive line positions, but there’s no doubt the defensive backfield is the headliner of the 2013 recruiting class. From ESPN 150 cornerbacks Eli Apple (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern) and Cam Burrows (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison) to other ESPN 150 defensive backs such as Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio/Washington) and Vonn Bell (Rossville, Ga./Ridgeland), Ohio State is loaded in the secondary. The fact ESPN 300 safety Jayme Thompson (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic) is the fifth-best DB on the list shows just how strong the unit is. Add three-star safety Darron Lee (New Albany, Ohio/New Albany), who is ranked 22nd at his position, and Ohio State’s strength will come in air defense for the next four to five years.
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WolverineNation roundtable
February, 28, 2013
Feb 28
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By Chantel Jennings, Tom VanHaaren & Michael Rothstein | ESPN.com
Every Thursday, our writers sit down to discuss some Michigan sports. Today, they take a look at the looming NCAA Tournament, Ohio State’s recruiting class and what or whom the Wolverines offense needs to fear in this upcoming season.
1. With less than three weeks until Selection Sunday, what seed to you think the Wolverines eventually pick up? (Editor's note: The answers below were filed before Wednesday night's loss at Penn State)
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Hackenberg, Olsen earn UA Game starts
January, 3, 2013
Jan 3
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By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Black Team offense
Quarterback: Christian Hackenberg (Penn State)Running back: Alvin Kamara
UNDER ARMOUR GAME 2013
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Tight end: O.J. Howard (Alabama)
Offensive tackle: Darius James (Texas), Denver Kirkland
Offensive guard: Grant Hill (Alabama), Joas Aguilar (Texas A&M)
Center: Hunter Bivin (Notre Dame)
Captains: Kelvin Taylor, Hunter Bivin, Robert Nkemdiche, Ben Boulware
Black Team defense
Defensive end: Robert Nkemdiche, Elijah DanielDefensive tackle: Greg Gilgmore (LSU), Kennedy Tulimasealii (Hawaii)
Inside linebacker: Ben Boulware (Clemson)
Outside linebacker: Alex Anzalone (Notre Dame), Matthew Thomas
Safety: Keanu Neal (Florida), Leon McQuay III
Cornerback: Vernon Hargreaves III (Florida), Tarean Folston (Notre Dame)
Black Team special teams
Long snapper: Tyler Kluver (Iowa)Kicker/punter: Sean Covington (UCLA)
White Team offense
Quarterback: Kevin Olsen (Miami)Running back: Keith Ford (Oklahoma)
Receiver: Laquon Treadwell, Ryan Green (Florida State), Jalin Marshall (Ohio State)
Tight end: Hunter Henry (Arkansas)
Offensive tackle: Derwin Gray (Maryland), Dorian Johnson (Pittsburgh)
Offensive guard: Patrick Kugler (Michigan), David Dawson (Michigan)
Center: Scott Quessenberry (UCLA)
White Team defense
Defensive end: Carl Lawson (Auburn), Joey Bosa (Ohio State)Defensive tackle: Henry Poggi (Michigan), Kelsey Griffin (South Carolina)
Inside linebacker: Reuben Foster, Yannick Ngakoue
Outside linebacker: Trey Johnson
Safety: Max Redfield, Antonio Conner
Cornerback: Gareon Conley (Ohio State), Shaq Wiggins (Georgia)
White Team special teams
Long snapper: Brendan TurelliKicker: Ryan Santoso (Minnesota)
Punter: Shane Tripucka
Captains: Ryan Green, Hunter Henry, Patrick Kugler, Reuben Foster
What if ... decommits end up at OSU?
December, 7, 2012
12/07/12
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By
Tom VanHaaren | ESPN.com
With the recruiting season winding down and signing day fast approaching, the big what-if scenario for Michigan has to do with two former commits. There are three spots left in this class due to the fact defensive back Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio/Washington) and offensive lineman David Dawson (Detroit/Cass Tech) wanted to take visits and thus decommitted.
Both are still being recruited by Michigan, since both are still at a position of need. They also are being courted by Ohio State, which means there is a chance the Buckeyes could land both of the former Wolverines commits. So, what if that happened?
The first thing Buckeyes fans would say is that it was payback for Michigan nabbing former Ohio State commit Kyle Kalis in the 2012 class. Aside from that, the Buckeyes would be landing two very good players at positions of need for Michigan.
Both are still being recruited by Michigan, since both are still at a position of need. They also are being courted by Ohio State, which means there is a chance the Buckeyes could land both of the former Wolverines commits. So, what if that happened?
The first thing Buckeyes fans would say is that it was payback for Michigan nabbing former Ohio State commit Kyle Kalis in the 2012 class. Aside from that, the Buckeyes would be landing two very good players at positions of need for Michigan.
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David Dawson postpones OSU visit
December, 5, 2012
12/05/12
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
The big four coming on official visits to Ohio State this weekend is now just three as David Dawson (Detroit/Cass Tech) had to change plans at the last moment.
The top-ranked offensive guard in the Class of 2013 was scheduled to join Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio/Washington), Mike Mitchell (Plano, Texas/Prestonwood Christian) and Donovan Munger (Shaker Heights, Ohio/Shaker Heights) as well as eight Ohio State commits for what looked like a big weekend.
Now, Dawson will have to find an open date that works with the Buckeyes.
The top-ranked offensive guard in the Class of 2013 was scheduled to join Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio/Washington), Mike Mitchell (Plano, Texas/Prestonwood Christian) and Donovan Munger (Shaker Heights, Ohio/Shaker Heights) as well as eight Ohio State commits for what looked like a big weekend.
Now, Dawson will have to find an open date that works with the Buckeyes.
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#BlueChipBattles: Nov. 30
November, 30, 2012
11/30/12
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By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
ESPN.comCarl Lawson, Dee Linerand Reuben Foster are still committed to Auburn, but the Tigers' coaching situation could change things for the three ESPN 150 recruits.Auburn bid farewell to head coach Gene Chizik on Sunday. Could the Tigers also be saying goodbye to a trio of ESPN 150 recruits who could take their talents elsewhere?
Each week, RecruitingNation summons its writers from around the country to compile a list of the top 10 battles for elite football recruits leading up to February's signing day.
Here are this week's top battles
, and you can take a shot at ranking the top 10 recruiting battles on SportsNation.Gareon Conley schedules 2 official visits
November, 30, 2012
11/30/12
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Urban Meyer wasted little time in targeting one of the biggest free agents in the 2013 class.
Meyer visited ESPN 150 cornerback Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio/Washington) at his school and then finished up with an in-home visit. It was a visit Tigers coach Jason Hall said went off without a hitch.
“It went great. I think it was a chance for Gareon to be around Coach Meyer,” Hall said. “It was a good chance for Gareon to ask a lot of questions. Coach Meyer is a great coach, great person. It was good for him to be around our building. He did a home visit last night as well.”
Meyer visited ESPN 150 cornerback Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio/Washington) at his school and then finished up with an in-home visit. It was a visit Tigers coach Jason Hall said went off without a hitch.
“It went great. I think it was a chance for Gareon to be around Coach Meyer,” Hall said. “It was a good chance for Gareon to ask a lot of questions. Coach Meyer is a great coach, great person. It was good for him to be around our building. He did a home visit last night as well.”
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The Weekly Update at WolverineNation is a sneak peek inside Michigan recruiting.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Michigan is still pursuing an offensive lineman for this class and it looks like the main targets right now are Kenny Lacy (Phoenix/Mountain Pointe), Cameron Hunt (Corona, Calif./Centennial) and Na'ty Rodgers (Pomfret, Md./McDonough).
OFFENSIVE LINE
Michigan is still pursuing an offensive lineman for this class and it looks like the main targets right now are Kenny Lacy (Phoenix/Mountain Pointe), Cameron Hunt (Corona, Calif./Centennial) and Na'ty Rodgers (Pomfret, Md./McDonough).
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Michigan has lost the commitment of defensive back Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio/Washington), the No. 9 ranked cornerback prospect in the 2013 class. With 22 commitments for Michigan, there are roughly three spots open in this class.
The Wolverines have a few main targets out there, and a few prospects who could find themselves with a Michigan offer depending on how things play out.
Running back Derrick Green (Richmond, Va./Hermitage) is still a main target and has an in-home visit with Michigan running backs coach Fred Jackson and defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery on Tuesday night. Green has seen two schools in his top list, Auburn and Tennessee, fire their head coaches, which can't hurt Michigan. The coaching staff has also reached out to former target and current USC commit Ty Isaac (Joliet, Ill./Joliet Catholic), who also could be getting an in-home visit from the coaching staff.
The Wolverines have a few main targets out there, and a few prospects who could find themselves with a Michigan offer depending on how things play out.
Running back Derrick Green (Richmond, Va./Hermitage) is still a main target and has an in-home visit with Michigan running backs coach Fred Jackson and defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery on Tuesday night. Green has seen two schools in his top list, Auburn and Tennessee, fire their head coaches, which can't hurt Michigan. The coaching staff has also reached out to former target and current USC commit Ty Isaac (Joliet, Ill./Joliet Catholic), who also could be getting an in-home visit from the coaching staff.
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Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio/Washington), the No. 9 cornerback in the 2013 class, has decommitted from Michigan. Conley had been contemplating taking visits to other schools, which goes against Michigan's no-visit policy for its commitments.
The ESPN 150 prospect took a visit to Ohio State unofficially on Saturday when the Buckeyes took on the Wolverines and has decided to decommit.
"Coach [Greg] Mattison was at my school today and we told him [I was decommitting]," said Conley, the No. 2 player in Ohio. "I felt like I did it too early and didn't wait to see what else would come. I like Michigan, but I like other schools too, and I want to visit them."
The ESPN 150 prospect took a visit to Ohio State unofficially on Saturday when the Buckeyes took on the Wolverines and has decided to decommit.
"Coach [Greg] Mattison was at my school today and we told him [I was decommitting]," said Conley, the No. 2 player in Ohio. "I felt like I did it too early and didn't wait to see what else would come. I like Michigan, but I like other schools too, and I want to visit them."
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Gareon Conley on visits: 'I'm going to do it'
November, 11, 2012
11/11/12
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Visits to other schools and Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio/Washington) appear to be getting closer to reality as the Michigan commit has not backed off talk about doing the one thing Wolverines coach Brady Hoke considers taboo.
The feeling in Ann Arbor, Mich., is if a commit takes a visit elsewhere, he’s no longer a Michigan man.
Two weeks ago, Conley said he might take visits to Ohio State and Oregon. The Buckeyes are recruiting the ESPN 150 cornerback as an athlete. The Ducks have shown serious interest.
The feeling in Ann Arbor, Mich., is if a commit takes a visit elsewhere, he’s no longer a Michigan man.
Two weeks ago, Conley said he might take visits to Ohio State and Oregon. The Buckeyes are recruiting the ESPN 150 cornerback as an athlete. The Ducks have shown serious interest.
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The Weekly Update at WolverineNation is a sneak peek inside Michigan recruiting.
On to the update: GAREON CONLEY
There has been a lot of talk about Michigan commit Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio/Washington) as he recently said that he wants to take visits to Oregon and Ohio State. Conley has been in contact with the Michigan coaches and understands the ramifications of taking visits.
On to the update: GAREON CONLEY
There has been a lot of talk about Michigan commit Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio/Washington) as he recently said that he wants to take visits to Oregon and Ohio State. Conley has been in contact with the Michigan coaches and understands the ramifications of taking visits.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
The Weekly Update at WolverineNation is a sneak peek inside Michigan recruiting.
On to the update:
LEON MCQUAY III
On to the update:
LEON MCQUAY III
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#BlueChip Battles: Oct. 26
October, 26, 2012
10/26/12
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By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Pitt doesn't want WR Robert Foster to leave the Keystone State and USC hopes to keep CB Max Redfield in Cali. The local programs' bid to keep those two stars in-state highlights this week's #BlueChipBattles .
#BlueChipBattles is the Twitter hashtag to use if you want to voice your opinion on our list or to view other fans' reactions as the commitments begin to roll in. Get recruiting updates on the players above as well as the nation's other top football prospects here: @RecruitingESPN.
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#BlueChipBattles is the Twitter hashtag to use if you want to voice your opinion on our list or to view other fans' reactions as the commitments begin to roll in. Get recruiting updates on the players above as well as the nation's other top football prospects here: @RecruitingESPN.
ESPN 150 Gareon Conley nabs OSU offer
October, 21, 2012
10/21/12
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By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
The Ohio State-Michigan game sits a little over a month away, but the Buckeyes stoked the fire just a little bit when they offered Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio/Washington).
The ESPN 150 cornerback -- he’s ranked 61st in the nation and ninth at his position -- has been a Wolverines commit since March 10, but that didn’t stop Ohio State from offering.
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ABOUT WOLVERINE NATION
Michael Rothstein
Michael Rothstein joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Michigan for AnnArbor.com, Notre Dame for the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Journal Gazette and a host of colleges for the Daily News-Record (Harrisonburg, Va.). A Syracuse graduate and an East Meadow, N.Y., native, he lives in Ann Arbor, Mich. He can be reached at michaelrothsteinespn@gmail.com.
Tom VanHaaren
Tom VanHaaren joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Michigan for three years at MGoBlog.com. VanHaaren and his wife currently reside in Royal Oak, Mich. He can be reached at TomVHESPN@gmail.com.
Chantel Jennings
Chantel Jennings joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering University of Michigan athletics for three years at The Michigan Daily. Chantel graduated from the University of Michigan with degrees in English and Spanish and lives in Ann Arbor. She can be reached at jenningsespn@gmail.com.