Bucknell University Athletics
Conover glad he crossed Bucknell line
10/19/2005 8:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 19, 2005
By Jim Fenton
ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER
One year into his football career at Bucknell University, Sean Conover found himself on the move.The 2002 Whitman-Hanson Regional High graduate had been recruited to play tight end for the Bison, but Conover was asked to change positions prior to his sophomore season.
The offensive system implemented by new head coach Tim Landis put little emphasis on the tight end spot, so Conover was shifted to defensive end where he could fill a hole caused by graduation.
"Everyone had recruited me as a tight end and, originally, that's all I wanted to do,'' said Conover. "I wasn't even thinking about defense when I came here. At first, I wasn't too excited (about the change).''
Now, after 21/2 seasons on the other side of the ball, Conover is thrilled the move was made.
The 21-year-old economics major at the Lewisburg, Pa., school has developed into one of the nation's top Div. 1-AA linemen.
After being named the Patriot League defensive player of the year as a junior in 2004 and earning second-team All-America honors, Conover is being watched closely by NFL scouts during his senior season.
"You always hope when you make moves that they work,'' said Landis. "I have to admit, I didn't think this one would end up quite this well. I've been doing this for 16 years. You move guys around and hope it works out and it's 50-50. With Sean, it's worked out real, real well.''
The Whitman resident tied for the league lead with 101/2 sacks last season, the fourth-highest total ever at Bucknell. Conover has 17 career sacks and 29 tackles for a loss of yardage, and he bears watching by offenses from start to finish.
"Honestly, I didn't think it would turn out this good,'' said Conover, who was a basketball standout at W-H. "But I knew I'd be able to play well on either side of the ball. I played both positions in high school and I enjoyed them.''
Conover appeared in two games on special teams as a freshman and caught five passes for the junior varsity team.
Landis was hired in December 2002, and when spring practice opened in 2003, he took a look at Conover on defense and liked what he saw.
Conover started all 12 games as a sophomore, making 43 tackles and leading the Bison with four sacks and three forced fumbles. Conover also won the Tom Gadd Coaches' Award for his commitment to Bucknell football.
That solid sophomore season set the stage for a sensational junior year in which Conover became one of the nation's best linemen.
He received All-America recognition from The Associated Press and The Sports Network and had 18 tackles for a loss of 110 yards with 55 tackles overall. Conover led the Patriot League with five forced fumbles and had back-to-back three-sack games against Lehigh and Holy Cross.
"I was playing with a great defense,'' said Conover. "Everything just kind of fell into place and it was a great year for all of us.
"In the offseason, I worked out hard. I took care of my body, did all the things that needed to be done to perform at a high level. I really put in the work. I started off slow stat-wise, but then my numbers really started to go up."
The 6-foot-5 Conover, who went from weighing 230 pounds as a freshman to 270 pounds now, uses his athleticism to make it difficult to block him.
"He's got speed and he's really athletic for that position,'' said Landis. "He comes off the football very well. He's a high-energy guy. Every play, he gets after it. He doesn't take any plays off.
"You're going to get his best each time out. Guys may take a play off here or there, but he's there every single play, and when you do that, you're going to make some big plays.''
Conover had to build up his body once the position switch was made, and it was a gradual process to get him where he is now.
There was also the matter of learning the ins and outs of the position after being a tight end in 2002, but it has all come together for Conover.
"Just playing against the big offensive linemen is completely different than in high school when I played defensive end,'' he said. "The game is completely different. It was kind of a shock that first game, but you get used to it.
"I knew I had a lot to improve on after my first year, and I knew I had to get bigger and faster. It took a lot of work in the weight room and a lot of eating.
"I just try to work as hard as I can. My work ethic really helps me. I start in the offseason and I try to put everything I've got into it.''
After all that Conover accomplished in 2004, he is receiving special attention this fall.
Teams playing Bucknell, which is struggling at 1-5 heading into Saturday's game against Lehigh, are trying to stay away from Conover as much as possible. He has made 27 tackles, including five for a loss of 15 yards with 21/2 sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery.
"He does get a lot of attention,'' said Landis. "They know where he is. There's a lot of shotgun, three-step passing against us to get rid of the football quick. They don't want to sit back and allow him and the other guys to get in.''
Said Conover, "There have been a few games where I've noticed the tight end was on me or a back. It just frees up other guys to make plays and eventually that will free me up.''
Conover has five games remaining in his Bucknell career, and a possible shot at trying to land in the NFL could follow.
"Every NFL team has had a scout in here since August,'' said Landis. "Now, a lot of cross checkers are coming to watch, and that's always a good sign. I think he definitely has a chance to play at the next level. I think he'll get that opportunity, whether it's as a free agent or in the draft.''
Conover said he will worry about that when the time comes, though the NFL has always been something he has thought about since he began playing Pop Warner football in Whitman.
"It's definitely been a dream,'' he said. "I've had quite a few teams looking at me, but I'm just trying to focus on the season right now, and after that, it'd be great.''
