Houston Texans cornerback Bradley Roby knows Gareon Conley all too well.
The former Ohio State Buckeye had Conley as his “little brother” in 2013, his final year with the program.
“It’s super cool for me because when I was at Ohio State, he was my little brother,” Roby said. “In your last year at Ohio State you have to get a rookie or a freshman and he has to be your little brother. He goes around with you and stays in the same hotel as you on road games. He was my little brother.”
The Denver Broncos selected Roby in Round 1 of the 2014 NFL Draft. After three seasons following in Roby’s footsteps, Conley also went in the first round to an AFC West club when the Oakland Raiders drafted him in 2017.
Roby was a free agent after 2018, and he signed a one-year deal with Houston. In 2019, the Raiders traded Conley seven weeks in, and the Texans desperately needed cornerback help as injuries ravaged the group, including Roby.
“Fast forward six or seven years, for us to be on the same team is pretty special,” said Roby. “Like I said, secondary is all about that connection you guys have and we have that.”
The Texans are hopeful the Ohio State connection proves to be successful in 2020 with Roby playing the role of a playmaking cornerback while Conley locks down the other side.
“He looks up to me and it’s fun to play with him,” Roby said.”It’s just fun to play with guys that you’re friends with. It doesn’t seem like a job then. It seems like you’re a group that’s out to accomplish big things.”
Roby signed a three-year contract with the Texans in the offseason while Houston declined to pick up Conley’s fifth-year option. Nevertheless, the Texans have big plans for the tandem in 2020.
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