Erik Ruby
ASU Student Journalist

A deep dive into the mind of Chandler quarterback Jacob Conover

November 29, 2018 by Erik Ruby, Arizona State University


Conover surveys the field during a game this season. (Photo by Shannon Liebrock/Chandler High School)

It’s rare to find a 4-star prospect like Chandler’s Jacob Conover on the field, but it’s even rarer to find someone like Conover off the field.

The 18-year-old Brigham Young commit finds solidarity not only in football but in faith.

Conover, a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is going to put his college career on hold because of his faith.

After his senior year, instead of heading to college, he will be going on his mission, a common practice in which young member travels away from home and serves the church for anywhere from 18 months to two years.

Conover will be traveling to Asunción, Paraguay for his mission on Feb. 12 of 2019.

To most outsiders the decision to put a career in football on hold seems ill-advised. Conover knows that.

“You’ve got people who say, ‘What are you doing?’ They don’t understand what a mission is and why are you making this sacrifice,” Conover said.

Some even say he is wasting two years of his life.

Conover is a killer on the gridiron and most recently was named Premier Region Offensive Player of the Year. He averaged 240 passing yards and totaled 3100 yards and 37 touchdowns for the season.

He has the ability to go straight to college and have an impact immediately. So why doesn't he?

The decision wasn’t black and white. Many other enticing opportunities and offers were on Conover’s plate.

After sorting through offers from schools like Alabama and Arizona, Conover’s final decision came down to Arizona State University and Brigham Young University.

“Through prayer and faith and really considering what I should do it came down to I know I’m supposed to go on my mission and then go to BYU,” Conover said. “I knew it was going to be the right decision for me”

It wasn’t a decision he faced alone.

Conover's faith has been built up not only by personal experiences, but through his family.

“My dad and my grandparents have been my foundation for faith and their experiences on when they've gone on their mission and they've let me go independently and let me roam free and have my own experiences as well,” Conover said. “They are just a soundboard for whatever I need help with.”

According to his father, Jeff Conover, the decision to have his son choose for himself and “roam free” instead of forcing him to do anything was an easy one.

“We’ve talked about it a lot and he knows my opinion but it's his decision at the end of the day,” Jeff Conover said. “I think anything big needs to be your decision cause when you face adversity and it's your decision you can stand up with your shoulders back and face it and get through it versus if it's someone else's decision you can fold in the face of really tough adversity.”

Jeff has always supported Jacob’s football dreams, even telling him at a young age, “I’ll match your effort with opportunity, if we can afford it we’ll do it. If we can’t we’ll make it or I’ll coach it myself.”

But for Jeff and Jacob, football has never been the No. 1 priority.

“Faith has always been there,” Jeff said. “Football is a game at the end of the day and the kind of person you are is really what's important when all this stuff settles down and you hang up your cleats.”

Jacob echoed the same message.

“I want to be remembered for the person I was not for the athlete I was. There's always going to be the day where you hang up the cleats, but what are people going to remember you by? Are they going to remember you by what you left on the field or the person you were? And you have a lot more opportunities to make a mark on people's lives off the field.”

Ask Jacob’s coaches, and they’ll tell you he will be remembered for more than his football exploits.

“He’s a very well-rounded young man he's not just a football player, he's a great student, a great brother and a great son,” Chandler’s Offensive Coordinator and Quarterback Coach Rick Garretson said. “I couldn't ask for a better player, I couldn't ask for a better young man and he’s just a pleasure to deal with every day.”

Head Coach Shaun Aguano sees Jacob’s faith translate into the game.

“There's no question, his dedication to what he's doing, his faith and belief in himself totally translates to the field,” Aguano said. “His leadership skills are based upon his strength of faith and everything his family has instilled in him.”

Even though the decision to go on mission means Jacob’s football career will be put on hold, it does not mean it’s over.

When he returns from his two-year hiatus, he will be playing at BYU. One of the main questions asked by people who doubt he should go on his mission is how he is going to stay in shape and if he will be ready to play when he gets back.

But the Conovers aren’t worried about that.

“I'm definitely going to work out and maintain my physical physique and stay that mental course but ultimately I'm not going on a mission so I can focus football, there's a reason I’m going on a mission,” Jacob said. “I’m just going to focus on what I’m supposed to do, but of course have football in the back of my mind.”

His father said that a break is not the end of the world.

“People have stepped away from football and come back, whether it’s for religion or if it's for military or other things and have been just fine. This is a game at the end of the day,” Jeff said

According to the Salt Lake Tribune, some notable current NFL players who have gone on missions include John Denny, Tony Bergstrom, Xavier Su’a-Filo and many more.

And for Jacob, making it to the NFL is the dream. If he can attain that goal, he feels his decision to go on his mission could impact players in his same position.

“We weren’t put on this Earth for ourselves. We were put here for others...By going on a mission and putting away two years of football people are going to see that and think, ‘If he can do that so can I.’”

Jacob still has one more challenge ahead of him, winning his third straight state championship.

The Wolves, ranked No. 1 in the state, face off against the Perry Pumas Saturday seeking second state title in as many years.

It’s Jacob’s final hoorah.

“It’s got a special place in my heart, it's your senior year and you have a chance to write history with a three-peat,” Jacob said. “But it's going to be surreal that last game is going to be my last game for two years”

No matter what happens Saturday, feels his impact can reach beyond just playing football.

“I think people put athletes on this pedestal, ‘They're just athletes’ but, no, these are people too. I think athletes can look at it as we can help change the world because people view us as leaders and when people wrap their mind around that we can do amazing things.”