Catching Up With The Signees: Ja'Qurious Conley
Ja'Qurious Conley is coming off an impressive prep career at Northside High School in Jacksonville, NC.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder was invited to the All-American Bowl following his senior season and was named one of four finalists for the All-American Bowl Defensive Player of the Year. Conley is a 4-star signee and member of the Rivals250, as he checks in at No. 201. He’s also rated the No. 15 safety in the country and the No. 9 overall prospect in the state of North Carolina.
Conley received over 15 offers from schools across the country before committing to UNC Coach Mack Brown and the Tar Heels on Aug. 15, 2019 and signing his letter of intent in December.
THI caught up with the No. 201 overall player in the 2020 class to discuss the changes in his life since the COVID-19 pandemic and to look ahead to when he finally arrives in Chapel Hill:
THI: How have things been going with you and your family during the coronavirus shutdown? Is everyone healthy and okay?
CONLEY: “Things have been good. We are a very active family so it started off okay, but once we took time to spend that family time together, it became something greater than just a shutdown. And yes, everyone is healthy.”
THI: How much working out are you able to do and what have you been focusing on?
CONLEY: “Me along with a very motivated group workout every morning from 8:30 to around 10:30, depending on what part of the body we’re working. We’re mainly lifting and haven’t been on the field in almost a week. I’m making sure my body will be able to take physical contact in college ball.”
THI: How often are you in contact with UNC coaches and are they monitoring your progress or anything like that?
CONLEY: “Not too often, but (defensive coordinator) coach (Jay) Bateman checks in on me here and there. But, I don’t take it personally. I’m not a social guy, the coaches know that. I’d rather know their families are safe and healthy than have a long conversation about football.”
THI: What is your height and weight now and what weight do you plan on being when you eventually arrive in Chapel Hill?
CONLEY: “I’m 6-foot-2, 200 pounds. I want to be at least 205 when I arrive.”
THI: The players that don't enroll in January usually do so in June for summer school, but on-campus classes for the summer have been cancelled. Are you still going to enroll online and at least get your course work started or is that something you and the coaches are still trying to figure out?
CONLEY: “It’s something we are trying to figure out. But once that option is granted to me, I will start signing up for classes.”
THI: If things return to normal this summer, do you have any special plans or things you want to do before enrolling at UNC?
CONLEY: “I planned a trip to Universal Studios for me and my girlfriend during spring break. But obviously that got cancelled, so I’d like it if I got enough time to do that with her. Also, I’d like to do something with my little sister because I know she’ll miss me."