Ohio State cornerback and Massillon High School graduate Gareon Conley has denied allegations he raped a woman, but the accusations became public just two days before the NFL Draft kicked off and cloud his future.
The Oakland Raiders ultimately gambled on Conley by selecting him in the first round (No. 24 overall) on Thursday.
Conley had been projected to become a first-round pick before police began investigating claims made by a 23-year-old woman that he assaulted her April 9 in a Cleveland hotel room and the Raiders were not deterred. No charges have been filed.
In a statement released Wednesday, Conley said the allegations are “completely false” and appeared to be an attempt to ruin his draft experience.
“I am completely confident that as the facts actually come out my name will be cleared,” Conley said in the statement.
Conley, 6 feet and 195 pounds, was a two-year starter at Ohio State. He had two interceptions in 2015 and four in 2016 as a redshirt junior.
Conley, 21, was born in Massillon and also lived in Akron and Canton growing up.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com.