Class 2012: Chivon Gallagher Set to Join the College Ranks (Video)

CFC examines one of Ontario’s top running backs of the 2012 class, Chivon Gallagher. Chivon will be attending university this fall, and will look to continue his football career as an undergraduate.

(Picture courtesy: Ryan Pfeiffer, Metro Land Corp.)

Chivon Gallagher

Class:
2012

Position:
Running Back, Slot Back, Defensive Back, Linebacker, Kick Returner, Punter

Height/Weight:
5’7, 170 lbs

Commitment:
None

Consideration:
All NCAA

Teams:
Scarborough Thunder (OVFL)
Donald A Wilson Gators (high school)

(Picture Courtesy: Ryan Pfeiffer, Metro Land Corp.)

Chivon Gallagher first suited up for the Scarborough Thunder at age nine, when his uncle persuaded his mother to allow him to cut his teeth on the gridiron. Originally a basketball enthusiast, Gallagher quickly found success off the court, on the field, and has amassed an impressive cache of honours with the Thunder, as well as with his high school squad, the Donald A Wilson Gators.

Gallagher has been named team, league offensive, and league defensive MVP with the Thunder, and helped his OVFL troop win a Provincial title this year. On the secondary school circuit, Gallagher was recently named the LOSSA League MVP, and led the Gators to a Metro Bowl victory. He was named Metro Bowl MVP for his performance in the game.

Winning two league championships provides Gallagher with a considerable measure of momentum as he looks to take the next step in his career. But while the prospect is certainly hopeful that the momentum translates to the next level, he has taken the time to appreciate the year for what it was.

“The most memorable football experience for me is being a part of two championships, and winning something important for my coaches, friends, and community,” states Gallagher.

Gallagher hopes to find a roster spot with an NCAA team next season, though exactly where is not something he has sorted out as of yet.

At 5’7, 170 lbs, Gallagher’s size poses a unique set of challenges for him to overcome, as competition ages and grows. Though it may be assumed that the small ’back has to rely on speed and quickness, characterizing his game as such is an oversimplification; Gallagher does possess great speed and dangerous quickness, but it’s his well rounded superior athleticism that sets the prospect apart.

Gallagher combines stunning agility, which he uses to create separation in traffic, with deceptive power, which allows him to bowl defenders over if cornered. He is a capable receiver in the backfield or the slot, and a threat to turn short tosses into massive gains by racking up the yards after catch. The prospect also owns a spin move that will make viewers of the video provided below blush. Check it out.

Though it is not as if the video is insufficient proof that Gallagher has the tools to overcome his diminutive stature, anyone unconvinced can simply turn to historical precedence; see Jones-Drew, Maurice, and Sproles, Darren. These two NFL runners have carved out niches for themselves at the highest level, and their success has inspired Gallagher.

“I try to model myself after [Maurice] Jones-Drew and Darren Sproles. I try to use my speed and cuts to get away from people like Sproles, and when I need a yard or two I try to be like Jones-Drew and plough forward and lower the boom before someone else does.”

Gallagher is also inspired by his brother Kevin, who passed away when Chivon was 12. “Since that moment,” he recalls, “I took the number 23 to remind myself of what I lost and why I play every day.”

Chivon also draws inspiration from his family and friends, as well as his coaches. “Without these three [groups of people], I would not push myself as hard as I can. With every step on the field I remind myself why I play and who I play for; not myself, but the people beside me and the people who support me.”

The support of others has been meaningful to Gallagher, and he hopes to influence others in a way similar to how he himself has been influenced. “While attending university,” he notes, “I hope to study something where I can be involved with children and help them achieve their goals.”