#15 I Justin Gleason

FOOTBALL PROFILE: The Basics

Position: WR/TE/SCB

Year: Senior (Class of 2023)

Height: 6-foot-4

Weight: 208 pounds

2021 Stats: Missed entire season with leg injury

2022 stats (6 games): 24 tackles (24 solo), 3 PD; 6 receptions, 162 YDS, 1 TD; 2 carries, 24 YDS, 1 RuTD

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INTRODUCTION: 5 Quick Questions

Q: Why did you choose your number?

“Last year I didn’t really get to choose, so when it came the day when it was time to hand out jerseys, coach Williams said 15 was available and I was like ‘sure, I’ll take it. It’s a low number.’ I guess I had forgotten, but my mom told me when I got home that my sister wore 15 throughout volleyball, so I just decided to stick with it for a Gleason tradition almost.”

Q: What is your favorite uniform combination?

“I like the black on black. I like the blue accents with it and it just looks really tough.”

Q: Do you have any family connection to the OHS football program or other sports?

“Not in football. But my sister played volleyball and track and field at Owatonna and graduated two years ago. She is on the track team and throwing in college at Dordt (University) down in Iowa. My dad really never played football. I know his friends tried to get him out there for a couple years, but he’s from a small town. I don’t think there was as much opportunity.”

Q: What other sports are you involved in? Also, talk about the success you had last spring on the track and field team.

“So, with track last year, our team had a great year and depth everywhere. We ended up getting first at sections as a team and went to True Team State and got third there. Individually, I came in first place (at the Class AAA track and field competition) in the long jump…I also used to play basketball.”

Q: Memorable phase frequently used by any coach:

“Probably ‘stance, eyes, level.’ The DB coaches say it. You have to stay low. Keep your eyes on their thighs, watch the hips. I sometimes play a little high because I’m pretty tall for a DB and I sometimes look around when I should be focused on the receiver. It helps to remind myself of what the coaches saw.”

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INTERVIEW: Getting to Know JUSTIN GLEASON

Q: A big part of your personal narrative is the injury you sustained that forced you to miss all of your junior season. First, what was the exact injury and what happened? When did it occur?

“Broken tibia. I used to play basketball and it was a summer tournament in July (of 2021) and we went to Wisconsin somewhere for a tournament and it was the end of the game and we were up by 20 and I took a pass on the fast break. Before I could jump, the defender cut me off at full speed. It was knee to knee, something like that…It hurt really bad right away. I didn’t feel any pop or anything like an ACL. I didn’t know what to think, but it was pretty painful right away.”

Q: Before the injury did you feel like your junior year was going to be a big year? Do you know what type of role the coaching staff had in mind for you?

“I felt like I could have pressed for time at receiver, or even defensively at safety because we didn’t have a ton of depth at the strong cornerback position, but (Caleb) Vereide was also really good. But as soon as (the injury) happened, I was upset because I know I could have been on the field. But I think it might have also been somewhat good for me because it was a great learning experience. I could be on the sideline and just watch and learn and take everything in.”

Q: Physically, you have always been taller, but clearly you filled out this offseason. Did you spend extra time in the weight room? Or was it more of a timing thing and you just hit a natural growth spurt?

“Well, I’d like to say it’s all because I worked super hard in the weight room, and I did get in there a lot, especially in the summer. But my genetics do help because I have a broader frame. Along with the weight room stuff, I also did some speed camps. I did some track meets in the summer as well.”

Q: I don’t think a lot of people would look at you and necessarily assume you’re one of the fastest guys on the team, if not the fastest. How has your raw speed helped you on the field?

“My parents were both fast. Usually I was the ‘fast kid’ through elementary school. I think it helped me because at my position on the outside if it’s a deep pass I can usually get past my man.”

Q: Strong cornerback is a unique position. It’s a hybrid between a linebacker and a cornerback. Your skillset makes you a natural fit for the that spot. For those who don’t know a lot about the specific position, what does it entail, and what are your duties?

“You have to cover guys down field and also be in the box to help out in the run. You are constantly changing your keys by going forward or backwards depending on who you are looking at. If they’re in a heavy formation, you’re usually in the box to be in position for a run play. If they’ll spread out, then you’re probably be in coverage. It’s pretty simple with the pre-snap stuff. That’s pretty much it.”

Q: Now that you have been back for a while, how much has the game slowed down for you and what was it like when you got back right away?

“It definitely was a little fast right away at this level. I was coming back from last year and seeing the game again, it was tough right away with the speed and it was tiring. It has slowed down. Starting in film as well. I am starting to be able to predict what the offense if going to do and it all helps. I feel like it’s getting easier every game.”

Q: You are one of the break-out guys on the team and it’s almost like you’re a free agent pickup because you’re first year at the varsity level of your senior year. Have you ever surprised yourself with how well you have played so far?

“I do have high expectations for myself. As a track athlete. I expect to be one of the fastest guys out there. I am also somewhat physical, so I feel like I should be getting in there and making tackles when I need to. It’s cool, though. I didn’t really expect to be one of the leading tacklers at this point in the season, but, yeah, it’s been going well so far.”

Q: What was it like to finally get back out there against Mayo in Week 1?

“I was a little nervous, I’m not going to lie. At first, I didn’t know what to expect. It was first Friday Night Lights, but it was cool. I was very tired. I played a lot on special teams along with defense and offense. But it was fun to play both sides of the ball.”

Q: You scored the team’s the first touchdown of the season well. I don’t think anyone is going to forget that, especially since the pass was tipped off a teammate and went for almost 70 yards. I know it happens fast, but what do you remember seeing on the play?

“We were running two slants on the right side and I saw (teammate Caleb Hullopeter) go for the ball and it looked like it was going a little high, so I was almost ready for it. I saw the ball coming in through his hands and I just grabbed it — it kind of just came right to me and I got into pretty good position, too. And then the cornerback who I long jump against, Carter Holcomb, I think he might have grabbed me slightly and I broke off him. I looked back slightly and saw a cornerback chasing and I just looked straight toward the end zone and kept going. The way it happed it almost looked like it was planned.”