Gillespie's work ethic improving
Gillespie's work ethic improving

By Ryan Aber

Published: August 23, 2007

JENKS — Jenks coach Allan Trimble has coached plenty of good players.

He's coached a ton of players who have gone on to high success at major colleges.

So for Trimble to speak as highly as he does of Tony Gillespie is saying something.

"He's got as much talent as anybody I've ever coached,” Trimble said. "There's no question about that.

"It's just up to him how much he wants to use it.”

The 6-foot-1, 310-pound defensive tackle can be on-again, off-again with his effort, some say.

When he's on, though, Gillespie can be the most dominating defensive player in the state.

"It's intimidating, looking over there and seeing him,” Mustang quarterback Josh West said. "He's huge.”

Now a senior, Gillespie has set out to improve his work ethic.

"Since we've started practice, he's been perfect,” Trimble said. "He's been showing up on time, putting in all the work and been working on his classroom.”

He's also stepping into the role as a leader on the Trojans' defense, a role previously occupied by now-departed Tim Dial, Jake Laptad and Tanner Shuck.

"I've had to work on being more vocal,” Gillespie said. "I'm usually just a show-and tell-type guy.”

Gillespie has drawn plenty of attention from colleges across the country.

He's received offers from Arkansas, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State and Tulsa, and many other schools have shown interest.

At one point in the recruiting process, Gillespie orally committed to Oklahoma State, only to reopen his recruitment shortly thereafter.

"I really don't know when I'm going to make a decision,” he said. "I just know it's going to be before the season is over.

"It's not fun anymore. It was fun until now, but it's becoming overwhelming.”

Throughout his recruiting process, Gillespie has stayed in touch with some of his old Jenks teammates, including Dial, who's now a freshman at Arkansas, one of the schools heavily involved in his recruiting.

"They just tell me to go where I think's best,” Gillespie said. "They'll joke with me or whatever to try to get me to where they are, but in the end they want me to do what's best for me.”

Your thoughts!