The path to greatness is never the same for anyone.  Some will find it comes easy while others can recount each step in the process to achieve the goals set forth.  For Will Connery and Simon Fraser the paths couldn’t have been more different.  That’s why on Saturday each was enjoying the friendship they’ve built over the years and doing what every former Buckeye has been taught in “Paying Forward”.

The weather was great as the 2007 edition of the Big Skills Camp took to the practice fields of Miamisburg High School.  With 124 offensive and defensive linemen taking part in the camp ran by Miamisburg Head Coach Zach Cline, the event continues to see great growth as players receive great instruction by top Miami Valley area coaches and several current or former college players.

Coy Bacon, Will Connery, Coach Cline, Simon Fraser

Each year the camp has seen some great speakers take part in the one day event and Saturday was no different as three special guests gave back to the many young student athletes in attendance.

Headline speaker for this year’s camp was former 14-year NFL veteran Coy Bacon who played in three Pro Bowls during his career with San Diego, Washington and Cincinnati.  Bacon was a sack artist before the NFL officially recognized the stat when he recorded an NFL high of 26 for the Bengals during the 1976 season. 

Coaches and Speakers Group Photo

The second scheduled speaker for the day was Will Connery who was a member of the 1993 Big Ten Champions Buckeyes and who participated in four New Years’ Day Bowl Games and won a Varsity “O” during his tenure.

Connery earned the scars on his legs and arms the hard way as a walk-on member of the football program.  During his speech he talked about the time people told him he’d never live his dream of being a member of the Buckeyes program.  He proved them wrong by being a member and earning a Varsity “O” letter in 1995. 

Holding a degree from Ohio State in education with a concentration in sports management, Connery works today for Max Sports in Columbus helping other athletes achieve their goals.

Making the trip with Will was former Buckeye and current Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Simon Fraser.  Fraser didn’t have the hard road to being a Buckeye taken by his friend Connery.  The highly recruited Frazer was a full scholarship player at Ohio State and earned four Varsity “O” letters during his career.

But while his college career may have taken the easy road his dreams of being a member of an NFL team was a lot like Connery’s college career.  Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cleveland Browns in April of 2005, Fraser has played in 32 games starting 5 as he enters his third season.

Fraser gave the athletes in attendance some much needed advice as they enter their high school season.  “Enjoy the friendships you build in high school.  Even with my career taking me to the NFL, I still have a special bond with the guys I played with in high school.”

Before Will and Simon left the camp Scout.com spoke with the pair about several subjects in this special video interview for our premium members.

Connery / Fraser Interview: Watch Video