Football is filled with uphill battles; whether it’s fighting an injury, rehabbing from a surgery or clawing your way to the top of the depth chart.
In senior Mike Gallaway’s case, it was fighting his way to the top of the depth chart in 2013.
Gallaway came to Harding in 2010, where he was a walk-on heading into his first camp as a Bison. He spent two years on the bench fighting to improve his status on the depth chart.
“It was a constant grind,” Gallaway said. “I had to maintain a positive mindset and continue pushing forward in my progression as a football player.”
Gallaway said he had to go out to practice every day, compete to get better and hope that everything else would fall into place.
“It was hard at times, but I told myself not to give up,” Gallaway said. “I wanted to play college football and that was my goal.”
Gallaway said the progression toward becoming a better football player consisted of not only a mental aspect, but a physical one too.
“Over those two years I did my best to shape myself for this style of offense,” Gallaway said. “I came in overweight and too heavy to play in the triple option.”
Offensive line coach Kevin Chism said he did not see much at first in Gallaway, other than his hard-work mentality, but Chism said Gallaway’s progression in two short years was amazing.
“Mikey came in as a center, then guard, and now tackle,” Chism said. “He is an invaluable piece to this offensive line.”
Junior Bison lineman Michael Thompson said Gallaway’s improvement has been evident.
“He really came out of nowhere,” Thompson said. “He is a hard working kid and what he turned into is an animal.”
Thompson said Gallaway is the most improved player he has witnessed go through Harding’s program and is impressed with how far he has come since freshman year. Heading into the summer of 2012, Gallaway earned a scholarship for his on-the-field development in spring training earlier that year.
Last season, Gallaway was No. 2 on the depth chart behind senior LJ Tarrant, before an injury promoted Gallaway to the No. 1 spot for the rest of the season.
“I think the biggest benefit of seeing playing time last year was the in-game experience,” Gallaway said. “I was able to get a feel for the speed and intensity it takes to run this offense.”
From a doubted walk-on to a valuable piece of the offense, Gallaway will start as the No. 1 right tackle for the 2013 football season.
