From the Diamond to the Gridiron: Oregon State's Greg Laybourn Gets the Job Done

Growing up immersed in athletics, children often dream of game-winning shots, walk-off homers, and last second Hail Marys.

Whether or not we admit it, we all did it: counting down 3...2...1 while simultaneously heaving whichever Spalding product towards the end zone or basket and screaming EHHH (buzzer). 

Afterwards, we'd run and sing the Queen smash hit "We Are the Champions" but change the lyrics to "I Am the Champion!"

It's a lifelong goal for kids to make a high school varsity team, but for many, the end of a senior season marks the end of their athletic careers. 

For a selected few, the chance to leave home and play collegiate athletics is a dream come true.

After transferring from Northern Arizona where he lettered as a safety his freshman year, Greg Laybourn returned to the Pacific Northwest and joined what would later be the 2006 College World Series Champion Beaver baseball team.

For Laybourn, it was a dream come true, I'm sure, to hoist up the NCAA Championship Plaque with his fellow Beaver teammates under the bright lights in Omaha.

The spotlight is nothing new to the Beaverton native.  Laybourn lettered four years in football and three years in basketball and baseball for the Beaverton Beavers. 

The football honors Greg received include First Team All-State Defensive Back and Second Team All-State Quarterback as a senior. 

Laybourn was also named Metro League Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year.

With such high accolades in football and being from Oregon, Coach Riley took interest in Laybourn. Now the once NCAA Baseball National Champion has Emerald Bowl and Sun Bowl victories to add to his list of athletic achievements.

With the 2008 season only half over and momentum seemingly swinging OSU's direction, another trophy/achievement could very well be added to the list if OSU can make a bowl and emerge victorious.

Buried in the depth chart his junior season, Laybourn fought hard to get better and impress the coaching staff.

Entering the 2008 season, Oregon State lost starting senior safety Bryan Payton for undisclosed reasons.  Without hesitation, Laybourn jumped into the mix and won the starting job with relative ease.

Beaver Nation was concerned about the drop-off in production with the departure of a solid senior starter in the secondary. 

However, Laybourn has been up to the challenge, creating big plays and becoming a stalwart in the run game.

At 5'10", 208 pounds he may not look like much, but halfway through the 2008 season, his statistics and style of play say otherwise.

Laybourn leads the team in tackles with 50 (21 solo) and leads the team in interceptions (two). The senior has also recovered two fumbles, accounting for four of the Beavers' 10 takeaways.

What Laybourn's predecessor (Payton) may best be known for is his 2006 end zone interception of USC QB John David Booty. 

Payton intercepted what would have been a game-tying score and returned the ball to midfield—a play that went a long way in the thrilling victory over then-No. 3 USC.

Laybourn will forever be remembered for HIS interception against the former No. 1 USC Trojans.

Greg floated in coverage and returned the overthrown Mark Sanchez pass to the two-yard line in the waning minutes to seal one of the biggest upsets in OSU history.

With the number 44 that Laybourn wears, his style of play is similar to a former OSU great who helped lead OSU to a Fiesta Bowl victory on New Year's Day: safety Terrence Carroll.

College football is a game of passion, intensity, and preparation. 

Laybourn has continued the trend of the hard-nosed, get after it Beaver defense. It just goes to show, opportunity and determination breed greatness.