NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Connor Foley, P, UW-Platteville

• Name: Connor Foley

• Height: 6’1

• Weight: 230 lbs

• Position: Punter

• College: UW-Platteville 

• Twitter: @C_Foley34

Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?

•   My hometown is Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It is a city of 120,000 so it’s big enough where there is enough to do but also small enough to get to know a lot of people around the city

List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice?

•  Practice, Strength and Conditioning, then Film Study. I believe practice is most important because getting quality repetitions as a punter will show in a game. I would put strength and conditioning second because you need to be able to have the strength to hit punts that are 50 yards with 5 second hang times. I would put film study third. Assuming this is film on watching myself punt, I don’t want to overthink too many small things at once. A lot of punting is mental and sometimes watching too much film can affect my performance on the field. However, when I have issues punting I will always go back and look at what is going on.

What do you worry about, and why?

•  I would say as a division 3 player, not getting enough exposure to scouts. As a punter, a 60 yard punt in Platteville is the same as a 60 yard punt at Alabama. At Kohls Kicking camps, I have shown I can hold my own and beat guys at the Division 1 level. I believe I’m just as good as them, but at a lower level it is tougher to be seen by NFL scouts.

Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?

•  This past season in the our team’s second game, I had one of my worst games ever. After the game, I waited for the film to come out and I watched my punts from the game. I analyzed the film and I realized a minor technical error in my form so I did drills during the week to correct the error. Two weeks later, I had one of my best games and was named WIAC Conference Player of the Week.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

• Work ethic and attention to detail. As a division 3 football player in Wisconsin, we do not have the luxury of having an indoor facility to practice in. This does not stop me, however, as I often punt outside in December, January and February to make myself a better punter. Repetition breeds perfection so being out there year round is something I have always taken pride in and my teammates have realized that can make them better as well.

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?

• Great punt returners has always been my biggest concern and Christian Almonte from Stevens Point has always been a great returner against my team. 

What would your career be if you couldn’t play football? 

•  Either strength and conditioning coach or physical therapist so I can still be around athletics 

Room, desk, and car – which do you clean first?

•  Car because I am often driving other people places and when I do, it is not good to have a messy car. 

If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why?

• Family member because I am loyal to my family. My family comes before everything else so making sure my family is safe is my number one priority.

If you could be any television or movie character, who would you be and why?

• Rudy Ruettiger because he kept working hard and being persistent when others doubted him and was not given many chances. 

Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it?

•  When I was 12, a good friend of mine passed away who was a big brother figure to me. You never overcome something like that but you just learn to live with it and help others who were affected to make each day better.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

•  During my senior year as I was catching a snap, I caught the ball close to my hip where I was wearing a hand warmer and my finger got caught in the hand warmer which caused me to shank the punt.

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

•  My junior year we were in a close up by 7 and we were forced. I was punting around our own 15-yard line and I knew they were going to come after me. I managed to get the punt off and I ended up hitting a 55-yard punt with no return which flipped the field and virtually sealed the win for us.

What song best describes your work ethic?

•  Cinderella Man by Eminem. Not many people make it to the NFL let alone a Division 3 player. Even though the chances are low, I want to make the most of my opportunities I get. 

What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level? 

•  Persistence. That has always been taught to me from a young age by a poster my parents put on my bedroom wall saying “Persistence is more important than talent.” 

If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?

•  Sam Foltz, punter for Nebraska  who died in a car accident a day after I met him. I punted next to him at a camp the day before and he was very humble and positive. To get to know him for one more day would be great. 

If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it? 

•  I would call it 445. That was the address of the house I lived in and we always had a great time. 

Who is the most overrated player in the NFL? 

• I don’t want to disrespect anyone in the NFL. All of them made their way there so I don’t think any of them should be considered overrated if they made it to the best league in professional football

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

• I would like to be respected because that means people appreciate your values. Being liked just means that you are fun but I would rather provide value to people.

What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?

• James Conner, running back for the Steelers. He was a great player in college when he was diagnosed with cancer. I remember him playing at the University of Pittsburgh knowing he was one of the best. I loved seeing him defeat cancer and now becoming a Pro Bowl running back. 

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

•  Love to win because I love seeing all of my teammates excited afterwards and being in a great mood when going to see my family after the game. After a loss, it’s not as much hate as it is a learning experience. 

Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?

• My parents because they have always pushed me to go above and beyond in everything I do. My mom has influenced me to always have a hard work ethic and both of my parents have always been around for everything going on in my life.