Connor Hughes: A Kicker Among Kickers
Connor Hughes has a FG accuracy rate of 84%
D'Brickashaw Ferguson is not the only top prospect to be coming out of Virginia this year. Connor Hughes has made a splash as the best kicker in the field. His accuracy is as unparalleled as his integrity and personality. Here is a chance to get an exclusive look into the mind of the best kicker in this year's draft class.
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Q: What is your favorite aspect of the game of football?
A: My favorite aspect of the game of football is that it is the great team game. You have to rely so much on your teammates to win. All of the other sports, if you have a couple great players, you can win.
Q: What facet of your game is most NFL-ready?
A: The part of my game that is most NFL-ready has to be field goals. I feel just as comfortable with them as I did in college. My kickoffs have gotten a lot better and will continue to get better, and that is the most exciting part of this process for me.
Q: Emotional, Physical, or Mental Challenges: Which excites you the most about the NFL? Why?
A: I am ready mentally. I can credit my faith in Jesus Christ most for that. I know that though I may fail every now and then, that doesn't define me as a person. I know that I am a good kicker, and I just have to believe in myself even if things go bad.
Q: What are you going to miss most about college?
A: I am going to miss a lot about college. I think, most of all, (I will miss) just being so near to so many friends. Whatever city I end up in, I don’t think I will ever have so many good friends as I have here.
Q: Growing up, what NFL player made you most want to become a professional player?
A: Growing up I never had any NFL athlete that inspired me that much. I was a huge Michael Jordan fan, and I still have like over 200 of his cards. The most motivating reason for being a professional since I was little was everyone saying how hard it was and that nobody would ever do it. My parents were always really supportive though.
Q: Who was your favorite player in the Tecmo Super Bowl?
A: My favorite player in Tecmo Bowl was Bo Jackson. Him and Marcus Allen were tough to stop.
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On April 30th, I am sure we will all be counting down the picks until Connor is drafted. As the top kicker in the field, we can certainly expect his name to be called sometime into Day Two. Don't be surprised if he is paired up with our own Dave Rayner in Indianapolis. Without Vinatieri, they need a place kicker, and -as a sniper at Field Goals- Connor Hughes would be a perfect fit.