Joey Connors
#91 Defensive Tackle
Central Florida
Ht: 6’2”
Wt: 300 lbs.
Hometown: Powder Springs, Georgia
Born: August 3, 1995
Scouting Report: Quick first step off the ball…has played in multiple defensive fronts including 4-3 and 3-4…strong at point of attack…great motor…smart player and great teammate…high character and strong work ethic.
Career Highlights:
Game Films:
R-SENIOR (2018)
- Played in 13 games, starting 12
- Recorded 32 total tackles tying his career-high, including 17 solo
- Registered 1.5 sacks for a loss of seven yards
- Broke up three passes and recorded four QB hits
- SCSU (9/8): Had three tackles and broke up a pass
- Temple (11/1): Recorded five tackles including 1.5 for a loss of three yards
- Cincinnati (11/17): Recorded a sack for a loss of four yards, blocked a kick, and recovered a fumble
- Memphis (12/1): Registered six tackles and a sack for a loss of three yards • LSU (1/1): Recorded 5 total tackles, 3 solo
JUNIOR (2017)
- Appeared in all 13 games on the defensive line
- Totaled 15 tackles, including 3.5 for loss and two sacks
- Registered one QB hurry and four pass breakups
- FIU (8/31): Tallied one tackle, one QB hurry and two breakups
- at Cincinnati (10/7): Accumulated two tackles, including one for loss
- at Navy (10/21): Recorded two assists and one breakup
- at SMU (11/4): Contributed one unassisted tackle and one breakup
- South Florida (11/24): Registered two tackles, including half a stop for loss
- Memphis (12/2): Notched one sack for a loss of six yards
- vs. Auburn (1/1): Had season-high three tackles in Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
SOPHOMORE (2016)
- Named to 2016-17 American All-Academic Team
- Played in all 13 games on the defensive line
- Had 27 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack
- Recorded four pass break-ups, two quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery
- South Carolina State (9/3): Had two tackles, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble
- Maryland (9/17): Recorded two tackles
- FIU (9/24): Finished with two tackles, one for a loss, one sack and one pass break-up
- Temple (10/15): Had two tackles
- UConn (10/22): Assisted on a TFL and had two total tackles
- Tulane (11/5): Recorded a career-high seven tackles
- Tulsa (11/19): Totaled two tackles, assisted on a tackle for loss and broke up a pass
- vs. Arkansas State (12/17): Had five tackles and assisted on one for a loss at the Cure Bowl
R-FRESHMAN (2015)
- Started three of eight games played at defensive tackle
- Finished first year of action with 11 tackles, one for a loss and one break-up
- Named Defensive Scout Team Player of the Week for the FIU contest
- Tulane (10/3): Totaled three tackles with half a tackle for loss and a break-up in debut
- Cincinnati (10/31): Had two tackles with half a tackle for loss
- USF (11/26): Collected three tackles
FRESHMAN (2014)
- Earned American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team honors
- Scout Team Player of the Week for the Penn State contest
HIGH SCHOOL
- Coached by Matt Dickman at Harrison High School where he was a three-year starter on both offensive and defensive lines, and played special teams as well
- Rated the No. 79 defensive tackle in the nation by 247Sports
- A three-star recruit by ESPN and 247Sports
- Earned the “48 Minute” Award as the only player in Cobb County to play 48 minutes of every game
- Served as a team captain as a senior where he played every spot on the defensive line while calling opponents’ offensive sets for the defense
- Selected to the 2013 all-region and all-county first teams, and was an all-state honorable mention pick
- In 2013, had 66 tackles with 10 tackles for loss, five sacks, six forced fumbles, one recovery, seven hurries, two blocked field goals, one interception and one touchdown
- Finished junior year with 12 sacks and approximately 30 tackles along with two fumble recoveries
- Named all-region honorable mention Georgia 4-AAAAAA in 2012
- Won the 2013 Georgia State Track and Field Championship discus competition
- Won four letters in both football and track and field