Jack O'Connor '16 Recruiting Profile

In the summer of 2014, I decided that I would try-out for the football team rather than continue playing competitive soccer, which I had been playing since the age of three. This was a huge departure, especially for my parents but the support was there nonetheless. I attended one camp that summer to learn the proper technique and I have never looked back.

There are 3 attributes that I believe have contributed to my success as a student-athlete and that set me apart from other Kickers and Punters that are equally as skilled:

• Coachability

I have played on many teams over the last 14 years most of which were competitive teams but I always participated in the town “recreation” programs as well … 3 – 4 teams per season. I believe the relationships I have had with my coaches is one of mutual respect. Joining the football team, as a Junior, put me in a situation that was completely foreign to me. My ability to listen and execute specific requests of my coaches, such as pinning a punt inside the goal line and the 10 yard line, left or right have served me well. I trust my coaches to develop my abilities and to help me be the best I can be.

• Executing Under Pressure

Being a kicker is like being a surgeon, perfection is the goal as there is no room for error. Yet in both professions there are circumstances where things don’t go as planned…for kickers a bad kick, a block, a bad snap,  are all good examples of things that could go wrong that can change the outcome of a game in a matter of seconds. The key is how does one respond to adversity. I have been able to demonstrate my ability to quickly respond and take corrective action in times of trouble. I have a competitive spirit, quick reactions and a sense of responsibility to my teammates to give 110% all of the time. I believe having played other sports at the varsity level, lacrosse in my case, has helped me to hone quick reaction skills.

• Focus

Much like all athletes, I too experience healthy nerves prior to game time. However, once I set foot on the field my nerves settle and I have razor-like focus on the job at hand. I am passionate about the game, I am driven by the challenge and I am determined to achieve success. I believe my confidence and focus comes from years of competing and a self motivation that is found in doing something that I truly love.