John Conner (American football)

Last updated

John Conner
John Conner (American football).JPG
Conner with the New York Jets in 2011
No. 38, 32, 39
Position: Fullback
Personal information
Born: (1987-06-08) June 8, 1987 (age 37)
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school: Lakota West (West Chester, Ohio)
College: Kentucky
NFL draft: 2010  / round: 5 / pick: 139
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:108
Rushing touchdowns:2
Receptions:12
Receiving yards:84
Receiving touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

John Edward Conner (born June 8, 1987) is an American former professional football player who was a fullback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kentucky Wildcats, earning a 2009 College Football All-America Team selection. One of the best fullback prospects in the 2010 NFL draft, he was selected in the fifth round by the New York Jets. He is nicknamed "the Terminator" because of the name he shares with the main character from the popular movie franchise and because of his aggressive blocking style against defensive players. [1]

Contents

Early life

Conner attended Lakota West High School in West Chester, Ohio, where he was a two-year starter at running back. He rushed for 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 6.3 yards per carry, as a senior. That year, Lakota West gained an 8–3 record and a berth in the state playoffs. Conner was subsequently named first-team All-Greater Miami Conference and honorable-mention All-Southwest Ohio.

Unrecognized as a prospect by the two major recruiting services, Rivals.com and Scout.com , Conner was not offered an athletic scholarship, although he received some recruiting attention from Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Illinois, among others. He eventually chose to walk on with the Kentucky Wildcats.

College career

As a true freshman at Kentucky, Conner appeared in the first three games of the 2005 season on special teams before sustaining a season-ending injury. He received a medical redshirt and retained the year of eligibility.

In his redshirt freshman season, Conner played in all 13 games, starting the first three at fullback. In his sophomore year he also played all 13 games, starting four. He scored four touchdowns and also made two tackles in kick coverage.

By his junior year, Kentucky frequently opened with a fullback in the lineup, giving him 11 starts in 13 games. In a game versus Georgia, Conner set career highs with seven rushes for 26 yards.

Prior to his senior season, Conner was named the "best blocking back" in the Southeastern Conference in the Birmingham News 2009 preseason edition. After a solid performance throughout the season, Conner earned All-American honors by Pro Football Weekly, which places an extra premium on talent and draft value in the selection process. [2]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0 in
(1.83 m)		246 lb
(112 kg)		32 in
(0.81 m)		8+1⁄2 in
(0.22 m)		4.64 s1.56 s2.60 s4.32 s7.15 s35 in
(0.89 m)		9 ft 3 in
(2.82 m)		24 reps
All values from NFL Combine [3] [4]

New York Jets (first stint)

He does all the things that NFL teams ask their fullbacks to do. He blocks. He catches the ball. And when you need him to make a carry in short yardage, he almost always picks up first downs. He's going to have a long career in the league.

— UK offensive head coach Joker Phillips [5]

Considered one of the best fullbacks available in the 2010 NFL draft, Conner was selected in the fifth round (139th overall) by the New York Jets. [6] In 2012, Conner struggled with an MCL sprain and hamstring injury, and was released by the Jets on October 17. [7]

Cincinnati Bengals

Conner was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals on December 15, 2012, after the team placed fullback Chris Pressley on the injured reserve list. Conner was released by the Bengals on August 31, 2013. In an episode of Hard Knocks , Bengals coaches stated that though Conner was the best Fullback on the roster, they were keeping Orson Charles due to his special teams play, even going as far as showing Charles game film of Conner after the decision. [8]

New York Giants

After working out with the Buffalo Bills, Conner was signed to a two-year contract by the New York Giants on September 25, 2013, replacing Henry Hynoski, who suffered a fractured shoulder in Week 3 of the regular season. [9]

New York Jets (second stint)

Conner was re-signed by the New York Jets on September 30, 2014 after fullback Tommy Bohanon suffered a broken collarbone. [10]

Buffalo Bills

Conner signed with the Buffalo Bills on May 13, 2015, reuniting with his former head coach Rex Ryan. [11] On September 4, 2015, he was released by the Bills. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Rayner</span> American football player (born 1982)

Dave Rayner is an American former professional football placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL draft. He played college football at Michigan State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Chomyszak</span> American football player (1944–1988)

Stephen John Chomyszak was an American football defensive lineman in the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL). A defensive tackle, he played for the AFL's New York Jets (1966–1967) and Cincinnati Bengals (1968–1973) of the AFL and NFL.

Hard Knocks is a reality sports documentary television series produced by NFL Films and HBO. First broadcast in 2001, the show typically follows a National Football League (NFL) team through its training camp and covers the team's preparation for the upcoming football season. Beginning in 2021, the show has also dedicated an additional season of television to following an additional team throughout the NFL regular season. Followed by an additional season to following another team through the NFL offseason starting in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Johnson (quarterback)</span> American football player (born 1986)

Joshua Javon Johnson is an American professional football quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Johnson has been a member of 14 different NFL teams, the most in league history. He also played in the United Football League (UFL) and the XFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlos Dunlap</span> American football player (born 1989)

Carlos Dunlap is an American professional football defensive end. He played college football for the Florida Gators, where he won the 2009 BCS National Championship Game. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2010 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cordy Glenn</span> American football player (born 1989)

Cordy Glenn is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs. Glenn earned a 2010 All-American selection and was considered one of the best offensive guards of his class by NFLdraftscout.com. He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft. He also played for the Cincinnati Bengals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Preston Brown (linebacker)</span> American football player (born 1992)

Michael Preston Brown is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tommy Bohanon</span> American football player (born 1990)

Thomas Grant Bohanon is a former American football fullback and special teamer. He played college football at Wake Forest and was selected by the New York Jets in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers and Baltimore Ravens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Develin</span> American football player (born 1988)

James Rittenhouse Develin, Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a fullback. He played college football for the Brown Bears as a defensive end. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz of the Arena Football League (AFL). He most prominently played for the New England Patriots for seven seasons with whom he won three Super Bowls and appeared in a Pro Bowl. Develin was on the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad for two seasons and played for the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League (UFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bud Dupree</span> American football player (born 1993)

Alvin "Bud" Dupree Jr. is an American professional football linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Kentucky, and was drafted in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has also played for the Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Kroft</span> American football player (born 1992)

Tyler Kroft is an American professional football tight end. He played college football at Rutgers. He was drafted in the third round, 85th overall, in the 2015 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He has also played for the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C. J. Uzomah</span> American football player (born 1993)

Christopher James Uzomah is an American professional football tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Auburn and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quinton Jefferson</span> American football player (born 1993)

Quinton Jefferson is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL draft. He played college football at Maryland. He played for the Seahawks from 2016 to 2019, as well as brief stints for the Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo Bills, Las Vegas Raiders, and the New York Jets. Jefferson has played for the Seahawks three separate times. In 2024, Jefferson signed a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Willis (American football)</span> American football player (born 1995)

Jordan Johnathan Willis is an American professional football defensive end. He played college football at Kansas State and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake Kumerow</span> American football player (born 1992)

Jake Anthony Kumerow is an American former professional football wide receiver. He played college football at Illinois and UW–Whitewater, and was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He has also been a member of the New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, and Buffalo Bills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dion Dawkins</span> American football player (born 1994)

Dion Dawkins is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Temple.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike White (quarterback)</span> American football player (born 1995)

Michael White is an American professional football quarterback for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Florida Bulls and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. White was selected in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft by the Dallas Cowboys, where he spent one season, before joining the New York Jets the following year. A backup during his first three seasons, White did not see any playing time until 2021 in relief of injured starter Zach Wilson. He later replaced Wilson as the starter near the end of the 2022 season before being sidelined by injuries himself. White has also played as a backup for the Miami Dolphins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benny Snell</span> American football player (born 1998)

Benjamin Snell Jr. is an American professional football running back. He played college football for the Kentucky Wildcats. Snell is the great-nephew of former New York Jets running back Matt Snell. His father, Benjamin Snell Sr. is an alumnus of Ohio Northern University, played in the NFL Europe and the XFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cody Ford</span> American football player (born 1996)

Cody Ford is an American professional football offensive guard for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oklahoma. He has played in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals and the Cincinnati Bengals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drew Sample</span> American football player (born 1996)

Drew Sample is an American professional football tight end and fullback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Washington and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft.

References

  1. ↑ "NFL Draft - 2010 FB Draft Prospects", CBSSports.com, retrieved January 8, 2010
  2. ↑ Vaught, Larry (December 22, 2009), "UK Football: Conner named All-American", Danville Advocate[ permanent dead link ]
  3. ↑ "John Conner Combine Profile", NFL.com, retrieved February 27, 2010.
  4. ↑ "John Conner Draft Profile", NFLDraftScout.com.
  5. ↑ Cosby, Chip (September 24, 2009), "Cats to try fullback Conner at tight end", Lexington Herald-Leader
  6. ↑ "2010 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  7. ↑ Vorkunov, Mike (October 17, 2012). "Jets reach injury settlement with John Conner". The Star-Ledger. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved October 18, 2012.
  8. ↑ "The Official Site of the Cincinnati Bengals". www.bengals.com. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Sources: Giants, John Conner agree to two-year deal | National Football Post". Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2013
  10. ↑ Slater, Darryl (September 30, 2014). "Jets re-sign John 'The Terminator' Conner to replace Tommy Bohanon, who goes on injured reserve". NJ.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  11. ↑ Brown, Chris (May 13, 2015). "Free agent FB John Conner signs with Bills". Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on May 15, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
  12. ↑ Brown, Chris (September 4, 2015). "Leodis McKelvin to Reserve/NFI as Bills release 16". BuffaloBills.com. Archived from the original on September 17, 2015. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.