National Football Foundation

A great football player made greater by his desire and work ethic, Connor Hughes is by no means a single dimension person, student, or athlete. 

A member of the National and Spanish Honor Societies and class representative in student government, Hughes ranked near the top of his class, maintaining a 4.0 grade point average throughout his high school career. 

Named an All-America kicker by Street & Smith's in 2001 and All-State as a junior and senior, Hughes holds the national high school record for career points scored by a kicker with 331. At the start of his senior year, he was named team captain and accepted the quarterbacking responsibilities. It was Hughes' sheer will, heart, and mental preparedness that ended up being a critical factor in the team's capture of the state championship. His four-year totals also include 30/38 field goals, 241/249 extra points, and a team record of 45-7. 

Demonstrating a high level of commitment in the community, Hughes was a mentor for middle school students and volunteered for the Angels of Mercy, March of Dimes, and Lions Club. He also was captained his Lafayette High School soccer team, earning All-State honors in both his junior and senior years. 

Hughes was a four-year starter at kicker at the University of Virginia and was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent after the 2006 NFL Draft. After three seasons in the NFL and two in the Arena Football League, he became a salesman and designer for Granite Transformations. Hughes is currently a field property claims adjuster for Farmers Insurance.