Nebraska walk-on Conor Connealy eager to continue family legacy

After learning he’d been offered a preferred walk-on spot with the Nebraska football team, the first thing Conor Connealy did was hug his dad.

And for good reason — because both father and son are now Huskers for life. The son of former Nebraska defensive tackle Terry Connealy, Conor said he’s “bled red my whole life.” Now, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Mount Michael lineman will continue his family legacy with the Huskers.

An offensive tackle and defensive end in high school, Connealy expects to work as a defensive end or outside linebacker when he arrives on campus in the fall. And just a couple years ago, such an opportunity with Nebraska was closer to a dream than reality.

It wasn’t until midway through his high school career that Connealy realized that he could have a future in college football — so long as he got to work.

“I wasn’t really sure about my potential until my junior year, when I put some pounds on and realized that I could be a real player,” Connealy said. “I hit the weight room hard, worked on my technique and did whatever I could.”

However, it took a long time for Connealy’s Nebraska offer to come about. Special teams coordinator Ed Foley was the first to reach out, with a request for Connealy to send game film showcasing his mobility. Nebraska liked what it saw, and director of football relations CJ Cavazos called to officially offer a walk-on spot a week later.

“It was unexpected because I’d had limited contact with the coaching staff,” Connealy said. “It was a rush for sure, I was excited and shaking for an hour because I was so thrilled.”

There was no need to take a couple days to think it over — Connealy accepted the walk-on offer right on the spot. And after sharing a moment with his father, a former Hyannis standout who won a national title with NU in 1994, it was time to let everybody know.

Complete with phone calls to his high school coaches, grandparents and friends, it was “a really fun night” as Connealy let his closest supporters know he’d be heading to Nebraska.

After spending several years working toward that goal, Connealy can focus upon his next goal — proving he belongs at Nebraska. And while some might shy away from the challenge of working their way up the depth chart, Connealy welcomes it.

“I like to work towards things and earn them, and as a walk-on I know that nothing’s going to be given to me,” Connealy said. “Every opportunity that I’m going to get I’m going to have to work towards, so I’m excited to prove myself and show everyone why I deserve to be there.”