Nick Foles ended his career with a conference career record 933 completions. Photo by Chris Morrison-US PRESSWIRE
Arizona Wildcats quarterback Nick Foles said after the season-ending victory over Louisiana-Lafayette that he was due some “down time.”
It was a grueling season. He attempted (560) and completed (387) more passes than anyone in conference history. He finished hurt, playing through a rib injury. As a team captain, he had to help lead the team after coach Mike Stoops was fired at midseason.
But his down time won’t last long.
His father, Larry Foles, said Nick will sign with Athletes First and start formal training for the NFL Combine on Jan. 3 at the Velocity Performance Center in Irvine, Calif.
Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller, Washington quarterback Jake Locker, and Boise State receiver Austin Pettis were among the agency’s clients last season as they prepared for the draft.
Athletes First is led by one of the guys who gets described as an “NFL super agent” — David Dunn.
“It’s an elite group, and they go for integrity a lot,” said Larry Foles, adding that Nick is expected to be working out with many of the projected top receivers in the draft.
“You have to be a star player, but they focus on the integrity. We’re blessed to be with them.”
Larry Foles said Nick’s quarterback coach with Athletes First will be former NFL quarterback Ken O’Brien, who has worked with Carson Palmer, among many others. Nick went through a couple of sessions with O’Brien this summer.
“Mostly they will work on Nick’s speed and agility, and his foot,” Larry said.
“They say he has a lazy foot. They say he doesn’t point it where he throws it, so they will be working on that. They say in three months you won’t recognize him.”
While Foles was busy with his senior season, his parents were scouting for the right place for their son to continue his football education. Larry said they interviewed three or four agencies.
“I told him I didn’t want to know anything,” Foles said of his dad.
“When I’m in-season, that’s all I focus on. I don’t care about anything else. Now, I’ll look into it. He took care of all that, so I didn’t have to, and I’m thankful for that.”
But Foles, even as he prepared to take a deep breath and a few days off, did know there will be no time to relax once he gets to Irvine.
“I’m going to be training all day, probably six days a week, just trying to get ready for the next level,” he said. “I’ll hit it hard in January.”
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