DAVIS, Calif. – Rex and Porter Connors have been a brotherly duo on the football field since the days of Pop Warner Football, and at UC Davis it is no different as the two brothers have been patrolling the gridiron on the Aggie defensive side of things since arriving on campus three years ago.
 
"It's super fun," exclaimed Porter. "Ever since we were both little kids we always dreamed about playing college football together.  And now here we are. I feel great being able to look behind me and always see that he's there."
 
"It's kind of weird since he has always been on the team with me," said Rex. "So I don't know any different and the fact we have stayed together testifies to the level we are both playing at."
 
Natives of Pleasant Grove, Utah the Connors brothers came to Davis after a successful high school career at Pleasant Grove High School. Between the two of them, they combined for three 6A All-State honors and one All-Region 4 honor with Rex playing both safety and linebacker and Porter taking the role of linebacker.
 
"Rex goes hard and finishes the goals he sets for himself," said Porter. "It's impressive that no matter how difficult those goals might be, he will always be pushing to achieve those." "He is like my day one," said Rex. "We have been together for so long, so it's great to have him here at UC Davis to help me handle all of the things that have come my way."
 
Since coming to Davis both have made an impact on the field, seeing action together during the previous three seasons. With Rex patrolling the Aggie secondary just behind brother Porter who has been lining up at linebacker.
 
"These are my first two brothers I've had as a coach," said Assistant Coach (Inside Linebackers) Isaiah Jackson. "For the Connors brothers, football matters and this team matters."
 
Rex has been able to accumulate several individual honors and All-American nods. He was named a Jerry Rice Award Finalist in 2022 and found himself on the 2023 Buck Buchanan Award Watch List.
 
But Porter has also taken advantage of his opportunities to make an impact, breaking out during the 2023 season making 29 tackles, 14 being solo. He also snagged his second-career interception and made one fumble recovery.
 
"Porter plays with a quiet confidence," said Jackson. "He will get to the quarterback and he will be violent when he gets there. It's great to see him have success on the field and have the chance to celebrate and show off his personality."
 
"What makes Rex Connors special and a joy to be around is that he is just a good person and that is thanks to his family and how he was brought up," said Assistant Coach (Safeties) Evan Hicks. "Rex loves the game of football; he loves school, and he loves his family. That is Rex Conners. And he just loves playing football.
 
"And he loves it even more here at UC Davis because he gets to share the field with Porter."
 
It's not just on the gridiron where the two brothers have each other's back as they have both made sure to keep each other motivated off the field as well. Balancing each other, much like they do on game day.
 
"If I have any issues or problems in life, with schoolwork or on the field I've got my brother right there to turn to," said Porter. "Porter always stays calm," added Rex. "And having him there to reassure me when I get stressed or overwhelmed is huge for me."
 
Together the Connors brothers form a formidable duo on and off the field. Looking after each other as they each chase goals on and off the field. And as time goes by, they both know that they will always share a field, no matter the form of competition.