PRO: In a rare draft day move for the Cowboys organization, Dallas selected placekicker Nick Folk with a sixth round choice (178th overall) in 2007. Since the NFL Draft was reduced to seven rounds in 1994, the Cowboys had never spent a draft choice on a punter or a placekicker. Within a few short months, Folk went from a novelty to the Cowboys first ever rookie Pro Bowl kicker. Folk became only the third placekicker in club history to be selected to the Pro Bowl, joining Efren Herrera (1977) and Rafael Septien (1981). He also became the first Dallas rookie at any position to earn a trip to Hawaii since Emmitt Smith in 1990. After taking the job in training camp from veteran Martin Gramatica, Folk never looked back as he provided clutch field goals through his rookie campaign and improved through his second season. In 2008, Folk converted 20-of-22 field goal attemps for a 90.9 conversion percentage - third in a season in team history. He also proved true on all 42 PAT tries to extend his streak to 95 straight - tied with Richie Cunningham for third and just five shy of Danny Villanueva's club record (100 from 1965-67).
TRANSACTION SUMMARY:
4/29/07: Drafted in the sixth round (178th overall) by Dallas.
2008:
Led the team with 102 points to become the first player to have back-to-back 100-plus point seasons since Richie Cunningham (1997-98). Also became just the sixth Cowboy to accomplish the feat -Mike Clark (1968-69), Rafael Septien (1983-84), Emmitt Smith (1994-95), Chris Boniol (1994-96) and Cunningham (1997-98).
Finished with a 90.9 field goal percentage (20-of-22) for the third-highest field goal percentage in a season in club history.
Converted all 42 PAT attempts.
Carries a streak of 13 consecutive field goals made into the 2009 season.
Was true on all four PAT tries in the season-opening win at Cleveland (9/7) before hitting on a season-high five tries and both field goal attempts - 47 and 51 yards - in the home-opening win against Philadelphia (9/15).
Drilled his next four field goal tries coming at Green Bay (9/21) - 25 and 39 - against Washington (9/28) - 36 - and against Cincinnati (10/5) - 30.
Added a special teams tackle against the Bengals.
Was one-of-two on field goals, making a season-long 52-yarder as time expired to send the game into overtime at Arizona (10/12).
Began his streak of 13 consecutive field goals made making both tries - 38 and 45 - against Tampa Bay (10/26).
Attempted and made a season-high four field goals (41,42,47,48) along with three PATs against San Francisco (11/23).
Was four-of-four on PATs and two-of-two on field goals (41,42) on Thanksgiving Day against Seattle (11/27).
Converted field goals from 44 and 33 yards on a cold, windy day at Pittsburgh (12/7).
Made his only field goal try (35) against Baltimore (12/20) before closing out the season hitting both field goal tries (37 and 42) at Philadelphia (12/28).
2007:
Selected to the Pro Bowl following the 2007 season - the first Cowboys rookie to be selected since Emmitt Smith in 1990. Is also the only rookie kicker in franchise history to earn a Pro Bowl trip and only the third kicker in club annals to go to the Pro Bowl.
Was one of 13 Cowboys selected to go to Hawaii - setting a team and NFL record.
Named to the All-Rookie and All-NFC teams as placekicker by the Pro Football Writers.
Finished fourth in the NFL in scoring among kickers (second in the NFC) with 131 points. Was also second in the NFL among rookie kickers.
Established a club rookie record with 131 points which was also the third-most by any player in team history.
Hit on all 53 of his PATs for the year and was 26-of-31 on three pointers.
In his NFL debut against the N.Y. Giants (9/9), hit on all six PATs and a 31-yard field goal for his first NFL three pointer in the 45-35 win.
At Miami (9/16), hit a 47-yard field goal and registered his first career touchback on a kickoff.
Connected on all four of his extra points and was two-of-three on field goals - with one blocked field goal attempt at Chicago (9/23).
At Buffalo (10/8), made the game-winning field goal as time expired with a career-long 53-yarder to give Dallas a 25-24 win on Monday Night Football. Folk earned the opportunity to make that kick after executing an onside kick that was recovered by Tony Curtis. He was four-of-four on field goals on the night (47, 29, 37, and 53) and hit his only PAT.
Was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his effort at Buffalo.
Against the N.Y. Jets (11/22) connected on four extra points and two field goals from 46 and 27 yards.
In the big win over Green Bay (11/29), was a perfect seven-of-seven on kicks - three field goals (26, 51, and 25) and four PATs.
At Carolina (12/22) hit both of his field goal attempts (42 and 23 yards) and added one tackle.
COLLEGE:
Finished his career at the University of Arizona by hitting on 30-of-47 field goals, including a long of 53 yards. Was 79-of-81 on extra points.
Also had 96 punts for 4,242 yards (44.2 yards-per-punt), including a long of 61 yards.
As a senior in 2006, earned first-team All-Pac-10 honors after hitting on 15-of-20 field goal attempts, including a long of 52 yards.
Was perfect from 29 yards or closer, four-of-five from 30-39 yards, and five-of-nine from 40-49 yards as a senior.
Made his only field goal attempt from 50-plus yards, and only one of his kicks was blocked.
Had 10 touchbacks, seven fair catches on punts and 24 punts downed inside the 20-yard line.
Earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors as a junior, making 31-of-33 PATs and seven-of-11 field goals (63.6 percent).
Made a 51-yard field goal against Purdue, the longest of his junior season.
Took over as punter and handled kickoffs after the seventh game and finished with a league-best 44.7-yard average on 22 punts - landing eight inside the 20 with two touchbacks.
Had a career-best 61-yard punt against Washington.
Won the starting kicking job as a sophomore for the Wildcats.
Earned All-Pac-10 honorable mention after making eight-of-13 field goal attempts and all 18 of his PATs.
Made a career-long 53-yard field goal against Arizona State in the final game of his sophomore season.
As a redshirt freshman, played in 10 games and took over as the placekicker in the last four.
Was named to the honorable mention Pac-10 All-Academic team and received the team's Undergraduate Academics Award for the best grade point average and classroom excellence. Also received the 2002 and 2003 Academic Champion Award.
PERSONAL:
Nicholas Folk attended Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Calif.
Was named to the All-California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section second-team as a placekicker and to the first-team as a punter.
Finished his prep career by hitting five-of-nine field goal attempts, including a long of 52 yards.
Lettered four years in football and soccer.
Was named to All-Mission League Academic Team and won the Scholar-Athlete Award.
