That would be pretty solid. Ill just add two notes; Chop some of the tip off the football. It cannot pass more than 1/2inch through a 2.5in diameter hole. I'd also recommend constructing the blue layers widthwise, not lengthwise. Perpendicular to the side view above. Otherwise i'd be concerned that the blue layers may separate if you hook something with your hammer. It will also probably require fewer pieces. Or if you build it this way, i'd recommend wrapping around it a few times horizontally with hockey tape before gluing on the open-cell foam. (assuming the grey part is open cell. Yellow foam from cushions and the like is what we call open-cell foam.)