Aidan O’Connell exceeded all expectations at Purdue as a walk-on quarterback, becoming the first Purdue quarterback to win a start after walking onto the program. He’s an intriguing quarterback who’s mechanics are flawed but still has developed a way to get the ball where he wants it to go regardless. I don’t see O’Connell being more than a project #3 quarterback his first couple of years in the league, but he’s going to have to show marked improvement to continue his NFL career during that time span.
Aidan O’Connell
QB – Purdue Boilermakers
HT: 6021
WT: 210
Year: Super Redshirt Senior
High School: Adlai Stevenson (Lincolnshire, IL)
Rating: N/A
Projected Draft Grade: Project Backup
Projection: 7th/PFA
Aidan O’Connell scouting notes
Pros:
- Purdue ran a very heavy pass offense last year, so we know that O’Connell has stamina.
- O’Connell has a very nice touch ball.
- Very accurate quarterback. He’s throwing to a spot – excellent with timing concepts.
- Shows excellent placement ability. Struggles to throw in the red zone consistently. Struggles to place the ball well when throwing toward the sideline, especially beyond 10 yards on outs and other timing concepts.
- Maneuvers well in the pocket.
- O’Connell has very quick feet.
- Makes a lot of accurate pre-snap reads.
Cons:
- Average arm strength. Doesn’t look like he can drive the football very effectively. Struggles to drive the ball to the perimeters.
- Needs to be better about when he uses his touch ball and when he throws a bullet.
- Release is elongated and over-extended.
- Struggles to throw effectively through pressure.
- Doesn’t have great pocket awareness. Wants to get out of there as quickly as he can.
- Good feet throughout his drop, abandons all technique under pressure. Stance tends to be wide when he plants, especially to launch a bullet.
- Average ability outside of the pocket.
- Not much of a scrambler, and doesn’t have a lot of great ability.
- Doesn’t do a good job reacting to disguised coverages.
