2023 BCS QB Scouting Report
Player: Aidan O’Connell
School: Purdue
Year: (RS) Senior
Games Watched: Ohio State (2021), Tennessee (2021), Wisconsin (2021 & 2022), Penn State (2022), Nebraska (2022), Michigan (2022)
====================================================================
Accuracy: Adequate general accuracy that waned when he had to step into it and crank it. Question if he has the ability to place throws where they need to be when the windows shrink hat the next level.
Arm Strength: Average arm when attacking down the field, but his ability to hit the level two/deep intermediate throws at the next level is a real concern. Often required an additional hitch or crow hop-style of finish to find the juice on deep shots.
Size: Lacks true mass and musculature, but is a sizeable prospect at 6’3”, 210 pounds.
Mobility: Deficient speed and quickness with some stiffness created by his leggy build, will struggle to effectively evade pressure at the next level.
Decision Making: Does well to stay on schedule and avoid sacks. Has the propensity to lock on to his reads and bring defenders into the throw. Could lose underneath zone defenders, resulting in him throwing blind. Willingness to put it up and let his guys make a play had its peak and valleys.
Out of Structure Ability: Extends well enough, but won’t be counted on to create beyond the pocket. Doesn’t show many arm angles or off-platform throws in his skillset.
Pocket Awareness: Flashes of maneuvering and climbing within the pocket, but he was often skittish and unaware of the true depth of interior pressure.
Touch/Placement: Can unload a feathery deep ball with good rotation that receivers can run under. Better at throwing to receivers moving away from him and towards space.
Upper/Lower Mechanics: Lacks great off-hand stabilization to really pull himself through the finish of the throw. Shows pronounced struggles aligning his hips and feet to create his hallway, forcing him to find receivers with his arm. Not uncommon for him to throw from an unsettled base, heightening his struggles to rotate through the throw and come to balance. Appears to have minimal scapula/shoulder rotation along with a low elbow, creating a stiffer motion that puts a cap on exit velocity.
Progressions: Anticipatory thrower with adequate timing and rhythm. Was a good fit for Purdue’s system that relied on play action/move-the-pocket throws with 2-man surfaces and schemed-open opportunities down the field. It will be interesting to see what his week at the Shrine Game can do for him.
Accuracy (15): 9
Arm Strength (10): 5.5
Size (5): 3.5
Mobility (10): 4.5
Decision Making (10): 5
Out of Structure Ability (10): 3
Pocket Awareness (10): 5
Touch/Placement (10): 6
Upper/Lower Mechanics (10): 3.5
Progressions (10): 7
Grade: 52/100 – Day 3/UDFA
Summary: O’Connell’s journey was rather unconventional having walked on in 2017 before grasping the starting role four years later. His first year as a starter was a success as a Second Team All-Big 10 selection before taking a step back in 2022 with fewer touchdowns and more interceptions. His litany of mechanical issues negate optimal placement and velocity, and a 25-year-old rookie with limited athleticism/physical traits suggests a Day Three/UDFA potential.
Report Author: T.J. Randall
Twitter: @TJ_Randall12