Player, College, Pos., Ht., Ht., Class, Proj. Rd
Aidan OConnell, Purdue, QB, 6033, 210, rSr, 4-5
Note:
O'Connell has a nice arm, but team sources see a lot of problems with him for the NFL. They note that his accuracy is all over the place and say he throws into coverage constantly. O'Connell also is not a good athlete or gifted runner. Hence, he might be more of a third-day prospect for the 2023 NFL Draft
STATS
HISTORY -- From College Profile
4/11/23: O'Connell completed 64 percent of his passes in 2022 for 3,490 yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He missed the contest against Florida Atlantic with an undisclosed injury. O'Connell decided to skip Purdue's bowl game to prepare for the 2023 NFL Draft.
7/19/22: O'Connell was one of the Big Ten's better quarterbacks in 2021, completing 72 percent of his passes for 3,712 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. O'Connell is a nice college quarterback, but he faces physical limitations for the NFL.
2021
• Named All-Big Ten Second Team by league’s coaches & media, Associated Press, Pro Football Focus and Phil Steele
• Named Academic All-Big Ten
• Received National Football Foundation Drew Brees Mental Toughness Award
• Graduated with master’s degree in May
• Appeared in 12 games, making nine starts
• Took over the offense at halftime against Illinois (Sept. 25) and made first start of the season against Minnesota (Oct. 2)
• Threw for 3,712 yards and 28 touchdowns
• Had a passing efficiency of 158.8
• Went 315-of-439 passing for a 71.8% completion percentage,
• Single-season Purdue rankings - set the completion percentage record and passing efficiency, eighth in attempts, tied for fourth in completions, fifth in passing yards, fourth in touchdowns,
• Averaged 11.8 yards per pass and 309.3 passing yards per game
• Had a touchdown pass in 11 games, including two or more in the final six outings of the year
• Tallied six games of 300 yards passing or more
• Finished with 2,161 yards, 19 touchdowns and a 72.5% completion percentage over the final five games
• Joined Drew Brees as the only Boilermakers with multiple 500-yard passing games in the same season
• Tossed a pair of touchdowns in relief against UConn (Sept. 11)
• Went 12-of-19 for 182 yards and a touchdown to lead Purdue to a win over Illinois in the second half (Sept. 25)
• Threw for 371 yards on 34-of-52 passing with a touchdown against Minnesota (Oct. 2)
• Tossed a pair of touchdowns on 30-of-40 passing for 375 yards and ran for a touchdown against Iowa (Oct. 16)
• Went 40-of-54 for 536 yards and three scores against Michigan State (Nov. 6)
• Second straight 40-completion game, throwing for 390 yards and four touchdowns on 40-of-52 passing against Ohio State (Nov. 13)
• Connected on 29-of-39 passes for 423 yards and a trio of touchdowns at Wrigley Field against Northwestern (Nov. 20)
• Finished with 278 yards and four scores in a half of work against Indiana (Nov. 27)
• Threw for 534 yards and five scores on 26-of-46 passing against Tennessee (Dec. 30)
2020
• Academic All-Big Ten.
• Started the first three games of the season before missing the rest of the season due to injury.
• Completed 88 of 136 passing attempts for 916 yards and seven touchdowns.
• Averaged 305.3 yards passing per game.
• Went 31 of 50 for 282 yards and two touchdowns vs. Iowa on Oct. 24.
• Completed 29 of 35 passes for 371 yards and a pair of touchdowns at Illinois on Oct. 31.
• Finished 28 of 51 for 263 yards and two touchdowns vs. Northwestern on Nov. 14.
2019
• Academic All-Big Ten.
• Appeared in six games, making three starts.
• Completed 103 of 164 passing attempts for 1,101 yards and eight touchdowns.
• Connected on lone pass for four yards at No. 12 Penn State on Oct. 5.
• Tossed first collegiate touchdown on an 11-yard throw vs. Illinois on Oct. 26. Finished the game 8 of 14 for 67 yards and the score.
• Went 6 for 7 for 62 yards on a game-winning drive in the final minutes against Nebraska on Nov. 2.
• Made first collegiate start at Northwestern on Nov. 9 and completed 34 of 50 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns.
• Went 26 of 43 for 289 yards and two scores at No. 14 Wisconsin on Nov. 23.
• Finished 28 of 49 for 408 yards and three touchdowns against Indiana on Nov. 30.
2018
• Academic All-Big Ten.
• Did not play.
2017
• Joined the team as a walkon.
• Did not play.
HIGH SCHOOL
• Completed 183 of 297 attempts (61.6 percent) for school-record 2,741 yards with school-record 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions in lone season as starter.
• Also played basketball.
PERSONAL
• Give name is Aidan James O'Connell.
• Born Sept. 1, 1998
• Married Jael Johnson on July 30, 2022
• Jael was a four-year letterwinner with Purdue Volleyball and a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree
• One of six children
• Graduated Major: General Management.
• Earned Master's: Technology, Leadership & Innovation (May 2022)
• Older brother, Patrick, was a senior defensive lineman at Wheaton College.