CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 12: Purdue Boilermakers head coach Jeff Brohm talks with Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Aidan O'Connell (16) during the college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on November 12, 2022, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Old Man in the Sea -Aidan O’Connell QB Purdue

January 7, 2023 | William Yanish | Articles

Reading Time: 3 minutes

First Round Mock NFL Draft Analyst William Yanish studied Purdue’s Aidan O’Connell on game film and ended up comparing him to three-time NFL Pro Bowler Derek Carr.

Purdue QB Aidan O'Connell will not play in the Citrus Bowl and will declare for the 2023 NFL Draft, per @PeteThamel

QB8 on PFF's Big Board pic.twitter.com/qMbnYMRc4Y
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 15, 2022

So many quarterbacks (QB) are out there trying to be Gunslingers just like Patrick Mahomes…

All of the sudden, throwing from different arm angles has become something enamored by arm-chair General Managers (GM).

It’s laughable.

Whatever happened to good old fashioned mechanics?

There isn’t anything better when it comes to QB play.

You have Kentucky’s QB Will Levis, who has one of the best arms in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft, acting a fool. Who could ever forget when he had a chance to take down Georgia, but failed because of his gunslinger antics?

Someone throw me a life jacket

O’Connell, this QB I just witnessed, was out there smoking teams with clean mechanics and knowledge of the game. It was refreshing and it was beautiful.

O’Connell, a former walk-on, demonstrated the ability to use every weapon he had at his disposal. He worked the ball to six to eight targets per game.

This is what good QBs do.

However, don’t tell that to the other draft platforms about O’Connell. According to NFL Mock Draft Database, this Boilermakers’ textbook passer has an exactly 0.0% chance of being selected in the first-round.

I am sure that is the case, but it certainly doesn’t mean he cannot end up being one of the best QBs taken in this draft class.

Look at QB Brock Purdy.

Tell me more about O’Connell

He’s listed at 6’3″ and 210 pounds. He’ll also be 25-years-old before the 2023 NFL season even starts. This is why he’ll be completely written off in this draft.

However, just like with vehicles, it’s not the year of the model, but it’s the mileage that counts.

These measurables are just a representation of who O’Connell is physically. To this day, there is no way to measure who he is on the inside.

If you have read any of my previous evaluations, you will know that I like to hit on character and perseverance as being two of my highest valued traits when writing up a player.

Maybe you were led to believe that these things cannot be judged on game film alone, but that’s certainly not the case.

These things are written all over the game film.

It’s when the waters get rough

Back in November, after learning of his older brother’s death, O’Connell led the Boilermakers to a 30-16 win over Indiana, which secured Purdue’s shot at a Big-10 Championship versus Michigan.

It is times like this where you see if a player can rise above the greatest of adversities.

The best games I watched O’Connell play were against the best level of competition they faced. Against Michigan this year, you could see that he was doing his best impression of former Purdue QB Drew Brees.

What does the game film say?

With a quick release, excellent touch and great timing, O’Connell can play with some of the best when he’s on his game.

Not selling out his receivers is one of his greatest strengths he shows.

O’Connell throws one of the best back-shoulder passes I’ve seen from any QB in this draft class.

The rapport between him and his childhood friend, Purdue wide receiver Charlie Jones, is impeccable – – same with tight-end Payne Durham.

O’Connell tends to pick zone coverages apart. He shows a high football IQ. His work ethic is apparent. At times, he stares receivers down, but he does have high developmental upside.

O’Connell will develop into a starting caliber QB in the NFL

He demonstrated solid footwork, but he could improve in this area. He also has enough athleticism to extend plays. Standing in the pocket and making throws while starring down the barrel of the pass rush is one of his finest attributes.

Mid-range, sometimes the ball sails on him, but he sure does throw a pretty deep ball.

My BIG three questions

1. Will he get a chance to compete for a starting job on a QB needy team?

2. What can he do at the NFL Combine to stick out from the other midrange QBs?

3. How much will GMs worry about his age, and will his ability as a coach on the field be taken more into account?

How O’Connell stacks up and game film reviewed

Draft projection: Fourth-Round

Pro-comparison: Derek Carr

Game film evaluated:

The author, William Yanish, has been a football fan since he was knee high to a grasshopper. He played football until his body wouldn’t let him any longer at the tender young age of 17. He is an aspiring sports writer and author, who covers the NFL Draft for firstroundmock.com. Yanish attended Colorado Mesa University on the western slope of Colorado.