2014 CFC # 1 O’Connor transfers to UBC (VIDEO)

***UPDATED 12PM EST***

Two months after deciding to leave NCAA Division 1 team Penn State Nittany Lions, it appears CFC #1 CLASS 2014 pivot Michael O’Connor will be playing north of the border in 2015.

Last night via twitter, TSN’s Farhan Lalji broke the news that the 6’5, 205 pound quarterback signed with the UBC Thunderbirds:

QB Michael O’Connor, formerly of Penn State has signed with #UBCFootball. Best Cdn QB prospect since Jesse Palmer. HUGE coup for Blake Nill!

— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) February 12, 2015

Last month on CFC, it was reported that O’Connor took in an official visit with new Thunderbirds Head Coach Blake Nill at UBC.

In a Thunderbirds press release issued today, Thunderbirds Head Coach Blake Nill gave his thoughts of O’Connor’s transfer:

“Michael is an outstanding, pro-style quarterback,” commented Nill in the release. “He is very intelligent player whom is confident in his ability.”

“He can make all the throws and will come into compete and raise the bar at the quarterback position here at UBC.  I came in with the mandate to change the culture and take the UBC football program to another level.  In terms of recruiting, our goal is to be the top destination for student-athletes not only in British Columbia, but from across Canada. Getting Michael to join our program is the first step to reaching that goal.”

In December, O’Connor announced he was leaving the Nittany Lions after redshirting last season with the team.

The Ontario pivot committed to the school under former Lions Head Coach Bill O’Brien.  However, a couple of weeks before O’Connor was set to join the team, O’Brien resigned and James Franklin took over the position. His departure from the Lions made him the fifth pivot to transfer dating back to 2012.

 

Previous to the Nittany Lions, O’Connor was playing at the IMG Football Academy in Braneton, Florida, where he was training with former Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke. O’Connor also attended Baylor in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Previous to playing football south of the border, the Ontario quarterback suited up for the Ashbury Colts of the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association (CISAA), where he led the team to a conference title.  Additionally, he played for the Orleans Bengals of National Capital Amateur Football Association (NCAFA).  The Bengals won the league’s ‘A’ Championship in 2010.

O’Connor has been honoured for his exceptional play on the field throughout his career.  Those achievements include:  Colts MVP (2010), Championship MVP (2010), All-Star MVP (2010), top Junior player at the New England Patriot’s Football Camp (2010), top Senior quarterback, and player at Patriots Camp (2011), invite to the Top Prospects Camp at the University of Oklahoma and honours for his performances at NUC combines in Rochester, Delaware, as well as the University of Syracuse Camp.

With NCAA transfer rules, O’Connor will be able to play for the Thunderbirds immediately.  Since he redshirted last season with the Nittany Lions, the CFC # 1 CLASS 2014 pivot has all five years of CIS eligibility remaining with the Thunderbirds.

Photo credits:  Craig Houtz

(twitter: http://twitter.com/vohra_ameeta)