Class 2014: Michael O’Connor looks ahead to NCAA/CIS

CFC profiles Michael O’Connor, one of the country’s highest regarded quarterback prospects.

Michael O’Connor

Class:
2014

Position:
Quarterback

Height/Weight:
6’5, 205 lbs

Commitment:
None

Consideration:
NCAA, CIS

Teams:
Orleans Bengals (peewee)
Ashbury Colts (secondary school)
Eastern Ontario All Star Team (private secondary school)

Michael O’Connor may not step on to the field as a colligate quarterback until the 2015 season, but the Ontario native is already drawing the eye of scouts.

O’Connor has played organized ball since age seven, and has been under center at the high school level for two years. Already, as a sophomore, O’Connor possesses the physical attributes – he is 6’5, 205 lbs – and technical prowess that projects him as a successful future quarterback.

O’Connor got his start in football as an offensive lineman, before he transitioned to linebacker, ultimately making the switch to signal caller four years ago. Though a relative newcomer to the position, O’Connor has thrived in the role, and has developed into one of the nation’s top prospects.

The young star has delivered on his potential to this point, garnering a selection to Eastern Ontario’s All-Star Team, the Wolfpack, last summer.

In 2010, O’Connor led his peewee squad, the Orleans Bengals, to a National Capital Amateur Football Association A Championship, and received Team, Championship, and All-Star MVP honours along the way.

Last fall he led the Ashbury Colts to an Ontario Private Schools Conference title.

Not one to rest on his laurels, O’Connor has sought to immerse himself in the game as much as possible, in preparation for the challenges he will face at the university level.

“I have attended, and done very well, at camps at Rutgers and Syracuse University,” explains O’Connor. “In 2010 I was the top Junior player at the New England Patriot’s Football Camp. In 2011 I was both the top Senior quarterback, and player at this camp.”

In addition to these exalted accolades, O’Connor has obtained honours for his performances at NUC combines in Rochester and Delaware, and at a University of Syracuse camp. He also received an invite to the Top Prospects Camp at the University of Oklahoma.

Though he has made some rounds through NCAA campuses, the Ontarian remains uncertain as to where he sees himself playing in 2015.

“I am open to Division I, and possibly Division II, NCAA schools. I am also interested in CIS schools,” notes O’Connor. “I am an honours student so I will also be looking into the Ivy League schools, and Stanford.”

O’Connor has maintained a secondary school academic average of 87%, and is leaning towards studying business or science as part of his postsecondary program.

While O’Connor is bracing himself for the academic and athletic challenges to come, he takes the time to reflect on his football career to date. The quarterback states that he has collected two particular football memories that standout in his own mind.

“Firstly in 2010 when my Bengals team won the Peewee Championship and I ran for three touchdowns and over three hundred yards, and secondly in 2011 while going for an undefeated Junior season I threw for 4 touchdowns versus St. Mike’s in my Ashbury school’s team victory.”

O’Connor also takes the time to reflect on those who have helped him develop as both a person and football player.

“My parents and my older brother, Matthew, give me guidance and the benefit of their experience,” he says. He also gives credit to former coach, Dennis Prouse, for introducing him to the quarterback position, as well as high school coaches Jon Landon and Dewayne Smith, and Victor Tedondo, his trainer at Gridiron Football Academy.

O’Connor also obtains inspiration from the prospects that have come before him, and went on to successful careers as football players.

“I wear number 15 because I admire Tim Tebow, not only for what he does on the field, but for what he does off the field. I also like to watch Drew Brees play because he is so methodical in how he picks apart defences and spreads the ball to many different receivers.”