New UBC Thunderbirds' quarterback Michael O'Connor

[therod]

"We have the same vision as they do at Penn State," began Nill, who will have O'Connor for all five years of his CIS eligibility starting in the fall, "but it's just a different culture in Canada. So for Michael to sort of see through the trees and realize that he can be satisfied with an athletic career here in Canada, that our program can get him to where he wants to be professionally if that is the path he wants to take, and most importantly to see what a UBC education can do for him beyond his playing years, is a really mature outlook."

"It's still my No. 1 goal," he said. "I wouldn't say I have given up on a dream. I have just chosen a different route. I have faced challenges all my life, like moving away from home after 10th grade. It's just another challenge. That's how I see it. I can't look at it and say there hasn't been a Canadian quarterback to play in CFL in years, or rarely in the NFL. I can't look at it that way. I just have to stay focused on what I can do every day to get better and it will play itself out, and whatever happens I will be happy."

Admitting he was a little disillusioned with his experiences this past season as a college red-shirt, O'Connor - who played his final two seasons of high school football in the U.S. - decided to take Nill up on an offer to tour the UBC campus. Despite having offers from a number of other well-heeled NCAA programs including Syracuse, he then made the bold decision to join the Thunderbirds because he felt he would get the best of both the academic and athletic worlds.

The Province

 

[T J]

Best of luck to Michael O'Connor - Glad he came to PSU when he did


Hope his career plans work out in professional football, when his time comes.

 

[PSU Mike]

I'd be 100% delighted if my son went to UBC

Great school. Great location.

 

[scrigity]

Seems like a great kid and I hope he fulfulls his dream of playing professionally, but I'm curious about the "disillusioned" comment. Not sure what he expected, but he certainly wouldn't have wanted to be inserted for mop-up duty instead of Crook. Maybe reps for backups in practice? Or a late realization that he wasn't playing over Hackeneberg at any point rubbed him wrong? I'm not a fan of throwing the author's editorial notes into a piece like that without any context.

 

[T J]

Originally posted by scrigity:
Seems like a great kid and I hope he fulfulls his dream of playing professionally, but I'm curious about the "disillusioned" comment. Not sure what he expected, but he certainly wouldn't have wanted to be inserted for mop-up duty instead of Crook. Maybe reps for backups in practice? Or a late realization that he wasn't playing over Hackeneberg at any point rubbed him wrong? I'm not a fan of throwing the author's editorial notes into a piece like that without any context.

Just a guess...

O'Connor was recruited to PSU by O'Brien, who many considered an offensive "guru" who could teach QBs to optimize their plays.

If so, then perhaps the issue is more about O'Brien leaving without being able to provide the years of training that O'Connor thought he might have gotten from O'Brien.

No disrespect meant about the current offensive coaches or the QB coach. But, the new staff's approaches to QBs and their focus on how to read defenses and how the QB should respond are likely different than O'Brien's, to some degree.

 

[Burb]

Good Luck Michael - Make it happen !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[blion72]

this is a tremendous school and option for life. I am not sure it will take him to the NFL though.

he may have stayed with OBrien, as he was next man up, and would have had tremendous coaching. neither Hack or OConnor would have ever committed to this offensive staff, as they do not fit the style. OConnor knew he was not going to be the next man up over McSorley, so his fate was sealed. in an OBrien offense, OConnor probably would have been positioned over McSorley.