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Will today’s player ever take a snap in his career? That is the long gamble of the walk-on quarterback.
Aidan O’Connell - Fr. (RS)
Lincolnshire, IL (Stevenson HS)
6’3”, 205 pounds
Quarterback
2018 Projection: Deep reserve at quarterback
It has to be rough going into the season knowing you’re about 6th on the depth chart. That is where O’Connell finds himself. Elijah Sindelar and David Blough are obviously the frontrunners at the position. Nick Sipe and Jack Plummer are battling for the No. 3 spot. 5th year senior Aaron Banks has a small amount of game experience and has been with the program for years. That leaves O’Connell.
O’Connell played at Adlai Stevenson HS north of Chicago. According to 247 he had some interest from Minnesota, but not an offer. Ironically, he would likely be in line for playing time had he gone there given their current QB situation. Instead he walked on at Purdue.
In 2016 he was the News-Sun Player of the Year and a Class 8A all-state selection for Stevenson. He established new school records for passing iwth 2,741 yards and touchdowns with 26. He was also a basketball standout. Stevenson went 8-2, but was upset in the first round of the state playoffs 21-20 by Huntley.