Persistent Pursuit
After graduating high school, Aidan O’Connell faced a pivotal decision: follow in his brother Patrick’s footsteps to play at Wheaton College, a Division III school, or seek opportunities independently by joining a Division I program. He chose the latter, enrolling at Purdue University in 2017 without any promises of playing time but confident in his ability to compete at the highest level. This gamble has since paid off, culminating in his role as the starting quarterback for the team in the 2022 season.
Faith as a Guiding Force
O’Connell views faith as the foundation of his journey. “It’s the center of my life,” he says. “If I weren’t a Christian, I would have gone crazy by now.” His involvement in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) not only fulfilled his spiritual needs but also led him to his future wife, standout volleyball player Jael Johnson, whom he met at an FCA meeting in 2018. Reflecting on his journey, O’Connell shares, “Even if I never played a snap at Purdue, I would have stayed. I love my teammates and my school, and my FCA experience really highlighted my time here.”
Overcoming Challenges
O’Connell attended Stevenson High School in suburban Chicago, where he trained with quarterback coach Jeff Christensen at Throw It Deep, a top quarterback training academy. Despite setting a school record with 2,741 yards and 26 touchdowns, college offers were scarce. When O’Connell visited Purdue in early 2017, the coaching staff knew little about him, and he began the season as the eighth or ninth quarterback on the depth chart. Brian Brohm, Purdue’s quarterback coach, recalls, “He stayed after practice to throw more and spent time studying film. He never complained and always worked hard.”
Seizing Timely Opportunities
After two seasons without game action, O’Connell’s opportunity arrived in 2019 when Elijah Sindelar sustained an injury. O’Connell stepped up in key moments against Penn State and Illinois, ultimately securing a victory over Nebraska. Trailing 27-24, he led a game-winning drive, completing 6 of 7 passes for 62 yards, culminating in a touchdown pass to David Bell. “That day changed my life,” O’Connell admits. The following week, he fulfilled a childhood dream by leading Purdue to victory over Northwestern in front of friends and family, completing 34 of 50 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns.
Building Momentum
O’Connell earned the starting role for the delayed 2020 season but faced setbacks, including an injury that sidelined him for the rest of the year. Competition resumed in 2021, where he initially lost the starting position to Jack Plummer. However, when Plummer struggled, O’Connell stepped in, leading the team to victory over Illinois with a 14-yard touchdown pass. In the season’s final five games, O’Connell averaged 372 yards per game, throwing 18 touchdowns without an interception. His standout performances included 536 yards against Michigan State and 423 yards against Northwestern at Wrigley Field.
A Bright Future
The season concluded with a thrilling 48-45 overtime win over Tennessee at the Music City Bowl, which O’Connell describes as “the most exciting game I’ve ever played.” Although he started only nine games, he earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors, completing 72% of his passes for 3,711 yards and 28 touchdowns. Looking toward the future, O’Connell faces a significant decision: pursue a professional career or return for a sixth season at Purdue. He chose the latter, believing that additional playing time would enhance his NFL prospects. “I heard I might get drafted, but having more film is important,” he explains. “Being in a quarterback-friendly system, returning for another year seemed like the right decision.”
With determination and guiding faith, Aidan O’Connell continues to chase his NFL dreams, ready to make the most of every opportunity.
