:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55225489/33378903116_cdb4873d10_h.0.jpg)
UNLV secured a longstanding target of theirs, Edison HS (Huntington Beach, California) quarterback Griffin O’Connor via his announcement on Twitter displaying his verbal commitment to the Rebels.
Viva Las Vegas.... pic.twitter.com/uiOAwBvBus
— Griffin O'Connor (@qboconnor) June 12, 2017
O’Connor is certainly a value add for the UNLV program, as he will provide depth for Tony Sanchez and his staff’s rosters in the upcoming years, as they currently possess two senior quarterbacks and one freshman signal caller going into the 2017 season.
Offensive coordinator Barney Cotton and quarterbacks coach Ron O'Dell are certainly elated with this snag.
In his junior season in 2016, O’Connor completed 58.6 percent of his passes for 3,600 yards, and in doing so, he threw 37 touchdowns and six interceptions as Edison came close to playing in the state championship.
The 6’3” 200-pound gunslinger selected UNLV over multiple division one schools, as he received offers from Indiana State, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, and Sacramento State. In addition, he unofficially visited and received interest from multiple Mountain West programs, including Fresno State, San Diego State, and San Jose State. According to his recruiting profiles, he also had interest from Nevada.
UNLV officially got into the mix for O’Connor’s services when they extended him an offer on March 2 of this year, and he unofficially visited their campus and toured their facilities on April 22.
O’Connor, a three-star prospect (Scout, 247Sports, Rivals) won’t just be handed a backup gig at the quarterback position come the start of the season, as he will also have to duke it out with fellow class of 2018 commit Stacy Conner, who pledged to the Rebels in April. Conner, a three-star from Wylie HS (Wylie, Texas) is one of the top 2018 quarterbacks in the state of Texas, and he was previously committed to in-state school Texas State.
The pair are currently the only two players that have verbally committed to UNLV so far.
O’Connor is considered to be a pro-style QB, and he fits the mold well, as his football IQ stands out on his game film. He has proven himself to be a leader with Edison’s championship push, and has the arm and skills to command a team. There is no doubt he will gel into whatever UNLV would like him to become as a quarterback.
In O’Connor’s words: “Viva Las Vegas...”
More to come.