The 3-2-1: Hear that? It’s buzz around Aidan O’Connell, Hudson Card
Aidan O’Connell is looking like a steal of the 2023 draft, praise keeps coming in for Hudson Card and why did Jamari Brown leave? All that and more in the latest … 3-2-1.
Three Things Learned
1 – Aidan O’Connell may end up being a steal
The former Purdue quarterback was a fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft by the Raiders. But, in two preseason games, O’Connell has looked more like a first-rounder.
And, given the fragility of the two signal-callers in front of him on the Las Vegas depth chart–Jimmy Garoppolo and Brian Hoyer–O’Connell could find himself thrust into action sooner rather than later. Not bad for the one-time walk-on who continues to author a made-for-Hollywood story.
O’Connell created a buzz in the opening preseason game, getting the start and leading the Raiders to a 34-7 win vs. the 49ers. O’Connell connected on 15-of-18 passes for 141 yards and a TD. He came off the bench this past weekend in Las Vegas’ 34-17 victory over the Rams, hitting 11-of-18 aerials for 163 yards and two TDs.
Add it up: O’Connell is 26-of-36 passing (72 percent) for 304 yards and three TDs in two preseason games, showing the accuracy, touch, poise and general aplomb Purdue fans had become accustom to seeing. He even has rushed five times for 12 yards. O’Connell is an ideal fit in the offensive system of Raiders coach Josh McDaniels.
Up next: the preseason finale at Dallas on Saturday.
Keep these names on file: The seven QBs selected ahead of O’Connell in the 2023 NFL draft …
Bryce Young, 1st round/1st overall
C.J. Stroud, 1/2
Anthony Richardson, 1/4
Will Levis, 2/33
Hendon Hooker, 3/68
Jake Haener, 4, 127
Stetson Bennett, 4/128
2 – The plaudits keep pouring in for Hudson Card
BTN anchor Dave Revsine was the latest to drool over the skill-set of Purdue’s signal-caller, who said upon visiting a Boilermaker practice last week that Card “was REALLY good. He absolutely put on a show.”
And so it has gone for Card since the moment he arrived on campus. The praise has been effusive for the Texas transfer … from coaches to players and all on-lookers.
At a recent practice, Card gave another glimpse of why so many are excited about him, threading a deep TD pass to Zion Steptoe in one instance and then sprinting through traffic for a TD on another.
3 – Purdue will practice in the mornings this season
The plan is to go at 9:30 a.m. From what I know, this will be the first time the Boilermakers have practiced in the morning during a season.
This is something Ryan Walters wanted, a scheduling format that was employed at Illinois the past two seasons. The thought is players will be fresh as they start their day. There also will be time for them to return to the facility later in the day after attending to academic work.
MORE: Purdue Football 2023 Training Camp Content Hub
Two questions
1 – Why did Jamari Brown leave?
Early last week, Brown got emotional and walked out in the middle of a practice. He never returned, abruptly jumping into the transfer portal late last week.
Brown was slated to be the fourth or fifth cornerback this season behind players like Marquis Wilson, Markevious Brown and Botros Alisandro. True freshman Derrick Rogers is also promising.
Bottom line: Brown may have worn out his welcome and was struggling with consistency, as others had passed him on the depth chart.
No, Brown wasn’t an All-Big Ten-caliber player. Still, it would have been preferable to have a veteran with 13 career starts at Purdue back to help bolster a cornerback unit that is now fully stocked with newcomers …
Transfers: Marquis Wilson, Braxton Myers, Markevious Brown, Salim Turner-Muhammad, Zeke Williams
JC: Botros Alisandro
Freshmen: Zion Gunn, Derrick Rogers
2 – Is Ross-Ade Stadium gonna be ready for the opener vs. Fresno State on Sept. 2?
Yes, it will be, as Purdue Athletics Facilities Superintendent Kyle Banter assured me during a tour of the south end zone and tunnel last week.
Work is progressing, with crews grinding around the clock. There will be some unfinished details that won’t be complete for the opener–you likely won’t notice them–but the stadium will be functional to accommodate crowds.
One prediction: S Dillon Thieneman will be the most impactful freshman
The true freshman from Westfield (Ind.) High began turning heads in spring ball after he arrived early, running with the first-team late in drills in April.
Dillon Thieneman has continued to shine in fall camp. Some whisper he may be the team’s best safety and looks poised to start.
It will be fun watching the younger brother of Jacob and Brennan develop this fall.
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