Kevin O'Connell (American football)

Infobox NFLactive
name=Kevin O'Connell


currentteam=New England Patriots
currentnumber=5
currentpositionplain=Quarterback
birthdate=birth date and age|1985|5|25
birthplace=Knoxville, Tennessee
heightft=6
heightin=6
weight=225
debutyear= 2008
debutteam= New England Patriots
college=San Diego State
draftyear=2008
draftround=3
draftpick=94
pastteams=
*New England Patriots (2008-present)
status=Active
highlights=
* Second-team All-Mountain West (2007)
nfl=OCO193317

Kevin O'Connell (born May 25, 1985 in city-state|Knoxville|Tennessee) is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Patriots in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at San Diego State.

Early years

The son of an FBI agent, O'Connell spent his childhood years in Carlsbad, California, where he attended La Costa Canyon High School. [http://goaztecs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/oconnell_kevin00.html SDSU Aztecs Biography for Kevin O'Connell] ] At La Costa Canyon, O'Connell lettered in both football and basketball. In football, as a junior, he passed for 980 yards and seven touchdowns. As a senior, he was named his Team's Most Valuable Player, and selected to All-League, All-North County, and All-San Diego teams. In basketball, he was a two-year letterman, and a teammate of Arizona standout Chase Budinger. [ [http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2008/09/28/oconnell_could_be_ready_in_a_snap/ O'Connell could be ready in a snap] ] O'Connell graduated from La Costa Canyon in 2003.

College career

O'Connell graduated from San Diego State University in December 2007 with a degree in political science. [http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/canepa/20080212-9999-1s12canepa.html O'Connell's shot at NFL looks legit] , Nick Canepa, "San Diego Union-Tribune", Feb. 12, 2008] [ [http://ww.uniontrib.com/sports/aztecs/20071129-9999-1s29azfoot.html Offensive evolution under Long has come to pass for the Aztecs] ] At SDSU, where he was a four-year team captain, he started 21 games, the sixth-most among SDSU quarterbacks, and ranked first in school history in career rushing yards and second in career rushing touchdowns among quarterbacks; in 2007 he led the team in rushing yards. Passing, he ranked tenth in yardage, eighth in attempts, and seventh in completions.

O'Connell played in both the 2008 Hula Bowl and the 2008 East-West Shrine Game. He was the Kai team quarterback in the 2008 Hula Bowl, where he led the offense and was one of the Kai team's only bright spots. He was 11-of-21 for 147 yards, and completed the pass which resulted in the Kai's only score of the game. [ [http://goaztecs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/011308aaa.html Kevin O'Connell Shines in Hula Bowl (Jan. 12, 2008)] ]

Professional career

Pre-draft

Just prior to being drafted, San Diego sports writer Nick Canepa described O'Connell as having:At the 2008 NFL Combine, O'Connell ran a 4.61 40-yard dash, only second to San Diego's QB, Josh Johnson.

New England Patriots

The New England Patriots selected O'Connell with their third pick (94th overall) of the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft, the highest pick the Patriots have used on a quarterback since they drafted Drew Bledsoe first overall. O'Connell made his NFL debut on September 21, 2008 with New England. He played in the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins. He threw his first four career passes, completing three.

References

External links

* [http://www.patriots.com/team/index.cfm?ac=playerbio&bio=33156 New England Patriots bio]
* [http://goaztecs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/oconnell_kevin00.html San Diego State Aztecs bio]