Interview: 2018 California 3-Star QB Griffin O’Connor Talks Yale Verbal Commitment
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
There may be very little competing programs can do on the recruiting trail when colliding for a player against the likes of Alabama, Texas, Ohio State, Tennessee, Penn State, USC, and LSU. Few programs can tout having 100,000-seat stadiums with a rich football tradition expanding decades. But when it comes to the college football atmosphere plus academics and a path paved forward in any job market with diploma in hand, few Power Five Conference programs can contend with Ivy League schools. Score one for Yale when the Bulldogs helped sway three-star quarterback Griffin O’Connor away from Mountain West Conference staple UNLV on Saturday (Aug. 19).
Make no mistake, Yale truly did get a steal with O’Connor. The 6-3, 200 pound, wizard in the pocket can spin the pigskin. At the end of his junior season, O’Connor helped make Edison High School one of the top programs not only in California but in the country running a record of 13-2. The Chargers field general passed for 3,600 yards with 37 touchdowns while further frustrating opposing defenses with 10 scores on the ground.
Interest started pouring in for the Huntington Beach area product from college programs across the country from the likes of Nebraska, Washington State, Utah, San Jose State, Indiana, Hawaii, and Boston College. On June 28, UNLV landed the prize quarterback putting a cornerstone talent in the 2018 class to build around. But, Yale continued to pursue O’Connor. On Aug. 14, O’Connor decommitted from UNLV reevaluating his options with offers from Columbia, Dartmouth, Cornell, Sacramento State, Indiana State, and Yale. Five days later, the Bulldogs shocked many with O’Connor’s commitment.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the newest member of the Bulldogs’ 2018 class covering his commitment with a look ahead to the 2017 season.
Interview
Griffin, congratulations on your commitment to Yale.
“Thank you.”
If you will, walk me through your recruiting process leading to the commitment. Have you had a chance to visit the campus and see the facilities in New Haven (CT)?
“Yes. I went to a camp there a while back. I have a friend that plays there, Garrett White (sophomore receiver from Edison). His father was our old head coach. They kept telling me to go check it out. I went there and met all the coaches for a camp. I did well at their camp. While I was there, we went on tours of the campus and the facilities and they showed me what the school has to offer.”
What did you think about the campus and facilities?
“It is kind of hard to stray away from a prestigious school like Yale. The dining hall looks like Hogwarts (Harry Potter). Yale has a very rich tradition. I can see myself there for four years. I can make a lot of connections there for life after football. There is a lot of opportunity and growth I see for myself going there.”
You’ve already said as much, but what led you to commit to the Bulldogs?
“After talking with the coaches and after they showed me all the opportunities I would have going to Yale. Seeing the growth outside of football, the networking, and new opportunities – I’m going 40 to 50 years down the line instead of the next five.”
How did you notify Yale’s staff that you were verbally committed?
“I committed to the staff after I decommitted from UNLV. I had some decision making to do. It was hard. This is a big decision for a guy my age. I am happy with my decision and I am excited for the future.”
Which coach did you commit to first?
“I called Coach (Tony) Reno, their head coach, and told him I was committed and ready to play ball for him. He told the other coaches. They were ecstatic to have me as part of the 2018 team.”
You said Coach Reno and the staff were ecstatic, how did they respond to your commitment?
“They were super excited. I think I was a big get for them. They told me I was their No. 1 recruit. They said I can make a big impact for the team. They were very happy to have me.”
What type of offense do the Bulldogs run?
“They run similar stuff to Edison. They run a lot of RPOs (read-pass option), spread, and zone read. It will be an easy transition for me.”
Have you set an official visit date to visit New Haven?
“No. I haven’t. I think they like to do it with all their commits at one time. I’m not sure on the exact date. I do know they want all of us there together to bond at one time and to see the campus together.”
Let’s turn our focus to the upcoming season. How does the team look in fall camp?
“I think we look really good. We just scrimmaged against Mater Dei (MaxPreps’ No. 1 team in the nation). We did well. We moved the ball on them. I am excited for what the season holds for us. We have a lot of passionate guys on the team that want to duplicate the season we had last year and more. We are ready to play our first real game.”
How was the scrimmage set up? Did you guys keep score?
“No. We did not keep score. They ran 12 plays and then we ran 12 plays, and then the twos went in for some reps. It was a situational scrimmage.”
How did you feel you did against Mater Dei’s tough defense?
“I felt I did really well. Our best receiver was out this game with a leg injury. He will be fine for Tesoro. It was hard having him out, he is a dynamic player. We utilized a lot of other receivers during the scrimmage. It was good for our O-line to go against some of the best linemen in the country.”
Preseason expectations are really high for the Chargers. MaxPreps has the team ranked No. 8 in California, No. 7 in the southern section. How does the team feel about the preseason rankings?
“Some of our guys know about it, but we are not focused on that. We are focused on the games ahead. We are honored to be ranked that high but we want to be higher than that. We are ready to prove ourselves this season and make the rankings go up by the end of the season.”
The first two games of the season should be thrilling for the fans and challenging for the team. Have you started preparation for Tesoro yet?
“Yeah, I’ve been watching film on them. We will get deep on them tomorrow in team meetings. We’ve been focused on this game for a while. We are excited to play them.”
What kind of challenge will Tesoro’s defense bring you and the Chargers’ offense?
“They have a lot of dynamic players on their team. They do a good job of disguising their blitzes. It will be a tough battle against a good team and good coaches. We are geared up for a full-padded game.”
Have you looked ahead to watch tape on Oaks Christian yet?
“I’m focused on this week. When this game ends then I’ll start preparing for Oaks Christian.”
Are there any other games on the schedule you are excited to play this year?
“Yeah, I’m excited to play San Clemente. We had a tough loss to them last year (39-35 in the playoffs). It will be good to get back at them this season.”
Griffin, again, congratulations on your commitment and good luck this season.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Griffin O’Connor at Edison (July 2017)
Photo credit: twitter.com; Griffin O’Connor decommitment statement