Ohio State Football: Landon O’Connell continues receiving interest after recent visit

The Ohio State football coaching staff has been monitoring 2024 quarterback prospect Landon O’Connell after an impressive sophomore season in 2021. O’Connell visited Columbus on March 24 and participated in the Ohio Elite 11 camp last weekend alongside other top recruits from the region.

“The recent visit at Ohio State was amazing. It’s just really good being able to visit your hometown school and build those connections with the coaches,” O’Connell told me. “What really helps them to get to the next level is the elite coaches they’ve had at Ohio State and the quarterback-friendly system there.”

O’Connell is the 3rd ranked junior quarterback from Ohio and has received interest from Cincinnati, Kentucky, Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, and Toledo, in addition to earning a scholarship offer from Bowling Green. The 3-star signal-caller also recently visited Penn State and Toledo as his recruiting continues to ramp up.

“Penn State was amazing. Beautiful facilities, great coaches, and all around just a great football town. I love everything about it,” O’Connell explained. “Toledo is great. I’ve built a really good connection with their quarterbacks coach Weiner. He is an amazing human being. They are a very upbeat team that brings in a lot of talent.”

The 6’4 in-state prospect has a lot of potential because of his proficient arm talent, pocket presence, and vision but his height and size are why a lot of programs are intrigued. O’Connell stands at 6’4 and 208 pounds prior to his second season starting at Pickerington North High School.

“Throws over the middle are very easy for me because of my size so I don’t struggle seeing over the line. Being big helps a lot too because of the constant hits you take as a quarterback. It’s always good to be able to take those hits and bounce back up,” O’Connell told me. “My strengths are having a strong arm, accuracy, and being able to make quick decisions.”

He threw for 1,141 yards (10.6 yards per pass) and five touchdowns while completing 59.3% of his throws a year ago. O’Connell took a noticeable step as a sophomore and is expected to continue rising alongside other Elite 11 Ohio camp invitees including Dante Moore, Talon Fisher, and Brady Drogosh.

O’Connell also talked about what he hopes to accomplish this season: “Just to be able to win games and compete with my guys. I love being on the field every Friday night with them so it’s amazing. I feel like I can improve my game, my running vision, and being able to find the holes when I break down and run.”

Some of the Ohio State football team’s other notable 2024 targets are 5-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, 5-star quarterback Dylan Raiola, and a trio of 4-stars in tight end Tayvion Galloway, offensive tackle Kam Pringle, athlete Bryce West and others. O’Connell will look to remain on Ohio State’s radar and potentially earn an offer soon.