The Michigan State Quarterbacks are in a battle this spring and redshirt freshman Tyler O'Connor is in the midst of it.
The Michigan State Quarterbacks are in a battle this spring and redshirt freshman Tyler O'Connor is in the midst of it.
O'Connor talked about his performance so far this spring and how he thinks things are going.
Q: Because Coach D has talked about quarterbacks being live, do you think that works in your favor because you can get out on the edge and scramble?
A: I do. And that’s something I’ve actually been pretty excited about. Because I’m not scared to get hit or anything. Obviously going against our first team last year, defense playing scout team, I got hit almost every day. So it’s nothing new to me. And like you said, it creates the ability for the defense to collapse on you and press to escape, instead of them getting near us and blowing the play. So I definitely feel like that’s a benefit for me and something that kind of gives me a better chance to show them what I can do.
Q: Has anyone put a big hit on you yet?
A: Not yet. I like to think that I’m mobile enough to avoid the big hits and maybe just get wrapped up. But no, I haven’t taken too many big ones.
Q: For those of us that followed you in high school… Have you delivered any big hits? Because you certainly delivered your share of them in high school as a punishing runner.
A: I think maybe you’ll see, there was a play down here in goal line where I kind of ran over someone to get into goal line. So that’s something that I’ve kind of enjoyed doing in high school. Now maybe someone will prove me wrong at this level. But no, I’m not scared to put my shoulder down. At least yet. So we’ll keep doing it till someone stops me.
Q: You talked about going through your progressions and getting your progressions. Where are you at with that as opposed to last year, making your check downs and reading across the field?
A: Like I said, I can read a play book. I know I can go to this guy, this guy, this guy wants a different coverage, the x, y and z. I can read a playbook and know that, but it’s slowing things down that’s what I’m working on. And like I said, I feel like I’m getting better and better at it every day. Sometimes my feet get a little rushed, arm gets a little rushed, and some things go a little wild. That’s just something I’m really trying to slow down. Like I said, I feel like I’m right there and but then again we’re through 6 of 15 practices. So I’ve got time.
Q: Mark having talked about you taking most of your snaps in the gun, that there’s been some problems with the center exchange simply because you’re getting used to it. How do you think you’re adapting?
A: Today was a great day. It’s a very little thing that you shouldn’t have to worry about in football. Center/QB exchange problems, that’s just something with me moving around between…there were 5 centers last year on the scout team, and now I’m moving with the 3’s, the 2’s and the 1’s this year. So I’m getting used to all the guys and everything. I’m getting better every day.
Q: But the struggles at running back are probably not going to be settled until fall camp. Is a running quarterback even more critical for a year like this? Not only with the transition, just because of the struggles at running back?
A : Yeah, I believe it is. But I’m not even going to say there are struggles at running back. There’s definitely competition between Nick Hill and J Lang. I mean they both bring different dimensions. Obviously both very quick and fast. Nick likes to pour it up inside as well. But no, having quarterbacks that can go the opposite way as them, a read type play, I think is huge. The more looks you can give in defense, the more in a bind they’re going to be more of the time. I think it’s huge steps in our offense
Q: Obviously coming in you knew you were gonna be behind one or two guys. What kind of frame of mind can you come into spring camp with, just to kind of make sure that maybe you don’t lose focus and maybe you don’t get down on yourself about some things?
A: That’s something…I came in technically, obviously behind Andrew and then Connor as well. That’s something that I accepted last year, but like I said no one wants to sit. I don’t wanna be here wasting the year, my Freshman year. Obviously everyone wants to play but… I come in with the mindset that I can do everything they can do and maybe more. It’s a confidence thing. Last week I didn’t have any of my best practices. So I just gotta stay positive and remind myself this is just our 6th practice, we’ve still got 9 left and then fall camp. So I gotta stay positive, there’s gonna be ups and downs. But I’m learning a lot, still have some ways to go, but I feel more comfortable every day.
Q: Talk about your bomb to Tony Lippett today, I mean that pass was right on the money, took a long one for the touchdown. It seems like you’re getting that touch when you get to get those reps with those #1 guys.
A: That’s something I was saying earlier…the chemistry that you form with all the older guys is something that I didn’t get last year. I’m running with all the 3’s and everything as last year. It’s different when you go with the 1’s and maybe these guys are a little faster, run a little more crisper routes. So it’s more of a chemistry thing. Tony and I are starting to get on the same page, and the same with all the older guys. I play a big role in it, hit the deep post, and took it high and we were on the same page there and ended up right in his left.
Q: I bet you run like a 4.1 40 running down though to congratulate him because you were pretty excited.
A: Yeah, I know. It’s a big play. It’s something that everyone’s involved in but as soon as you score everyone’s gathered around celebrating. You don’t get too many opportunities to go down and celebrate an 80 yard touchdown or whatever it was. So yeah, it was a good time.
Q: You said today was one of your better days this spring?
A: Yeah, I felt a lot more comfortable. I felt very good today. Just comfortable with everything as a whole. I mean whether getting signals from the sideline, instead of just reading the play off to the team, pronouncing it to them, I was just making sure I was on the same page. I just feel more comfortable in the huddle and in the pocket and everything. So I think it was a pretty good day. There’s obviously room for improvement
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