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Former walk-on O'Connell to start at free safety
By Bobby La Gesse
Date Posted: 2009-08-31
In the first week of two-a-days, Iowa State safety Michael O’Connell injured his thumb while making a tackle.
Instead of taking his pads off and sitting out the rest of practice, O’Connell hurried to the sidelines and got his hand taped up. He then ran back onto the field, looking to wrap up another ball carrier.
“He is an animal,” quarterback Austen Arnaud said.
Because of his desire to stay on the field, his intelligence and his versatility in the secondary, O’Connell has been named the starting free safety for Thursday’s season opener against North Dakota State (Mediacom Connections, 7 p.m.).
“He has been the most productive safety,” ISU coach Paul Rhoads said.
As O’Connell has climbed the free safety depth chart — playing with a broken or sprained thumb, according to Arnaud — James Smith has fallen to the second unit as he deals with a strained calf. Smith, who led ISU with 85 tackles last season, was sidelined by the injury, but did return for Sunday’s practice. Smith started at strong safety in 2008 and moved to free safety this fall when junior college transfer David Sims took over the strong safety spot.
Rhoads said Smith will play Thursday, and the Cyclones may rotate safeties throughout the game.
While Smith sat out, O’Connell continued to impress the coaches. Not only did the coaches name him a starter, but they also awarded him a scholarship for this season.
“He does a fantastic job of getting our secondary lined up and making the correct decisions and checks,” Rhoads said.
O’Connell does more than put people in the correct alignment.
Defensive tackle Nate Frere called O’Connell a go-getter who is as tenacious as they come. Arnaud spoke highly of O’Connell’s work ethic, while linebacker Derec Schmidgall said O’Connell is a fiery player who loves to hit.
“That’s what makes a good football player,” Schmidgall said.
O’Connell made 21 tackles last season on special teams and as a backup safety. Arnaud can’t wait to see what his roommate will do with his expanded role in 2009.
“He is very excited for what they got for him,” Arnaud said. “I’m excited, too.”
Darks to play in opener
Wide receiver Darius Darks, who has been hampered with a hamstring injury, will play Thursday. Darks has been passed on the depth chart by junior college transfer Darius Reynolds and freshman Josh Lenz.
But Rhoads doesn’t expect Darks’ injury or spot on the depth chart to keep him on the sideline for too long.
“It probably won’t affect the total number of snaps he will play if he was a starter or not,” Rhoads said.
Getting a free ride
Along with O’Connell, wide receivers Jake Williams and Joel Zitek have received scholarships for this season.
“All three of these players have earned these scholarships through their performance last spring and in fall camp,” Rhoads said. “I certainly hope this aids us in adding walk-ons in the future to our program.”
Bobby La Gesse can be reached at (515) 663-6929, or rlagesse@amestrib.com.
By Bobby La Gesse
Date Posted: 2009-08-31
Michael O'Connell made 21 tackles last season on special teams and as a backup safety. "He's an animal," ISU quarterback Austen Arnaud said.
Tribune file photo
Tribune file photo
In the first week of two-a-days, Iowa State safety Michael O’Connell injured his thumb while making a tackle.
Instead of taking his pads off and sitting out the rest of practice, O’Connell hurried to the sidelines and got his hand taped up. He then ran back onto the field, looking to wrap up another ball carrier.
“He is an animal,” quarterback Austen Arnaud said.
Because of his desire to stay on the field, his intelligence and his versatility in the secondary, O’Connell has been named the starting free safety for Thursday’s season opener against North Dakota State (Mediacom Connections, 7 p.m.).
“He has been the most productive safety,” ISU coach Paul Rhoads said.
As O’Connell has climbed the free safety depth chart — playing with a broken or sprained thumb, according to Arnaud — James Smith has fallen to the second unit as he deals with a strained calf. Smith, who led ISU with 85 tackles last season, was sidelined by the injury, but did return for Sunday’s practice. Smith started at strong safety in 2008 and moved to free safety this fall when junior college transfer David Sims took over the strong safety spot.
Rhoads said Smith will play Thursday, and the Cyclones may rotate safeties throughout the game.
While Smith sat out, O’Connell continued to impress the coaches. Not only did the coaches name him a starter, but they also awarded him a scholarship for this season.
“He does a fantastic job of getting our secondary lined up and making the correct decisions and checks,” Rhoads said.
O’Connell does more than put people in the correct alignment.
Defensive tackle Nate Frere called O’Connell a go-getter who is as tenacious as they come. Arnaud spoke highly of O’Connell’s work ethic, while linebacker Derec Schmidgall said O’Connell is a fiery player who loves to hit.
“That’s what makes a good football player,” Schmidgall said.
O’Connell made 21 tackles last season on special teams and as a backup safety. Arnaud can’t wait to see what his roommate will do with his expanded role in 2009.
“He is very excited for what they got for him,” Arnaud said. “I’m excited, too.”
Darks to play in opener
Wide receiver Darius Darks, who has been hampered with a hamstring injury, will play Thursday. Darks has been passed on the depth chart by junior college transfer Darius Reynolds and freshman Josh Lenz.
But Rhoads doesn’t expect Darks’ injury or spot on the depth chart to keep him on the sideline for too long.
“It probably won’t affect the total number of snaps he will play if he was a starter or not,” Rhoads said.
Getting a free ride
Along with O’Connell, wide receivers Jake Williams and Joel Zitek have received scholarships for this season.
“All three of these players have earned these scholarships through their performance last spring and in fall camp,” Rhoads said. “I certainly hope this aids us in adding walk-ons in the future to our program.”
Bobby La Gesse can be reached at (515) 663-6929, or rlagesse@amestrib.com.
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