'13 CA OLB Connor O'Brien (Verbal to Washington)

[Duff Man]

Rivals (http://rivals.yahoo.com/colorado/football/recruiting/player-Connor-O'Brien-132317)
Scout (http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=8&c=1&nid=6130618)
ESPN (http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/152000/connor-obrien)
247 Sports (http://247sports.com/Player/Connor-OBrien-19594)

http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/recruiting/ncf/players/full/152000.png&w=350&h=254
Rancho Santa Margarita Catholic H.S. (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA)

Ht: 6-foot-3
Wt: 205 lbs
40: 4.65 secs

Rivals rating: 3*-5.7rr; #30 S
Scout rating: 3*; #38 OLB
ESPN rating: 3*-77 grade; #76 ATH
247s rating: 3*-87 rating; #37 S

Reported Offers: COLORADO, Arizona State, Cal, Duke, Oregon, Oregon State, Washington, Washington State

[Duff Man]

O'Brien had a tremendous junior season for Rancho Santa Margarita and played a large role in the school winning a state title. Overall, he finished with 92 tackles and 8 INTs at safety, earning him All-Trinity League and All-Orange County honors. For those that may not know, the Trinity League is arguably the toughest league in California.

[Duff Man]

http://recruiting.scout.com/2/1160609.html


“I got my first offer from Colorado,” O’Brien said. “They actually offered me as a linebacker and feel I have the frame to grow in to the position. I talked with Brian Cabral on Sunday and when he told me they were offering, it was such a good feeling.

“This is my first offer and to have it come from Colorado is incredible. Both my dad and my uncle played at Colorado and growing up, I always rooted for the Buffs."

[Darth Snow]

http://recruiting.scout.com/2/1160609.html Super legacy win!

[Jaximus]

Hopefully this school is the next Upland or Woodson for us!

I'd be happy to land the Rancho 4!

[Buffnik]

He also had 8 picks as a sophomore.

In 2011, he made Cali-Hi Sports 2nd Team All-State for underclassmen: http://www.wavenewspapers.com/sports/Cal-Hi-Sports-names-all-state-football-teams-138165119.html?m=y&smobile=y

Rancho Santa Margarita is a program we must get in on. They're one of the elites in Cali.

Connor might be the guy to pop first.

Not only is he a legacy, he also plays hockey.
http://images.onset.freedom.com/ocvarsity/gallery/lygeoi-b78908657z.120120127025907000g3c153d80.2.jpg

This has to happen.

[Jaximus]

Looks like they only had 1 recruit go D1 last year with Max Tuerk going to USC. They had 1 the year before go to ASU.

So there is every opportunity for us to come in and create the new farm system with them.

[Heywood]

so who were dad and uncle?

[GoonieBuff]

Legacy! Come on home!

This is also more evidence as to just how much we're looking to improve our speed on defense, as that continues to be weighed much more heavily than size for recent recruits.

[Duff Man]

He now has four offers.

[DowntownBuff]

His father was Mike Kenlon. He played MLB in the late 70's and changed his name to O'Brien. The Uncle played DE for CU.

[DowntownBuff]

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/584273/connor-obrien

[sackman]

At 6'3", I'd say he certainly has the frame to grow into a stud linebacker.

[Duff Man]

His father was Mike Kenlon. He played MLB in the late 70's and changed his name to O'Brien. The Uncle played DE for CU.

His dad and uncle (George Kenlon) both starred at Servite High School in Anaheim.

http://www.ocvarsity.com/articles/football-29957-players-county.html

From O'Brien's coach:


"All the years I've been around athletics," Welch said, "there seem to be certain players who make plays. For whatever reason, these certain players are the players who force the fumbles or make the interception or the great catch. How does that happen?"

[Heywood]

thanks for the research all. rep

lets get him committed already!!

[INTHABUFF]

Visiting next week according to Adam's twitter feed

[Darth Snow]

http://colorado.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1352390


"My plan is to wait until after my senior season," O'Brien said. "It is still a long time until signing day, I still have a lot of time. I want to get all the options I can on the table so I can make an informed decision. This is what I have been working for my whole life, this has been my dream, and now that it is finally here. It is crazy." Going on a whole bunch of visits in the next few weeks, including CU.

[sliderNcider]

Sounds like he is very excited with his Cal offer, and they also want him at Safety, which he likes:

http://colorado.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1352930

[Duff Man]

I am sure he will have a glowing report of CU after Saturday.

This recruitment will be a fight.

[FLounder]

must get.

[Duff Man]

Oregon and Oregon State have jumped on board with offers after he visited each campus.

[Buffnik]

Looking like it's going to be Oregon.

[Jaximus]

Man I really hope not. We have a good IN with this guy and I think he could push for immediate playing time. Plus that is a school I'd like to see us get some in roads into!

[buff4bcs1985]

ugh hearing he will announce uw tomorrow...

[Highlander27]

Well, we went to Santa Margarita HS can got our ass handed to us by UW in recruiting.

I know many aren't predicting us to do things on the field but CU needs to find a way to get to .500 this year and push for a bowl. Sooner, the better. Unfortunately, faced with the same expectations just a few years ago, UW managed to climb the ladder or get close to it knocking off SC in the process. We need to start branding CU and winning a few games nobody expects us to.

[Duff Man]

Justin Hopkins ‏ @JHopkins247
Connor O' Brien will decide between #Oregon & #Washington tonight via @247Sports

[buff4bcs1985]

****

[Ozbuff]

Justin Hopkins ‏ @JHopkins247
Connor O' Brien will decide between #Oregon & #Washington tonight via @247Sports

He went from (1) getting his from offer from CU and saying he rooted for CU growing up to (2) saying he'll wait to finish his senior year before deciding to (3) deciding between Oregon and Washington today?? Hopefully we can flip him later if he announces today.

[Quattro]

UW

[Duff Man]

Expected after the Crane news, but still sucks.