In the Big Ten, there’s no question about the top quarterback entering the 2022 season. Ohio State QB CJ Stroud was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2021, throwing for 4,435 yards and 44 touchdowns as a starting redshirt freshman.

Behind Stroud, though, who is the No. 2 quarterback in the conference? Big Ten Network analyst Joshua Perry says it’s Purdue’s Aidan O’Connell.

“He feels the pocket as well as any quarterback in this conference,” Perry said of O’Connell. “You’d like to see him maybe maneuver it a little bit better, but just his understanding and feel of the game I think is absolutely phenomenal.”

O’Connell averaged over 355 yards per game in his 12 appearances last season. O’Connell also threw for 2 touchdowns 8 times, including each of the Boilermakers’ final 6 games.

At B1G Media Days, O’Connell said the goal is for the Boilermakers to be back at Lucas Oil Stadium in December playing in the Big Ten Championship Game. If he’s the No. 2 quarterback in the conference, he may be able to lead the Boilermakers to Indianapolis.