OConnor joins Nittany Lions

The Nittany Lion coaching staff continues to prove that Penn State is becoming a hotspot for quarterbacks, as four-star Michael O'Connor verbally committed to Bill O'Brien and Charlie Fisher on Saturday.

Along with Clayton Thorson, who verbally committed to Northwestern back in March, O'Connor has been at the top of Penn State's quarterback recruiting board for months. His commitment now gives Fisher and O'Brien two, top 10 quarterbacks in the past two years when you include Christian Hackenberg, who's set to enroll at Penn State in a few weeks.

"I felt like overall it is the best fit for me," O'Connor said. "They have great academics - a good business program - and I can go in there and compete for a starting job. They are a pro-style offense, which is big. Coach O'Brien is a great coach and I love Coach Fisher, so it is just a great fit overall."

At 6-foot-5, 223 pounds, O'Connor is ranked 8th in the nation for pro-style quarterbacks. He's a member of the Rivals250, coming in at 188th overall and 25th overall in the state of Florida. He gathered 10 additional offers, including such programs as Michigan State, Mississippi State, Missouri, Rutgers, South Florida and Vanderbilt.

Originally from Ontario, Canada, O'Connor transferred to the Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee before his sophomore season. Just recently, he made the move to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., where he now works with former Heisman trophy winner Chris Weinke.

Blue White Illustrated will have much more on O'Connor when he becomes available.