Summer workouts, recess football fuel O'Connell in position change

Pickup football offers little value to linemen; there’s no blocking. It’s far more enjoyable to be a receiver anyway.

During school, longtime Red Wing lineman Liam O’Connell had inadvertent chances to work on his hands.

“I've been a lineman my whole life. So that helps with the blocking,” said Red Wing's new tight end. “Catching, just practice. Recess football is really helping with that.”

Although the routes during recess aren’t as elaborate as the ones on the field.

“Just Hail Mary's every play. Just run into the end zone, jump and catch it,” O’Connell said.

O’Connell was one of several multi-year players on the offensive line for the Wingers. This year, he’s become the Heath Miller to Winger quarterback Kemper Thorson. A blend of blocking and receiving, O’Connell has drawn high praise from the coaching staff as he works regularly at tight end or split out wide.

“When Kemper starts struggling or doing any type of scramble whatsoever, Liam is a big, tall kid and he does (get open space in the field). He kind of glides with (Kemper) and once his arms go up, usually we get a few yards out of him,” said head coach Pat Kelly. “Liam is the secondary guy unless it's preplanned for that. When Kemper goes out to scramble, just look for him. Generally, he does. He finds that pocket behind the linebackers.”

“Since the beginning of the season, coach (Cory) Thorson has been telling me to find the green grass,” O’Connell said on his transition to tight end. “A lot of our routes at the W position is just find the green grass and get the ball, then go forward. He's really helped me learn the position.”

Most of O’Connell’s routes end up looking like a short curl or hook. If Kemper Thorson begins to scramble, there is O’Connell drifting through the open space in the middle of the field with a hand up. If he’s not needed or open for a pass, he’s finding the nearest defender and making sure to get a block in for Thorson.

In a game against La Crescent-Hokah, O’Connell made a diving catch in the end zone. Full extension dive to snag the pass; it was ruled a good catch, but a flag nullified the touchdown. Either way, one to add to the highlight reel.

“I turned around and saw the flag and it crushed me. I'm still glad I got my touchdown later,” O’Connell said. “We still got a touchdown after and that's all that matters.”

O’Connell said he knew there might be a role for him somewhere in the offense if he wasn’t on the line. He already has the height advantage on most. Yet as a lineman, he wasn’t sure about his overall size.

Coming into the summer, he weighed around 200 pounds. O’Connell made the commitment to shed some weight and improve his fast-twitch muscles.

“I wanted to do it for myself,” he said. “I knew coming into the season that I was kind of too lightweight to be a lineman being like 200 pounds and then having to go against someone who is like 220, 230. I really focused on going to the weight room. Doing plyometrics, running, cardio. I got myself down to 190.”

For his efforts in the weight room, O’Connell feels his reaction on the ball has taken a big step up. He feels more explosive off the ball, and getting the first couple steps in has been quicker than season’s past.

Injuries have unfortunately piled up for the Red Wing. That has elevated O’Connell to have to make more happen in the passing attack as well as stay engaged up front on the defensive line.

O’Connell has been a consistent No. 2 option in the passing game. Cody Roschen draws a double team in coverage, which leaves either Carson Dankers, Lincoln Chandler or O’Connell potentially open.

He ranks among the top receivers in the Blue District. Through five games, he has 20 receptions for 220 yards and a touchdown. He ranks third in receptions and fifth in receiving yards among Blue District receivers with at least 75 yards.