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learn from Weinke at an institution such as IMG. "Being able to be coached by a former Heisman Trophy winner, someone who played in the NFL, that played a big part," O'Connor told Blue White Illustrated in June 2013. "He's a true quarterback guru. Also, IMG is basically becoming a sports factory. Don't get me wrong, we take our academics very seriously. I work on school just as much as football, but IMG is run like a college program." O'Connor treated the experience if he were in a college program. He needed to do that, because IMG's playbook was thicker than that of many colleges. O'Connor drew up =ash cards detailing formations, personnel groups and o>ensive concepts. Then he would study them for hours. "He was consistent in his approach every single day," Weinke said. "He was so metic- ulous and he knew exactly what we were trying to accomplish. In a lot of our con- versations, he was asking all the right questions. You can tell a lot from what someone is asking you." Just as Weinke had hoped, O'Connor's work ethic rubbed o> on his teammates. A?er growing up in Canada and spending the previous two years in Tennessee, O'Connor had done enough traveling that he could relate to most of them. He wasn't afraid to yell at a teammate if needed, but he could also be the guy who made them laugh. "He used to get all the guys on the team around him and Mike would start to rap. I did not anticipate that," Weinke laughed. "He has a great sense of humor. He's a jokester, pulls some pranks on some guys. Away from the field, he's an easygoing guy, he likes to have some fun, but he understands what's impor- tant." O'Connor's approachability allowed players to latch onto and relate to him, Weinke said. As a result, the once unfa- miliar teammates who hailed from all over the globe were able to jell. The team went 9-2 in its ense and do the things you ask him to do." Take it from a Heisman Trophy win- ner. ■ >> fensive line, the unproven receivers, a new playbook – gets magnified without Hackenberg in the huddle. O'Connor arrived in January as an ear- ly enrollee and made significant strides during spring practice. Even though he had a longer period in which to accli- mate, O'Connor didn't arrive as college- ready as Hackenberg. Nonetheless, O'Connor might be relied on as the No. 2 QB this fall. That's unless incoming freshman Trace McSorley, a dual-threat prospect from Virginia, makes a case that, with his athleticism, he is better suited to be the backup. Walk-on D.J. Crook will make a case, too. – T.O. * Starting experience in 2013 QUARTERBACK NO NAME YR HT WT 14 Christian Hackenberg So. 6-4 234 15 Michael O'Connor Fr. 6-4 226 9 Trace McSorley Fr. 6-0 192 17 D.J. Crook Fr. 6-1 213 SOPHOMORE SURGE Hackenberg is back after throwing for 2,955 yards and 20 touchdowns as a true freshman. Steve Manuel

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