One of the coolest things in college athletics is when a walk-on athlete gets the announcement that he or she will be going on scholarship. The USC Trojans just made one such announcement and caught it all on video.
Redshirt Junior Offensive Lineman Kilian O’Connor will be going on scholarship this season.
Kilian O’Connor Goes From Zero-Star Recruit To USC Trojans Scholarship
O’Connor was a local high school player and he attended the famed Santa Margarita Catholic High School. He was a zero-star recruit and walked on to USC in Lincoln Riley’s first season as head coach in 2022.
Since being on campus, he has been an instrumental depth piece and even got the start for the USC Trojans in the Las Vegas Bowl this past season with starter Jonah Monheim preparing for the NFL Draft.
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These are the stories that make college football so special. We get wrapped up talking about 5 stars and the players that every school wants. But there are so many players who get overlooked who end up making huge impacts.
“My dad was a walk-on, my grandpa was a walk-on, this is something that’s really special for me, and I just thank you guys every day for making it easy to show up,” O’Connor said.
As it stands, the starting interior offensive line will most likely be RG Alani Noa, and transfers C J’Onre Reed and LG DJ Wingfield. But do not count out O’Connor to push for one of those starting spots.
He knows the system and has been with the program since 2022. At a minimum, he has turned into a really solid depth player and spot starter.
Congrats, Kilian O’Connor.