Q&A: Andover's Connor Wilkie Has a Strong Arm, and Gophers Interest

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Andover's Connor Wilkie Has a Strong Arm, and Gophers Interest
By Chris Monter

http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/180453?referrer_id=388419


Connor Wilkie, a 6-foot-5, 200-pound junior quarterback from Andover (MN) High, is perhaps the state’s most talented signal caller. He may also been one of the consistent as he has thrown three touchdowns in all four games this year. Wilkie has attended the past two Minnesota Golden Gopher home football games and recently talked to GopherHole.com about his junior season and early recruitment.

Wilkie has completed 43 of 73 passes for 690 yards and 12 touchdowns. He completed 19 of 30 passes for 256 yards in a 24-23 loss to Edina in the opener. Wilkie converted on 17 of 31 attempts for 303 yards in a 27-20 loss to Anoka.

He was 13 of 21 for 177 yards in a 34-13 win over Coon Rapids. Wilkie completed 13 of 21 passes for 210 yards in a 21-14 win over Elk River last week.

Wilkie started as a sophomore, completing 78 of 146 passes for 628 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions.

Gopher Hole: You played in one of the toughest conferences in the state. What are the expectations for the rest of the year?

Connor Wilkie: We want to get some big wins coming up. We have a few games marked on our calendar that we want to win. We just need to keep playing as a team. Our running game is coming around. Our pass game is doing well. If we keep doing what we are doing, we are going to win some games this year.

Gopher Hole: How about your play so far this year?

Connor Wilkie: It is not just me. Our line has been doing fantastic. Our pass blocking is something else right now. Our receivers are making plays, so we have played pretty well.

Gopher Hole: What camps did you get a chance to go to this summer?

Connor Wilkie: I went to the University of South Dakota camp and then I went to the Gopher camp.

Gopher Hole: I know that it is still early, being only a junior, but what schools are you hearing from right now?

Connor Wilkie: I have only heard from UND and the Gophers right now.

Gopher Hole: What things are you really working on to continue to improve yourself as a player?

Connor Wilkie: My foot work. My speed and strength is a big one right now. I really want to get faster in the offseason. My foot work in the pocket. I can move around and make some plays and keep players alive.

Gopher Hole: Do you come from a football family?

Connor Wilkie: My oldest brother plays college football at the University of Mary in North Dakota. My dad has been coaching high school football for about 20 years, so it is a big part.

Gopher Hole: Have you thought about camps for next year?

Connor Wilkie: I obviously want to go to the Gopher one again. I will go to UND and South Dakota one. If I get an invites, I’ll probably go.

Gopher Hole: What do you see as your strengths as a quarterback?

Connor Wilkie: Obviously, I am more of a passer than a runner, but I like to go downfield and keep plays alive.

Gopher Hole: Do you play any other sports at Andover?

Connor Wilkie: Yes. I also play basketball and I am the captain of the team.

Gopher Hole: At 6-foot-5, do you see your size being a big advantage to you in being able to see over linemen?

Connor Wilkie: Yes, it is an advantage. Right now, our lineman are about 5-11 or six foot. I am 6-5, so it is easy to see over the top, so it is a big advantage.
 



i've seen connor play twice. it will be interesting to see if his recruitment picks up after this year heading into his senior year.
 

Saw him play against Edina early in the season, and the kid throws an absolute rope. I don't think he runs like a typical Kill recruit. They also had a couple of massive looking offensive linemen, but I couldn't find anything about them, recruiting-wise. But it might be too early for them to get any run.
 


I saw him play once this year as well and he threw some beautiful passes with nice touch. He has a strong arm but clearly is not just a gunslinger.
 

MN football hub says he's actually passed for almost 1,000 yds, not 690 like the interview says. Either way impressive. I saw him play against Coon Rapids this year. He's the real deal.
 

And a lefty! Seems to do alright moving to his right.
 

some solid parenting

at the :23 mark with the kid basically running onto the playing field. He was nearly wiped out.
 



I live in Andover and have been to their home games this year. He definitely has the size and arm strength to play at the next level. I saw him miss on several passes that I thought should have been fairly easy completions, but the accuracy can be improved - and he's only a Junior. From what I've seen, he's also a good teammate and leader already, which I would assume is attractive to schools looking at him.

Frankly, his game reminds me a lot of Shortel's....very similar style.
 

From his videos his throwing style looks to be a little more of a pusher than a prototypical thrower. Hopefully he can get that cleaned up because the kid has solid measurables
 

CurveballJesus said:
From his videos his throwing style looks to be a little more of a pusher than a prototypical thrower. Hopefully he can get that cleaned up because the kid has solid measurables
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Let's keep in mind that these are his highlights as a Sophomore, Varsity, 6A quarterback. If you can get to an Andover game this year, do it. Obviously the gophers are trying to get on board first before he starts getting recruited elsewhere.
 

This kid is the real deal. Best QB in the NW Surburban Conference. We played against Andover last week and he fits the part. Is he a D-1 BCS QB? Personally, he needs to improve quite a bit, based off his interview he seems aware of what he needs to improve (it also helps that his dad is his head coach). I believe he'll be a tweaner, highly regarded D-2 to somewhat marginal D-1 FBS recruit. Time will tell, I wish him the best though.
 



I also think he has a bit of a pusher passing motion. He seems to be very accurate but this is a highlight film.
 

GoldenGopher88 said:
This kid is the real deal. Best QB in the NW Surburban Conference. We played against Andover last week and he fits the part. Is he a D-1 BCS QB? Personally, he needs to improve quite a bit, based off his interview he seems aware of what he needs to improve (it also helps that his dad is his head coach). I believe he'll be a tweaner, highly regarded D-2 to somewhat marginal D-1 FBS recruit. Time will tell, I wish him the best though.
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I think you hit the nail on the head. He's very good but still has work to do if he wants to have his pick in the Big 10. I live in Coon Rapids and (because of my nephew I'm forced to) watch them on Friday nights. But I might sneak over to Andover and catch one more game this season. I can't take much more of their struggle :p
 

GoldenGopher88 said:
This kid is the real deal. Best QB in the NW Surburban Conference. We played against Andover last week and he fits the part. Is he a D-1 BCS QB? Personally, he needs to improve quite a bit, based off his interview he seems aware of what he needs to improve (it also helps that his dad is his head coach). I believe he'll be a tweaner, highly regarded D-2 to somewhat marginal D-1 FBS recruit. Time will tell, I wish him the best though.
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Better than Garrison really?
 

Not even close. Wilkie is miles ahead of any other QB in his conference. I'd say he's easily the best quarterback in state for the junior class. Probably 3rd or 4th overall currently.
 

Best passer yes but hes not the best quarterback. It's not up for debate either considering he was all conference last year.
 

Garrison is a very good QB, take nothing away from him. As a QB coach in the NW Suburban Conference, I would rate him behind Wilkie though. Much more upside with Wilkie, he's only a Junior, great size and athleticism. He's very knowledgeable on reading defenses and coverages, has a lot of poise in the pocket. I know personally that college coaches love players that have fathers as high school coaches. He's the best JR QB I have seen in this conference since James Peterson of Blaine.
 

The reason why it looks like he is pushing it is because he doesn't have a hitch in his release. The ball goes straight to his ear and out instead of bringing it down in a looping motion. However, it does look quasi-Riversesque
 

I looked on Hudl and found current highlights from this year (his junior year), but I don't have the Silverlight software plug-in so I can't view it.
 


Tweet from this afternoon: "@Cwilkie11: Headin' down to the "U" to watch some #gophers practice! #pumped"

Go Gophers!!
 

Go4 said:
i've seen connor play twice. it will be interesting to see if his recruitment picks up after this year heading into his senior year.
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I don't see Him in the BIG. Andovers conference is really down this year. The young man from Roseville is the real deal. He doesn't have the support around him.
 

Mvgopher said:
I don't see Him in the BIG. Andovers conference is really down this year. The young man from Roseville is the real deal. He doesn't have the support around him.
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You're kidding right? 6'5" 200 pounds and leading the metro in passing yards and touchdowns..... also, Andover played Totino and lost on an extra point (best team in the state) and lost to Edina by 1 (next best team in state). Check your facts.

PS- Don't make an account and on your first post come on to rip a recruit.
 

HopherGole said:
You're kidding right? 6'5" 200 pounds and leading the metro in passing yards and touchdowns..... also, Andover played Totino and lost on an extra point (best team in the state) and lost to Edina by 1 (next best team in state). Check your facts.

PS- Don't make an account and on your first post come on to rip a recruit.
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Wasn't ripping a recruit. He's a good quarterback with another year. In seeing both play, my opinion is Jaques has a better upside. He's the best I've seen in the SEC since Alt from CDH and Weber From Mounds View. Plus, Roseville is still playing as a five seed. Year in and out leading passers are not D1 caliber quarterbacks in MN. I believe Wilkie.

PS- Kill (staff)knows far better than I would. I really believe in who and how he's recruiting.
 

I've seen Wilkie play, I've seen Travis, Copa, and the Fridley kid who's names escapes me. However, I haven't seen Jaques so I can't make a good comparison. But what I do know is that this 2014 class is packed with big QBs with big numbers. Whatever kids they offer from this class will have to be the real deal. Coach Z will have his pick of the litter in MN. Unless Travis goes somewhere for basketball and Copa takes a hockey scholarship. Time will tell
 

per Doogie scoops:

"The Gophers had Andover junior quarterback Connor Wilkie as a visitor at practice this week. Said his dad, Rich, also his coach: "No offer yet. To this point it's just unofficial gameday visits. I'm sure things will pick up after the season. I'm sure they are still working on this years seniors. Since he is only a junior, he might not be a priority."

http://m.1500espn.com/pages/sportswire.php?sID=5935

Go Gophers!!
 

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lWbgHEDrSFs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 

Great video quality. You can tell his dad is the head coach.
 

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