Purdue football's Aidan O'Connell drafted by Las Vegas Raiders in 2023 NFL draft

WEST LAFAYETTE − From walk-on to Sin City.

Aidan O'Connell was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the final pick of the fourth round Saturday afternoon, the 135th overall pick.

O'Connell is among the most productive quarterbacks in Purdue history, racking up 9,219 passing yards and 65 touchdowns in 33 games behind center for the Boilermakers.

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O'Connell came to Purdue as a walk-on from Long Grove, Illinois.

He became a starter and over the past two seasons threw for more than 7,000 yards and 50 touchdowns. At 66.7 percent, O'Connell is the most accurate passer in Purdue history.

He now joins the Raiders, who just signed former 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppalo last month. O'Connell was drafted four picks after his top receiving target Charlie Jones, who went to the Bengals just moments before O'Connell's name was called.

O'Connell is the first Purdue quarterback drafted since Curtis Painter was taken by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round in 2009. He's the highest Purdue QB drafted since Kyle Orton was picked by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round in 2005.

The Raiders, who have chosen three Purdue players in the NFL draft all-time, hadn't selected a Boilermaker since safety Stuart Schweigert in the fourth round of the 2004 draft.

Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue football's Aidan O'Connell drafted by Las Vegas Raiders