Kevin O'Connor
Kevin O'Connor
Collapses the pocket even when the sack doesn't come. Second year in the Duke defensive front, same address the whole way. One game to point at: 5 tackles, 1 TFL against Arizona State — Bowl, 2025.
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
- positional archetype classification
- seasons on the roster
- game log
Career Arc
2025 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
Splits & context
Supporting Cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Manny Diaz
Career stats
Signature game
SIGNATURE GAME · Week 15 · 2025
W 27–20
at Virginia
6 rush yds (1 car)
A wire-to-wire battle — won by 7 on the road.
How he plays
Play style
Collapses the pocket even when the sack doesn't come.
CFB Index positional classification
2026 Outlook
Duke
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Defensive end · Duke
Returning around him
- 3 Duke players drafted to NFL
- Transfer portal: +2 net (19 in / 17 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
Duke · Last season: 9-5 · Talent rank #58 · 2026 recruiting class #71
DNA match
Player DNA
Pressure Merchant
Collapses the pocket even when the sack doesn't come.
His 2025 production profile sits closest to Mekhi Buchanan’s 2023 season.
Matches Mekhi on
Differs from Mekhi on
Not enough data yet for this comparison.
As a sophomore, his production profile tracks closest to Jacob Cruz's sophomore season at Jacksonville State (2025).
Matches Jacob on
Background
2026: Returning defensive end ... two-time Academic All-ACC selection (2024-25) ... member of the Duke Dean’s List for the spring 2026 semester ... in 27 career games, has compiled 19 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks and four QB pressures ... added a six-yard run on a fake punt in 2025 … earned 2+ tac...