"Friday Night Commander: Tough, Trusted, and Born for the Blitz"

Conor Drnek

@conordrnek

IG: @conordrnek

6’2”, 205lbs | Class of 2027

Dover HSNY)

Conor is a fierce and explosive two-way force, an electric dual-threat quarterback and punishing linebacker who plays the game with purpose, power, and poise. On offense, he's a dynamic playmaker with the vision, toughness, and football IQ to pick defenses apart. His footwork is crafty, his reads are elite, and his ability to extend plays makes him a nightmare to scheme against. Flip to the other side of the ball, and he becomes a relentless defender flying downhill, filling gaps, and punishing ball carriers relentlessly. What separates Conor from the rest is his rare blend of intelligence and grit. He doesn’t just play fast, he plays smart. From film room to fourth quarter, he’s always two steps ahead. Whether he's breaking down coverages at quarterback or diagnosing run fits at linebacker, Conor is the heartbeat of his team, and the fire never fades.

This past season, Conor racked up 98 tackles, ranking 21st in New York State and 2nd among all sophomores, with 4 sacks, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery, and two forced fumbles. As a quarterback, he rushed for 789 yards with four 100+ yard games, scored 7 rushing touchdowns, added 4 two-point conversions, and threw for 413 passing yards and 4 more touchdowns. His breakout sophomore year earned him a First Team All-Section 9 selection at both linebacker and qrback. He also received the Dragon Award for Leadership and Hard Work, was named a Poughkeepsie Journal First Team All-Star linebacker, Poughkeepsie Journal Athlete of the Week, Dover High School Athlete of the Week, and won the team’s Work Horse/Top Dog Award.

Even as a freshman, Conor set the tone early, earning the Most Improved Offensive Player, a Scholar Varsity Athlete honor in football, a Dragon Award in basketball, and Scholar Varsity Athlete recognition in track. Academically, he’s just as dominant, maintaining a 3.9 GPA in AP courses, making the Dean’s List, earning High Honor Roll, and becoming a member of the National Junior Honor Society.

This offseason, he’ll be locked into 7v7 competitions to build chemistry and timing with his receivers, though he knows real games bring a different level. His first-ever quarterback snap came mid-game during his freshman year, and he responded by launching a 75-yard touchdown. Since then, he’s trained with multiple quarterback coaches and fine-tuned both sides of his game. The team’s success last season fuels his fire even more, especially the moment they knocked off the defending state champion with a fourth-quarter comeback, capped by his 20-yard touchdown pass to teammate Matt Ogana.

Conor thrives under pressure, plays with unmatched energy, and gives everything for his coaches, his teammates, and his blue-collar hometown fans who fill the stands every Friday night. He’s calm in chaos, vocal when it counts, and fully committed to improvement. Whether it’s game planning, practicing, or staying after to study film, Conor takes complete responsibility for his growth and performance.

His ultimate goal is to play at the highest level of college football. He understands that reaching the DI FBS level will take consistent grind, daily discipline, and continued physical growth. He’s received interest from schools across all divisions and recently visited practices at Penn State, Syracuse, Monmouth, and Boston College. With a full calendar of spring and summer camps, combines, and showcases ahead, every opportunity is a step toward his dream.

For Conor, the perfect school is one that pushes him on the field and in the classroom, where coaches care about the whole athlete but demand excellence in everything. He thrives on competition, embraces challenges, and lives by the mindset that nothing worth achieving comes easy. He is driven by his own personal code: "Be yourself, trust God, and work hard. Never blame a teammate; lift them up. Take responsibility for everything."

I assess that Conor brings a rare combination of strength, leadership, and intelligence. His ability to dominate on both sides of the ball, lead under pressure, and hold himself to a high standard make him a game-changer at the next level. His mindset and motor will immediately elevate any locker room and defensive or offensive unit he’s part of.

Expect Conor to rise even further. With continued development at quarterback and linebacker, and a mindset built for pressure, he has the potentil to become one of the most impactful players in his class. His presence, preparation, and production point toward a player who isn’t just ready for college football, he’s built for it. Stay tuned.