FIU Athletics

Awards
2019 Preseason Rimington Trophy Watch List
2019 Phil Steele Preseason All-Conference USA Fourth Team (OL)
2019 Athlon Sports Preseason All-Conference USA Second Team (OL)
2018 All-Conference USA Honorable Mention for Offensive Line
2017 C-USA All-Academic Team
 
2019 (SENIOR): Played and started in 12 games, getting time at guard and center… Only missed action came against Middle Tennessee (10/26/19)… Aided an offensive line that only allowed 14 sacks in 2019, which was the third-lowest total in FIU history… The 14 allowed sacks were tied for the fifth-lowest in the FBS in 2019… Helped the Panthers rush for 2,285 yards on the year, which ranked sixth overall in the league.
 
2018 (JUNIOR): Appeared in 12 games at center, starting in all 12 games… Was part of an offensive line that allowed a school-record low eight sacks all season, which ranked first in Conference USA and third overall in the nation… Connell helped the FIU offense rank first in average points per game (34.6), total touchdowns (58), total points (450), third-down conversion percentage (46.8), and fourth-down conversion percentage (65.2)… His contributions on the offensive line helped fuel a run game that accounted for 175.8 rush yards per game and 27 total rushing touchdowns, both of which ranked third overall in C-USA… Also helped FIU achieve an average of 4.8 rush yards per carry, which ranked second in C-USA.… Connell was named to the C-USA Honorable Mention Team following the season.

2017 (SOPHOMORE): Anchored the Panthers' offensive line, while starting in all 13 games... Was a part of an offensive line that set single-season school records in passing yards (3,031) and first downs (269)... FIU gained 5,100 yards of total offense in 2017, which was just 37 yards shy of setting another school record... The Panther offensive line allowed just 29 sacks on the season, which was the second-lowest total since 2011 for the program... The Panthers earned the second-most rushing touchdowns (20) and yards (2,069) in school history, while earning nine games over the century mark as a team.

2016 (FRESHMAN): Appeared in five game on the offensive line for the Panthers…On an offensive line that helped produce 4,503 yards of total offense (No. 4 all-time for yards in a season at FIU)...The Panthers rushed for 1,783 yards (third-most in school history) and produced 2,720 yards through the air...Competed on an offensive line that gained 516 yards of total offensive versus Marshall (11/19)...The Panthers rushed for 259 yards (eighth-most in school history) versus the Thundering Herd...Made collegiate debut versus Maryland (9/9)...Named to the C-USA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll (3.0 GPA-or-better).

PREP CAREER: A four-year letterwinner with First Coast High School…Helped the Buccaneers to three-straight Gateway Conference Championships (2012, 2013, 2014). In 2014, anchored a line that helped the Buccaneers throw for 3,783 yards and 47 passing touchdowns, while rushing for 1,391 yards with 22 rushing scores…In 2013, First Coast rushed for 1,959 yards and 25 touchdowns, while recording 3,013 yards and 32 TDs… A 2015 team captain…Named a North Florida Football Coaches Association first-team selection…Twin brother Douglas is also a member of the FIU football team.