Leon O'Neal Jr.
 O'Neal with the Edmonton Elks in 2024 | |
| No. 32 – Edmonton Elks | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Defensive back |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | December 23, 1998 Cypress, Texas, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Weight: | 204 lb (93 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Cypress (Cypress, Texas) |
| College: | Texas A&M (2018–2021) |
| Undrafted: | 2022 |
| Career history | |
| |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Roster status: | Active |
| CFL status: | American |
| Player stats at CFL.ca | |
Leon O'Neal Jr. (born December 23, 1998) is an American professional football defensive back for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Texas A&M. He has also been a member of the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL), the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL, and the Massachusetts Pirates of the Indoor Football League (IFL).
Early life
O'Neal played high school football at Cypress Springs High School in Cypress, Texas.[1][2] He recorded 78 tackles, five forced fumbles, and four pass breakups his senior year.[1] He played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.[3]
College career
O'Neal played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies from 2018 to 2021.[1][4][5] He played in all 13 games his freshman year in 2018, totaling 14 tackles, one interception and one pass breakup.[1] He appeared in all 13 games, starting 10, in 2019, accumulating 41 tackles, one interception, and three pass breakups. O'Neal started all 10 games during the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season, recording 48 tackles, two interceptions, and three pass breakups.[1] He started all 12 games during his senior season in 2021, totaling a career-high 58 tackles, one sack, five pass breakups, one fumble recovery, and two interceptions, one of which was returned 85 yards for a touchdown.[1]
Overall, he recorded 161 tackles, one sack, six interceptions, 12 pass breakups, one fumble recovery, and one touchdown during his college career.[6]
Professional career
San Francisco 49ers
After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL draft, O'Neal signed with the San Francisco 49ers on May 13, 2022.[7][8][9] He was waived/injured on August 10 and reverted to injured reserve the next day. He was waived from injured reserve on August 12, 2024.[8]
Saskatchewan Roughriders
O'Neal was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) on February 13, 2023. He was released on June 4, 2023.[8]
Massachusetts Pirates
After being released by the Roughriders, O'Neal played for the Massachusetts Pirates of the Indoor Football League (IFL). On July 2, 2023, he entered the crowd to confont a fan.[10] He was suspended indefinitely by the IFL the next day.[11]
Edmonton Elks
O'Neal signed with the Edmonton Elks of the CFL on January 17, 2024.[8]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Leon O'Neal Jr". 12thman.com. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ Holland, EJ (February 5, 2018). "Four-star DB Leon O'Neal Jr. recommits to Texas A&M". dallasnews.com. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ "Texas A&M commit Leon O'Neal Jr. celebrates U.S. Army All-American Bowl selection". USA Today. November 3, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ Miller, Alex (March 2, 2020). "Texas A&M safety Leon O'Neal not officially in transfer portal". dallasnews.com. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ Underwood, Hannah (July 1, 2020). "10 things to know about Texas A&M S Leon O'Neal Jr., including the origin of his #WakeEmUp social media campaign". dallasnews.com. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ "Leon O'Neal Jr". sports-reference.com. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ May 1, 2022. "49ers rookie safety Leon O'Neal Jr. on going undrafted: 'I will never, ever forget the names they called'". profootballnetwork.com. pp. Wilson, Aaron. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c d "Leon O'Neal". Footballdb.com. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ Dimmitt, Zach (April 30, 2022). "Aggies DB Leon O'Neal Jr. Signs Undrafted Free Agent Deal With 49ers". si.com. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ Thompson, Cole (July 6, 2023). "Aggies Ex-DB Leon O'Neal Suspended By Indoor Football League". si.com. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ "STATEMENT FROM THE COMMISSIONER". goifl.com. July 3, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2024.