2014 TE ONeill on the verge of offers
College interest is growing for Wilmington (Dela.) Salesianum School 2014 tight end Brian O'Neill. The 6-foot-6, 235-pounder has yet to pull an offer, but believes a few schools including the most recent school he visited may be close.
"I'm getting a pretty good amount of interest, it helps having Troy (Reeder) at my school," he said. "There are a few teams that have hinted they are close to offering, Delaware, Rutgers and Maryland recently. Other schools have picked up their interest like Penn State, James Madison and Michigan."
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What makes O'Neill believe he's close to offers?
"Delaware is the school most actively recruiting me now," he said. "I have a good relationship with the coaches and they like that I'm 6-foot-6. Rutgers and Maryland want me to come to a game and the coaches want to see me in person."
Meanwhile, Penn State received a visit from O'Neill this past weekend.
"It was nice and very fun," he stated. "It was a good crowd and a nice environment there. I met all the coaches and they were very welcoming. They said they might be out to see me a game of mine in person soon. They mentioned they would be closely watching me."
It was the tight end's first trip to State College and he enjoyed it.
"I liked it a lot," he said. "It was very nice and real big."
More visits are likely for O'Neill as he's eyeing trips to Delaware and Maryland still.
So, does he like anyone?
"I always grew up a fan of Penn State," he said. "I'm was pretty excited when they asked me to come for a visit. I model my game after Andrew Szczerba, I'm actually pretty close family friends with him and his family. I know them well."
Though O'Neill is a standout, he hasn't gotten a lot of opportunities this season.
"I have only gotten four passes thrown to me and caught two for 110-yards and two touchdowns," he said. "We don't throw the ball that much, we've thrown it 21 times all year.
"I am playing defense and I have five or six sacks. I'm trying to be as disruptive as I can."
What stands out about the tight end?
"On offense, I think it's mostly my blocking," he said. "Obviously I block a lot and I think I'm a solid blocker. That's one of our strengths, running behind me. I also have the ability to go up and over defenders.
"Defensively, I just have the ability to cause problems for the opposing team."
Though he is a Division II and III prospect, O'Neill is focusing on football for the next level.