Leon O'Neal Jr. NFL Draft Profile
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Leon O'Neal Jr. Scouting ReportLeon is an imposing downhill threat, demonstrating impressive closing speed. He can fly into the backfield from an athletic standpoint, possessing quick footwork to help him navigate through traffic and lay a hit on the quarterback or ball carrier. There are also good examples of backpedaling on his tape. O'Neal Jr. has a reputation as a heavy hitter since his high school days, which is apparent on his tape. He does his best work in and around the box where he can lower his shoulder, lay the boom, and punish quarterbacks and running backs alike. O'Nealr Jr. has above-average length enhances his ability as a tackler. At 6'1", he demonstrates that he can use that length in coverage. He does his best work coming downhill, he has flashed ability in coverage. His ability to click and close is apparent in short-to-intermediate coverage. |
Areas for ImprovementO’Neal doesn’t possess exceptional long speed. During his high school career, he was clocked at 4.76 seconds in the 40-yard dash. While it was claimed he played faster than that in high school, he certainly lacks the top-end speed of other prospects. Leon has mainly played as a split-field safety, and his lack of experience and athletic limitations means he is unlikely to play single high at the next level. Although he has been disruptive in coverage in the short and intermediate areas of the field, there are some improvements to be made in man coverage in terms of route recognition and ensuring he finishes plays. |
Leon O'Neal Jr. Career at Texas A&MDespite his impressive recruiting profile, O’Neal spent most of his freshman season working on special teams. He registered defensive stats in just five of his 12 regular-season appearances. A solitary tackle for loss against Alabama was the only notable contribution. However, in the bowl game against NC State, the Texas A&M safety gave fans a glimpse of his star potential. His then-career-high 6 tackles included a tackle for loss. Meanwhile, he snagged his first career interception, running the pick for 25 yards. The performance was a catalyst to a starting role at safety as a sophomore. In the season opener against Texas State, O’Neal added another interception to his résumé. Although his reputation as a hard-hitting strong safety was enhanced with 41 tackles, including 3 tackles for loss, he showed development in coverage with pass breakups against Mississippi State, South Carolina, and LSU. With the expectation that O’Neal would be a key leader in the secondary in 2020, he dropped a surprise spanner into the works before spring camp. Following a series of terrifying tweets for Texas A&M fans, it appeared that their star safety had entered the transfer portal. |
Leon O'Neal Jr. NFL Draft Player ProfileFor the second consecutive year, he opened the campaign with an interception. Having been influential in coverage against LSU in 2019, he again tortured the Tigers, logging his first multiple-pass-breakup game. A team-leading and career-high 8 tackles in a win over Auburn put the cap on a season of highlights. O’Neal amassed a career-high 48 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 5 pass deflections. His performances throughout 2020 put his name on the map as a potential sleeper safety in the 2021 NFL Draft class. O’Neal opted to come back for his senior year. With his return alongside safety stablemate Demani Richardson, the Aggies have one of the best safety duos in college football this fall. Both have the opportunity to be in the top 10 safeties in the 2022 NFL Draft class. Furthermore, O’Neal heads into the season as a top-100 player. |
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