Big Board ranking: #62
Positional ranking: #8
Overview
Position: OT
College: UCLA
Class: Senior (RS)
Age: 23
Measurables
Height: 6’3 1/2”
Weight: 300 lbs.
Arm length: 33 7/8″
Hand size: 9 1/4″
Athletic testing
40-yard dash: N/A
10-yard split: N/A
Vertical jump: N/A
Broad jump: N/A
Bench press: N/A
3-cone drill: N/A
Short shuttle: N/A
Strengths
Very solid and athletic build. Tremendous natural athleticism. Above-average strength. Experience with a variety of blocks in Chip Kelly’s offense. Extremely light feet as a mobile blocker. Hands are big and aggressive. Does a great job staying engaged as a run blocker. Tremendous burst working to the second level. Will get all the way to the third level to wipe out safeties. Very good acceleration on interior pulls and pulls to the perimeter. Able to seal on runs to the edge. Great vision and awareness in space. Able to overpower smaller defenders. Always hustles to get out in front and make a block. Often used unique shuffle footwork for movement blocks. Very smooth hips to reset positioning. Plays with ideal balance and rarely ends up on the ground. Packs a punch in his hands. Has natural mirror skills that should shine if correctable issues are overcome. Holds up well versus power rushes. Impressive recovery ability as a pass protector. Uses length to push edge rushers off the path when they get a step. Prepared to stop inside moves. Athleticism shown with two career touchdowns. Starting left tackle at both Rutgers and UCLA.
Weaknesses
Can speed up the pace of his slides in pass protection. Needs to be faster and have more depth versus speed rushers. Sometimes has a gather motion before extending. Would like to see increased patience in pass protection. Struggles to stay in front at the top of rushes. Hands will wrap around the shoulders at times.
NFL comparison
Christian Darrisaw
Conclusion
Overall, O’Neal is an experienced left tackle with impressive effectiveness as a run blocker and promise in pass protection. Considering the lack of buzz he’s generated in the media, O’Neal is perhaps the most undervalued prospect in the 2023 class.