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FIU, UCF interested in multi-sport star O'Neill - 06/24/2008 - MiamiHerald.com

BIG TACKLER

Besides being second on the team in tackles, O'Neill returned a fumble and interception for touchdowns, returned a kickoff 73 yards for a touchdown in the state final against Kissimmee Osceola and led the Raiders defense in tackles for loss and sacks.

''He's a football player,'' said St. Thomas coach George Smith, when asked what stands out most about O'Neill. ``Conor is a prototype football player. He's an athlete, very intelligent, he runs around real well and he's fearless.''

Because ''he runs around real well,'' O'Neill did not begin his football career on defense. Instead he was a receiver/tight end as a sophomore, but Smith was intrigued by what O'Neill could do on defense.

''This kid has got to play, let's see what he can do,'' recalled Smith of a conversation he had with his assistants two years ago. ``We ended up moving him to outside linebacker that spring. He had a great season for us.''

Despite having a strong first season on defense, the transition wasn't easy at first for O'Neill

''It was a little rough because you're catching balls and getting away from being hit,'' O'Neill said. ``But then I was giving the punishment. After the first week, I picked it up and I started loving it. It was rough getting used to the plays. The whole defensive mindset where I had to get used to reading the offenses instead of adjusting to what the defenses were giving.''

The 6-1, 200-pound O'Neill has been thriving attacking offenses ever since.

Last season, he had 67 tackles (56 solo), 16 tackles for loss that totaled 104 yards, and seven sacks. All of which has schools such as Florida International, Auburn, Central Florida and Florida Atlantic knocking on O'Neill's door.

A TOP PROSPECT

Said Miami Herald recruiting analyst Larry Blustein: ``While many remember his return for a touchdown on a kickoff in the 5A state championship win over Kissimmee Osceola, some are not aware of the fact that this former receiver/tight end was among the top tacklers for the Raiders. Also a tremendous baseball prospect.''

One factor that could determine where O'Neill goes to college is the ability to play both football and baseball.

O'Neill, a big fan of multi-sport athletes Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders, plans on getting a scholarship for football and then trying to walk-on for baseball. He ''definitely'' would like to play both sports at the Division I level.