O'Neil attended Cathedral High School located in Indianapolis, Indiana. During O'Neil's senior season, he completed 61.8% of his passes for 2,068 yards and 31 touchdowns to ten interceptions, while also rushing for 722 yards and eight touchdowns.[1] O'Neil finished his high school career, throwing for almost 8,000 yards and 99 touchdowns, while also adding 1,300 yards and 31 touchdowns on the ground. [2] Coming out of high school, O'Neil was rated as a three-star recruit, where he also held offers from schools such as Colorado, Indiana, Louisville, Purdue, Northwestern, San Diego State, Syracuse, Wake Forest, and West Virginia.[3][4] Initially, O'Neil committed to play college football for the Colorado Buffaloes.[5][6] However shortly after the conclusion of Colorado's regular season finale, O'Neil decided to de-commit from the Buffaloes.[7][8] Ultimately, O'Neil decided to commit to play for the San Diego State Aztecs.[9][10]
College career
San Diego State
Heading into O'Neil's true freshman season with the Aztecs in 2024, he was named the team's starting quarterback, becoming the Aztecs’ first true freshman starting quarterback.[11][12] In week one, O'Neil completed 22 of 33 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns in a victory against Texas A&M–Commerce.[13] O'Neil sustained an injury the following week in a loss to Oregon State. After sitting out a week due to injury, O'Neil threw for 246 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Central Michigan.[14] In weeks six and seven, O'Neil led the Aztecs to back to back wins against Hawaii and Wyoming where he claimed Mountain West Freshman of the Week honors both weeks.[15][16]
Wisconsin Badgers
On December 16, 2024, O'Neil transferred to the university of Wisconsin Badgers.[17]