Major: Communication (2001-02), Undeclared (1999-00)

Weight: 230 (2000-02), 215 (1999)

2002 Media Guide: Pat O’Neill is a backup linebacker at the SAM position … also plays on the special teams … intelligent athlete with a fine work ethic … has good range when pursuing the ball … played in all 12 games last year and is a veteran of 24 games the past two seasons, although the majority of his playing time has come with the various special teams units … finished the year with five tackles, all solo stops … highly recruited out of high school and considered one of the top linebacker prospects in the Midwest, but is playing at a
position where Ohio State has excellent depth and has had to wait his turn … should see his most extensive action this year.

2001 Season: Credited with five tackles on the year, all solo stops … had a career-high three tackles at Indiana.

2001 Media Guide: Pat O’Neill is the backup linebacker at the SAM position … also plays on the special teams … good athlete with a fine work ethic … played in all 12 games last year, logging a total of 31 minutes … was in on six tackles … plays one of the deepest positions on the team, so may have to be patient in terms of playing time … highly recruited out of high school and considered one of the top linebacker prospects in the Midwest.

2000 Season: Credited with four solos and two assists … also had a tackle-for-loss … recorded his first collegiate tackle in the season opener vs. Fresno State … had two tackles at Iowa … tackle-for-loss came in the win over Penn State.

2000 Media Guide: Pat O’Neill is the Christmas present the Ohio State coaches can’t wait to unwrap. After being redshirted last season, the talents of this 6-3, 230 pound linebacker with good quickness are yet to be put on full display. O’Neill has visibly benefited from time in the weight room in the offseason and will continue to learn Ohio State’s defensive schemes and adjust to the college game this year. “We’re anxious to see Pat play,” Brian Williams, linebacker coach, said. “He’s got a great work ethic and a good demeanor to play linebacker.” O’Neill is listed as the primary backup to Joe Cooper at Ohio State’s weakside linebacker spot on the preseason depth chart and should get every opportunity to earn his first minutes of collegiate playing time this year.

1999: Redshirted.

High School: The Ohio Division III Defensive Player of the Year as selected by the Associated Press following his senior season … recorded 93 tackles, 22 tackles-for-loss and six quarterback sacks for a 13-1 Walsh Jesuit team that finished as the state runner-up … a USA Today honorable mention All-American … had 90 tackles and five sacks as a junior … rated by Ohio Recruiting News’ Bill Kurelic as the second-best linebacker in the state of Ohio … from high school that produced current Buckeye Darik Warnke and defensive line great and All-American Mike Vrabel … the son of Mary and Daniel O’Neill.