‘One of the most locked-in guys in the room’: Elijah O’Neal’s Focus Helping Preseason Emergence

(Photo: Spencer Barnes/WCSN)

Elijah O’Neal isn’t the most vocal member of Arizona State’s defense when on the field, a characteristic he embraces.

That’s not to say that the senior edge rusher hasn’t established himself as a role model for a relatively new crop of 22 defensive linemen that includes eight transfers, three true freshmen and 11 returners. Along with redshirt junior Clayton Smith and redshirt senior Prince Dorbah, O’Neal has developed into a formidable threat on the outside, adding increased flare to a group first-year defensive line coach Diron Reynolds feels is incredibly deep.

Since the spring, the former California Community College Athletic Association All-American has made significant strides, improving with virtually every rep. After picking up two sacks during last Saturday’s scrimmage at Mountain America Stadium, head coach Kenny Dillingham even dubbed O’Neal as possibly the Sun Devils’ most improved player over the offseason.

He doesn’t need to use his words to inspire his teammates. His play, fueled by heavy attention to detail and a gritty mindset, has done all of the talking.

“The younger guys, they look at me,” O’Neal said. “I just want to set a good example. So always going first in drills, always being the first in line to make sure they know what they’re doing… I feel like I’m more of a quiet leader than a vocal leader, so I just show it in my work.”

In 2023, his first season with the Sun Devils, O’Neal already possessed the physical attributes of a successful edge rusher with a 6-foot-4-inch, 245-pound frame and two strong JUCO seasons under his belt. He may have been a raw talent, but what he accomplished with Butte College — a program that has produced NFL talents like four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers and Hall of Fame guard Larry Allen — was a testament to his potential.

The then-sophomore unlocked a new gear in the 2022 season, his second at Butte College, which ended with him being named an All-American. Playing in 11 contests, O’Neal accrued 66 total tackles along with the third-most tackles for loss (26) and sacks (14.5) in the California Community College Athletic Association, making him a coveted three-star JUCO prospect out of the transfer portal by all of the major recruiting services.

Dillingham and his staff were instantly drawn to O’Neal, noticing his explosive ability and willingness to be hard-nosed in the trenches.

“Physicality and a motor,” Dillingham said. “He was big, he was physical and had a motor. And if you’re big, physical and have a motor, the rest will probably take care of itself.”

He quickly got his feet wet in the Division I ranks, seeing the field in all 12 of ASU’s contests in 2023 while racking up 11 total tackles, 1.5 of which were for a loss. Calling his first season with the Sun Devils a “struggle”, however, O’Neal knew he could yield stronger results. He just needed to work towards it.

O’Neal took his first full offseason in Tempe as an opportunity to grow in a new facet. He became a model student of the game, watching film daily and searching for even the smallest imperfection he exhibited. Upon arriving at his house following each practice in the fall, he rushes to check if the film has been posted, eager to find ways to improve.

He also strives to make the most of his reps. In an individual period during Tuesday’s practice, O’Neal made a mistake on a drill before a quick exchange with Reynolds, proceeding to jump to the front of the line to give it another try. His next rep was far better, with him giving even more effort and getting it right.

Actions like those have set a precedent among his teammates.

“He’s probably one of the most locked-in guys in the room,” first-year defensive line coach Diron Reynolds said. “He wants to meet all the time, he asks great questions. [He’s] probably more of a leader by example. You watch his tape, you watch how he hustles through the ball, how he throws his body around. I think the guys really respect that.”

Even while blossoming into a force on the edge for the Sun Devils, O’Neal’s desire to get better every day is unrelenting, a trait that culminated during his time at Butte College. Being at a JUCO, resources typically offered at a Power Four institution like ASU weren’t readily available. This didn’t affect O’Neal on the field but rather served as a reminder that nothing is given and to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way.

Once a transfer who only had two Power Conference offers, O’Neal certainly capitalized on one of the few chances given to him and has done so again in fall camp. He now has a legitimate shot at seeing a significant uptick in playing time this season and will look to continue growing while contributing to the Sun Devils’ deep defensive line.

“I’m not there yet, but it’s good to be recognized and known from the work that I’ve accomplished,” O’Neal said. “I just want to show (ASU’s staff) that they’re not wrong and believing in me was the right choice.”