Notre Dame has been pursuing some elite defensive line prospects in the 2027 class, but have yet to get their first commitment. That changed today with an announcement from Aidan O'Neil.
An all-state player as a junior at Don Bosco Prep in New Jersey, O’Neil is an explosive big man who has the potential to be a three down stud for the Irish. I’m a huge fan of this addition to the class.
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 250
Projected Position: Defensive line
ISD Grade: 94 (4-star)
National Average Grade: 92.0 (4-star)
What he does best:
He has impressive lateral twitch and a big time motor. That’s a huge reason why he ended up with 16.5 tackles for loss as a junior.
O’Neil displays good reactive athleticism and he has the flexibility to turn the corner as a pass rusher. He runs the hoop perfectly on this sack.
He has a good first step and is able to convert speed to power as a pass rusher.
There’s a whole bunch of defensive linemen where pass rush reps dominate their highlight tape, but O’Neil already shows great ability as a run defender. It’s rare to find an edge who can chase down plays from the backside and hold up against double teams at the point of attack.
What he needs to improve:
He has active hands as a pass rusher and is better than most his age in this respect, but he can get to a much higher level with them. I think a lot of his game will evolve with his physical development over time and it’s going to be scary when he grows into his frame.
What’s his ceiling?
O’Neil measured in with a verified wingspan over 80 inches as a sophomore and it’s reportedly closer to 83 inches currently. He has a huge frame and might end up adding significant weight at Notre Dame and grow into a 3-technique defensive tackle.
That frame is combined with explosive traits. He recorded a broad jump 9-1.3 feet last year and that’s an elite number for someone with his size. It shows up on the field as well and I do think he might still be athletic enough to stay as an edge if his weight stays down.
Former Notre Dame DL Rylie Mills played outside and inside for the Irish and I think O’Neil has that same versatility, but he actually has a longer frame than Mills and is a more reactive athlete. Mills developed into a three down impact player for the Irish and would have been a much higher pick in the NFL Draft if he hadn’t been injured at the end of his final season.
O’Neil has the potential to be a similar disruptive pass rusher and every down force in college.
Who he could be:
Former ND DL Rylie Mills
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