Rising to the occasion: How SDSU’s true freshman Danny O’Neil has shined as QB

Danny O’Neil runs to the sideline after throwing a touchdown pass to Louis Brown IV. (Nate Tubbs)

Watching Aztec football this season has been a roller coaster to say the least. A week one win followed by a string of difficult losses has sent San Diego State football fans from the clouds of victory to the pits of despair. Wins in back-to-back weeks against fellow Mountain Westers Hawaii and Wyoming mean this coaster is back on the rise.

Danny’s Start

One thing has remained constant throughout these ups and downs, and that would be Danny O’Neil. To the surprise of many, the touted true freshman got the nod to start in the Aztec’s season opener against Texas A&M Commerce. After a slow first half, Danny and the ‘Tecs won 45–14.

Winning seems to be in Danny’s DNA, he is an Indiana 5A state champ, after all. His career at Cathedral High School boasts over 100 total touchdowns, 7,700 passing yards, and just 19 interceptions. A resume like that is what earned him several offers, including Coach Prime’s CU Buffs, an offer he initially accepted.

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Transition to the ‘Tecs

Those with a keen eye may have noticed something in O’Neil’s tweet. That would be Sean Lewis tagged right after Deion Sanders, who would announce his new job as SDSU head coach later in 2023.

O’Neil decommitted shortly after the news broke, and there is no coincidence that the two reunited in San Diego. Even with the connection between Lewis and O’Neil, the decision to name him starter still came as a shock.

With a quarterback room containing Florida State University transfer AJ Duffy, senior Kyle Crum, and the talented Javance Tupouata-Johnson, it’s no wonder the battle for starter came down to the week before the season opener.

“I just can’t say enough good things about Coach Lew,” Danny said on broadcaster John Schaeffer’s ‘Jon & Jim Podcast.’ “Me and him have grown very close.”

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Despite a gut-wrenching loss to Central Michigan, and two more against Oregon State and Cal, O’Neil has improved each week, and settled into his role as starter.

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O’Neil had 256 passing yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT in SDSU’s win over Wyoming, crowned by stellar throws to Jordan Napier on back to back plays.

What’s Next?

The Aztecs are about to face the toughest test of the season in Washington State University on Oct. 26. Thankfully for O’Neil and his teammates, they will have an extra time to prepare, as they have a bye week.

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San Diego State has nothing to lose in this upcoming battle, but they do have everything to gain. In an ever-changing NCAA landscape, sculpted by NIL cashflow, upset wins against powerful programs can propel a team to previously unattainable levels.

For O’Neil, it could put him on the radar of NFL scouts looking for the right man behind center.

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Accolades like “Mountain West Freshman Player of the Week,” are what continue a strong resume, and Danny has done it in back to back weeks.

With six games left in the 2024 campaign, SDSU must win three of them to earn themselves a bowl game. After a lackluster 2023 season, this is exactly what the program needs to pack the stands of Snapdragon Stadium in 2025.

Has Danny O’Neil cemented himself as the long-term choice for Sean Lewis and the Aztecs? Regardless, his performance has been nothing short of impressive.