O'Neal Inks with Arizona State

Oroville, Calif. - Sophomore defensive end Elijah O'Neal kicks off signing for the Butte football team, inking with Arizona State on Wednesday.

"Butte College has prepared me academically because of all of the support in CAS like the tutoring, which has been a big part of my education," O'Neal said. "I want to thank my position coach, Coach Flesher, who has been a big part of my development. Also, I want to thank Coach Phipps, who really created a fire in me to persevere. And finally, I want to thank Coach Snelling most of all because he's the one who got me into this program and believed in me from the start."

Named an All-American earlier this month, O'Neal finished 2022 ranked third in the state for sacks (14.5) and third for tackles for loss (26). Overall this season, he earned 66 tackles, 43 solo, averaging six tackles per game.

During his career at Butte, he played in 22 games, racking up 86 total tackles, 57 solo, with 16 sacks for 131 yards, 26 tackles for loss for 135 yards, and forced three fumbles with one recovery for 20 yards, adding a pass breakup. 

O'Neal signed during the early/midyear NCAA Division I signing period. The regular NCAA Division I and II football signing period begins on February 1, 2023.