2019 Football Roster
O'Neil, Riley
Jersey Number 9
Riley O'Neil
- Position:
- DB
- Height:
- 6-0
- Weight:
- 205
- Class:
- Senior
- Hometown:
- Tewksbury, N.J.
- High School:
- Immaculata
- Major:
- Design Arts
Bio
Why Lehigh? “From the moment I stepped foot on campus I knew that Lehigh was the perfect fit for me. It has an outstanding combination of academic and athletic tradition.”
As a senior (2019): Team captain… moved from safety to outside linebacker… started all 11 games… Lehigh’s third-leading tackler… season-high eight tackles at Colgate (10/5) and against Holy Cross (11/2)… added career-high two tackles for loss against the Crusaders… made fourth career interception at Bucknell (11/9)… six tackles and a tackle for loss against Georgetown (10/26)… named to Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
As a junior (2018): Started every game at safety for third consecutive season… finished season as Lehigh’s third-leading tackler… opened season with eight tackles and two tackles for loss versus Saint Francis (9/1)… set career-high with 10 tackles at Princeton (10/6)… matched that total with 10 tackles and two tackles for loss versus Bucknell (11/3)… picked off pass at Navy (9/15)… blocked two field goals, one at Georgetown (10/20) and one at Lafayette (11/17).
As a sophomore (2017): Started all 12 games at free safety… finished second on team in tackles… career high nine stops at Wagner (9/30)… made eight tackles against Lafayette (11/18) and Stony Brook (11/25)… recorded two pass breakups at Bucknell (11/4)… recovered a fumble in win over Holy Cross (11/11)… made at least three tackles in 11 of 12 games.
As a freshman (2016): Started all 12 games at free safety… lone freshman starter for the Mountain Hawks… registered 44 tackles… picked off passes in wins over Colgate (10/8) and Lafayette (11/19)… was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week on Oct. 10 after registering six tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery against Colgate… made five tackles in four other games, including playoff game at New Hampshire.
In High School: First team All-Conference, All-Area and All-Non-Public… team captain… All-Area performer as a centerfielder in baseball.
Personal: Son of Mike and Kerri O’Neil… has three younger siblings: Abbey, Ellie and Brady.
CAREER STATISTICS
Defense
Tackles
CAREER HIGHS
Tackles: 10, 2x, vs. Bucknell, 11/3/18
Tackles for loss: 2.0, 3x, vs. Holy Cross, 11/2/19
Interceptions: 1, 4x, at Bucknell, 11/9/19
As a senior (2019): Team captain… moved from safety to outside linebacker… started all 11 games… Lehigh’s third-leading tackler… season-high eight tackles at Colgate (10/5) and against Holy Cross (11/2)… added career-high two tackles for loss against the Crusaders… made fourth career interception at Bucknell (11/9)… six tackles and a tackle for loss against Georgetown (10/26)… named to Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
As a junior (2018): Started every game at safety for third consecutive season… finished season as Lehigh’s third-leading tackler… opened season with eight tackles and two tackles for loss versus Saint Francis (9/1)… set career-high with 10 tackles at Princeton (10/6)… matched that total with 10 tackles and two tackles for loss versus Bucknell (11/3)… picked off pass at Navy (9/15)… blocked two field goals, one at Georgetown (10/20) and one at Lafayette (11/17).
As a sophomore (2017): Started all 12 games at free safety… finished second on team in tackles… career high nine stops at Wagner (9/30)… made eight tackles against Lafayette (11/18) and Stony Brook (11/25)… recorded two pass breakups at Bucknell (11/4)… recovered a fumble in win over Holy Cross (11/11)… made at least three tackles in 11 of 12 games.
As a freshman (2016): Started all 12 games at free safety… lone freshman starter for the Mountain Hawks… registered 44 tackles… picked off passes in wins over Colgate (10/8) and Lafayette (11/19)… was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week on Oct. 10 after registering six tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery against Colgate… made five tackles in four other games, including playoff game at New Hampshire.
In High School: First team All-Conference, All-Area and All-Non-Public… team captain… All-Area performer as a centerfielder in baseball.
Personal: Son of Mike and Kerri O’Neil… has three younger siblings: Abbey, Ellie and Brady.
CAREER STATISTICS
Defense
Tackles
| Year | G | UA | A | Tot | TFL | INT | Yds. | TD |
| 2016 | 12 | 36 | 8 | 44 | 1.0 | 2 | 12 | 0 |
| 2017 | 12 | 40 | 18 | 58 | 3.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 11 | 41 | 21 | 62 | 4.0 | 1 | 13 | 0 |
| 2019 | 11 | 39 | 13 | 52 | 6.0 | 1 | 26 | 0 |
| Total | 46 | 156 | 60 | 216 | 14.5 | 4 | 51 | 0 |
CAREER HIGHS
Tackles: 10, 2x, vs. Bucknell, 11/3/18
Tackles for loss: 2.0, 3x, vs. Holy Cross, 11/2/19
Interceptions: 1, 4x, at Bucknell, 11/9/19
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