Hall of Fame
Position: Defensive Tackle
Years: 1982-1985
Place of Birth: Little Rock, AR
Date of Birth: May 7, 1964
Jersey Number: 99
Height: 6-3
Weight: 281
High School: Hall HS (Little Rock, AR)
The anchor of some of the best defenses in Oklahoma State history, Leslie O'Neal was every Big Eight quarterback's nightmare. The Pokes' all-time sacks leader becomes the fourth player in school history to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.
A two-time First Team All-American, O'Neal earned unanimous honors in 1985 when he finished as the runner-up for the Lombardi Award. The 1984 Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year led the Cowboys to three consecutive bowl games, including wins in the 1983 Bluebonnet Bowl and the 1984 Gator Bowl. O'Neal racked up 12 tackles in the latter bowl victory over South Carolina that helped Oklahoma State finish the 1984 season with a 10-2 record and a No. 7 national ranking.
Arguably the greatest defensive player in program history, O'Neal was the dominant force on teams that allowed only 34 touchdowns in both 1984 and 1985, the lowest totals ever at OSU. The three-time First Team All-Big Eight selection still owns school records for career sacks (34), single-season sacks (16 in 1984), single-season sack yards (118 in 1984) and blocked kicks in a game (2 vs. Missouri in 1984). His 47 career tackles for loss rank second in Cowboys history while his 393 career tackles are good for fourth most all-time. O'Neal played for College Football Hall of Fame coach Jimmy Johnson during his first two seasons at Oklahoma State, and he was teammates with Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas.
The eighth overall pick in the 1986 NFL Draft, O'Neal played professionally for 14 seasons with the San Diego Chargers (1986-95), St. Louis Rams (1996-97) and Kansas City Chiefs (1998-99). The 1986 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and led the Chargers to an appearance in Super Bowl XXIX. A member of the Chargers Hall of Fame, O'Neal remains the franchise's all-time leader with 105.5 sacks.
Since retiring, O'Neal has served as a motivational speaker. The Little Rock, Arkansas, native is enshrined in the Oklahoma State Athletics Hall of Honor and the State of Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. Oklahoma State annually gives the Leslie O'Neal Award to the team's outstanding defensive player.
