Unexpected Quarterback Hero Emerges for Wisconsin, Sparks Comeback with Stunning Pass to Eugene Hilton Jr.
Danny O’Neil’s path to the spotlight has been anything but straightforward — and yet, here he is, stepping into the quarterback role for Wisconsin after an unexpected injury sidelined Billy Edwards Jr. The Cathedral High star, who initially pledged allegiance to Deion Sanders and Colorado, found himself pivoting to San Diego State where he cut his teeth as a freshman starter before making the move north. Thursday night’s game wasn’t exactly smooth sailing at first; O’Neil fumbled through the early moments, finding his footing only after connecting with Eugene Hilton Jr., son of Colts legend T.Y. Hilton, for his first collegiate completion. But that rough start didn’t hold him back—he rallied to lead two touchdown drives, proving he’s more than ready to rise when called upon. It’s a compelling chapter in O’Neil’s journey, one defined by grit, resilience, and a football IQ that’s rapidly maturing under pressure. LEARN MORE
- Cathedral grad Danny O’Neil entered as Wisconsin quarterback after an injury to starter Billy Edwards Jr.
- O’Neil struggled at the start but eventually got going, including a completion to Eugene Hilton Jr., son of former Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton, for his first college catch.
- O’Neil was committed to Deion Sanders and Colorado, but instead started as a freshman at San Diego State.
“He’s a gamer,” Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell said on Big Ten Network. “To be honest with you, I don’t think he got a ton of reps … every time we’ve gone live … he’s showed up.”This story was updated with new information.IndyStar reporter Kyle Neddenriep and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter John Steppe contributed to this report.
But the joy came after some hardship. The Badgers took a timeout before a fourth-and-3 play after a heavy dose of runs on the drive. O’Neil faked a handoff, double clutched and then floated a pass into one-on-one coverage that was intercepted.Danny O’Neil transferred after a season as San Diego State’s starting quarterback and found himself Thursday night taking important snaps for Wisconsin in its season opener. O’Neil was the backup to Badgers starter Billy Edwards Jr., but took over for him after Edwards suffered a non-contact injury to his left leg in the first half and was ruled out for the rest of the game. The severity of Edwards’ injury is not yet known.
It was an understandably shaky start for O’Neil taking over an offense he hadn’t had much practice with. There were several plays he made with his legs to get a first down and move the chains, his locks flowing out of the back of his helmet.Fast forward to the next drive and O’Neil had several key throws, and a 17-yard rush. An 11-yard completion to Eugene Hilton Jr. was the first collegiate catch for the son of former Indianapolis Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton. Then came a 22-yard gain to tight end Grant Stec.
“He’s only in his second year. But for a second-year guy, he’s played a lot of football, obviously being a full-year starter,” Edwards told reporters of O’Neil during fall camp. “I think the biggest thing is just his poise and confidence, his maturity as a 19, 20-year-old — whatever he is — how he goes about his business, the process.”“The things we’ve added to the playbook — we know how to tailor around his game better for when he’s in,” Wisconsin quarterbacks coach Kenny Guiton said. “… We know that he can get people in the right places and move his feet in the pocket and make some good decisions. And every now and then, we can move him around and get him out as well.”
It’s been a journey for O’Neil. He first committed to coach Deion Sanders and Colorado after a visit to Boulder. But then a coaching change at the coordinator level occurred. And when Sean Lewis became coach at San Diego State, that’s where O’Neil followed.
How Danny O’Neil played with Wisconsin football as backup quarterback
The two-time City Player of the Year was rated a three-star recruit out of high school. He completed 61.6% of his passes as a senior for 2,068 yards and 31 touchdowns with 10 interceptions and rushed for 722 yards and eight TDs. For his Cathedral career, O’Neil passed for 7,786 yards and 98 TDs with and rushed for 1,326 yards and 27 scores.That set up a 3-yard touchdown to Vinny Anthony II for the Badgers’ first touchdown of the season.O’Neil, who took over in a 3-0 game, led the Badgers on a pair of touchdown drives.He started 11 games and threw for 2,181 yards, 12 touchdowns to six interceptions and completed 63.3% of his passes. He also rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown. O’Neil was 3-2 in his first five games — the Aztecs lost a game at Cal that O’Neil missed due to injury — before losing the final six.
A Cathedral grad found himself in a quarterback competition, but not for the starting spot after that was his role for 11 games as a freshman last fall.
Danny O’Neil stats vs Miami Ohio
O’Neil then capitalized on an interception by Preston Zachman with a QB sneak for a 1-yard touchdown run.
DATABASE: See where Indiana players are playing college footballO’Neil ended up at Wisconsin, where Fickell is in his third season and hired offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes to take over. The veteran Edwards was tabbed the starter early on and handled most snaps during camp, save for a few practices during fall camp due to injury.
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