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Former Pitt OT Brian O’Neill Named to Second Pro Bowl

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Former Pitt offensive tackle Brian O'Neill

Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Brian O’Neill didn’t start his collegiate journey as an offensive lineman, but he’s now a two-time Pro Bowl right tackle.

O’Neill — a 6-foot-7, 310-pounder from Delaware — has been named the Pro Bowl replacement for Philadelphia Eagles tackle Lane Johnson, who will play in the Super Bowl. It’s the second nod for O’Neill, who was initially named an alternate.

O’Neill earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2021 and has provided a steady presence for the Vikings at right tackle over the last seven seasons. In 1,031 offensive snaps this season, a team-high, he allowed just 18 pressures and two sacks.

He’s served as a reliable presence on the Vikings’ offensive line since being selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft — playing over 7,000 offensive snaps and allowing just 22 sacks.

O’Neill wasn’t exactly a top-ranked recruit out of high school, committing to Pitt over offers from Coastal Carolina, Colgate, Old Dominion, Tulane, William & Mary and Youngstown State, but he developed into a superb offensive lineman.

Not too bad for a recruit who arrived as a tight end.

O’Neill switched to the offensive line after his freshman season in 2014 and started 37 straight games (at right tackle in 2015-16 and left tackle in 2017) to end his career.

He earned first-team All-ACC honors in his final season at Pitt and went on to be selected by the Vikings with the 62nd pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Brian O’Neill continues a run of Pitt players earning Pro Bowl honors, helped by the legendary Aaron Donald earning 10 straight Pro Bowl nods. James Conner, along with O’Neill, also earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2021.

The Pro Bowl has shrunk in popularity in recent years, with the actual Pro Bowl game being abandoned altogether, but the honor itself is still coveted.

Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker
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