2022 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Tim O’Neill, WR, Fitchburg State University

• Name: Tim O’Neill
• Position: WR
• College: Fitchburg State University
• Height: 5’8″
• Weight: 165 lbs
• Twitter: @one3tim
• Instagram: @tim_oneill17

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

• My favorite moments from my football life begin in 8th grade when my team won the state and regional championships. In high school my favorite moments were easily running onto the field under the Friday Night Lights and scoring my first high school touchdown, on a slant and go route. My favorite college football moment is winning my first game as a starter under the lights on a Friday night. My other favorite college football moment was scoring my first college touchdown. Overall my favorite moments of football have been seeing my teammates and coaches succeed and building family bonds with my teammates throughout my career so far.

What type of energy do you bring onto the football field?

• I bring a very positive, hardworking and outgoing energy onto the field. Through my work ethic and hard work I hit the field fast and with positive energy everyday. I see my hard work as an investment in myself. What I put in will reflect in my success on the field personally and as a team.

If there was a billboard with 5 of your traits on it which 5 traits would be up there?

• The billboard with 5 of my traits would have hardworking, coachable, intelligent, a great leader, and positive.

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

• Becoming a football player, overall stemmed from the natural, undying love I have for football. When I was in middle school I found myself thinking about football 24/7. I would watch football, dream about football, and even relate my school work to football. I realized that there is nothing I love to do more than football. I love everything about the work, learning, practice, games, family feel, and atmosphere about football. From then on I made it my goal to be a professional football player, and make my family and community proud.

What sets you apart from other wide receivers?

• My work ethic, coachability, and IQ of the game sets me apart from other wide receivers. I put in as much time as I can whether it be on the field, in the weight room, in the classroom or in the community to try and get better. I’m always eager to show up early and stay late so that I have the time I need to do all that I can. My hard work is an investment in myself to be the most prepared, successful and best player for my team every time I step on the field. Michael Jordan once said, “My best skill was being coachable. I was a sponge and aggressive to learn.” All of the greats have coachable & humble traits. I look up to those men and women and they’re who I want and try to be. I believe in my coaches and teammates and their coaching points, and input on any aspect of the game. I love to learn, improve and perfect my craft in any way I can. Football isn’t just a physical game. It’s mental as well. You need to be able to quickly read your opponents and make the necessary adjustments to make sure you’re open for the intended pass and to gain as much yardage as you can. It’s attention to detail, moves, preparation, and things of that nature that will give success on the field. I spend a lot of time studying the game and watching film which allows me to make the right decisions on the field in a split second.

How are you planning to prepare for the draft?

• I am home training in Massachusetts. I plan to prepare for the draft by going to the AIA Showcase in Xenia, Ohio. Also I will be playing in the Globe Bowl, in Dallas, Texas on June 10. I am preparing for the draft by putting a lot of time into my game to be in the best shape possible on the field and in the weight room.

What should we know about Tim O’Neill the person?

• Football is my biggest passion, I love to spend time with my family and my girlfriend. I am always looking to improve in every area of my life.

What is your favorite route and why?

• My favorite route is a post or corner route because it gives me the opportunity to use my speed to get over the top and be creative within my route to get a step on the secondary.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

• When I have to handle challenges in life and on the field the first thing I do is talk to family and then I just face the challenges head on and control the things I can control.

What would a team get in a player like you?

• A team is gonna get a consistent, hardworking, smart, and coachable player. I will be the first one in and last one to leave everyday, watching film constantly, and learning from my coaches and teammates as much as possible. I am willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win. At the end of the day I will do whatever it takes to go get a ring with my teammates and coaches.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

• I would hang out with Deion Sanders. I think it would be cool to be able to sit down and have a conversation with him, hear about his experiences as a player on and off the field, and pick his brain on how to become a better football player on and off the field.

What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?

• As a football player going forward I look forward to being great in all aspects of the game. I will use my coachability, football IQ and work ethic to at the next level to be a great football player. I look forward to getting on the field and competing on special teams and offense at the highest level. I would also like to win a championship at the professional level.