Raiqwon O’Neal Bio
Raiqwon O’Neal is an American professional football offensive tackle. He first played college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and later transferred to the UCLA Bruins. O’Neal was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Born on January 12, 2000, in Conway, South Carolina, he attended Conway High School and participated in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. After a successful collegiate career, he has been a part of several NFL teams.
Early Life and Background
Raiqwon O’Neal was born on January 12, 2000, in Conway, South Carolina to Malik Akram and Dina O’Neal-Akram. O’Neal attended Conway High School, where he played football. He participated in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, a game between the best football players from North Carolina against South Carolina. O’Neal was rated as the seventeenth-best player from the state of South Carolina before entering college.
Path to American Football
O’Neal chose to attend Rutgers University to play college football. As a freshman, he played in four games. In his next year as a sophomore, he played in nine games and additionally had four starts. In the shortened 2020 year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, O’Neal started eight games, caught a touchdown pass versus Indiana, and was named an honorable All-Big Ten Conference player. O’Neal would start the most games for Rutgers in the following year, with nine starts in 2021, and again was named an honorable All-Big Ten player.
Raiqwon O’Neal Career
Early Career (2023)
After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL draft, O’Neal was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While O’Neal did not make the active roster before the 2023 NFL regular season, he was signed to the Buccaneers’ practice squad after the preseason. On September 13, 2023, O’Neal was signed to the Seattle Seahawks active roster from the Buccaneers practice squad.
On April 8, 2024, O’Neal signed with the Seahawks as a restricted free agent. On August 27, he was released during the 53-man roster cutdown and re-signed to the practice squad, but was released two days later. On September 3, 2024, O’Neal was signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 14, 2025.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2025)
On August 26, 2025, O’Neal was waived by the Buccaneers with an injury designation as part of final roster cuts. On October 21, 2025, O’Neal was signed to the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad. He was released on November 11 after a brief tenure.
Playing Style and Strengths
As an offensive tackle, O’Neal has demonstrated versatility with the ability to start at multiple positions on the offensive line. His experience at both Rutgers and UCLA has provided him with a solid foundation in pass protection and run blocking techniques. His 6 ft 3 in height gives him good reach for defending against defensive linemen.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his collegiate career, O’Neal earned recognition as an honorable All-Big Ten player in both 2020 and 2021 seasons. In his lone year at UCLA in 2022, he started all thirteen games and was part of an offensive line that was a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, given to the nation’s top offensive line unit.
Raiqwon O’Neal Career Wins
Despite being undrafted, O’Neal has managed to secure roster spots with multiple NFL teams and has shown resilience in continuing his professional football journey.
College Highlights
During his college career, O’Neal earned All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention honors in both 2020 and 2021 while at Rutgers. In 2020, he caught a touchdown pass against Indiana, showcasing his versatility as an offensive lineman with receiving capabilities. At UCLA in 2022, he started all thirteen games, helping the Bruins’ offensive line become a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award.
Other Wins & Performances
O’Neal participated in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, highlighting his high school football accomplishments and recognition among top players from the Carolinas region. His ability to adapt to different offensive systems has allowed him to secure practice squad positions with multiple NFL teams.
| Series | Games Played | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| NFL | 3 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons |
Raiqwon O’Neal Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Raiqwon O’Neal was born to Malik Akram and Dina O’Neal-Akram in Conway, South Carolina. His family background includes parents who have supported his football career from high school through his professional endeavors. His participation in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas suggests a family supportive of his athletic pursuits.
Personal Life
Raiqwon O’Neal maintains an active presence on social media, particularly Instagram, where he shares updates about his football career and personal life. His journey through multiple NFL teams showcases his persistence in pursuing his professional football dreams despite the challenges faced by undrafted players.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 season, O’Neal had a brief tenure with the Atlanta Falcons, being signed to their practice squad in October before being released in November. His time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers included signing a reserve/future contract in January, indicating the team’s continued interest in his development. Despite limited playing time in the NFL, O’Neal has consistently secured practice squad positions, demonstrating value as a depth player for multiple organizations.