Raiqwon O’Neal Bio
Raiqwon O’Neal, born on January 12, 2000, in Conway, South Carolina, is an American professional football offensive tackle who plays in the National Football League. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing around 138 kilograms, he has developed into a sizeable presence along the offensive line. O’Neal first played college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights before transferring to the UCLA Bruins, where he finished his collegiate career. After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has since worked to establish himself across multiple organizations.
Over the course of his early professional career, O’Neal has moved between practice squads and active rosters with several franchises, gaining experience and adjusting to the demands of NFL-level play. His journey through the league reflects the persistence required of undrafted linemen working to carve out a long-term role. He has been associated with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Seattle Seahawks, and most recently the Atlanta Falcons, continuing his development as an offensive tackle.
Early Life and Background
Raiqwon O’Neal was born on January 12, 2000, in Conway, South Carolina, to his father, Malik Akram, and his mother, Dina O’Neal-Akram. Growing up in Conway, a region known for producing football talent, O’Neal was introduced to the sport at a young age and developed an early passion for the game. His family provided a supportive foundation that allowed him to pursue athletics seriously throughout his childhood and teenage years.
O’Neal attended Conway High School, where he played football and steadily built his reputation as a promising offensive lineman. During his high school career, he was rated as the seventeenth-best player from the state of South Carolina heading into college. He also earned an invitation to participate in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, an all-star showcase that features the top high school football players from North Carolina and South Carolina. These experiences gave him valuable exposure and helped set the stage for his collegiate opportunities.
Path to American Football
Following his standout high school career, O’Neal committed to Rutgers University, where he joined the Rutgers Scarlet Knights football program. As a freshman, he saw limited action, appearing in four games while adjusting to the speed and physicality of college football. The experience allowed him to learn from veteran linemen and develop the foundational techniques required at the offensive tackle position.
In his sophomore season, O’Neal earned a larger role, playing in nine games and making four starts. During the 2020 season, which was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he started eight games, caught a touchdown pass against Indiana, and received All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention recognition. The following year, he logged nine starts and once again earned All-Big Ten honorable mention honors. After the 2021 season, O’Neal decided to transfer to UCLA, where he started all thirteen games for the Bruins in 2022 and helped an offensive line that was a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, given to the best offensive line unit in college football.
Raiqwon O’Neal Career
Early Career (2023)
After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Raiqwon O’Neal signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent. Although he did not secure a spot on the Buccaneers’ active roster ahead of the regular season, the team added him to their practice squad following the preseason. This gave O’Neal his first opportunity to work within an NFL organization and continue refining his craft as a professional offensive tackle.
On September 13, 2023, O’Neal was signed to the Seattle Seahawks’ active roster from the Buccaneers’ practice squad. His brief time with Seattle represented his first stint on an NFL active roster, marking an important step in his professional journey. He continued to absorb the nuances of professional-level preparation during his time with the Seahawks.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2023-2024)
After his initial move to Seattle, O’Neal spent time developing within the Seahawks organization before being released. On April 8, 2024, O’Neal signed a new contract with the Seahawks as a restricted free agent, signaling the team’s continued interest in his development as an offensive tackle. The new deal gave him another opportunity to compete for a roster spot during the 2024 offseason and training camp.
During the 2024 preseason, O’Neal was released by the Seahawks as part of the league’s 53-man roster cutdown on August 27. He was quickly re-signed to Seattle’s practice squad but was released again two days later. Despite the brief and turbulent stint, the experience allowed him to remain in the league and stay ready for the next opportunity.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Era (2024-2025)
On September 3, 2024, Raiqwon O’Neal returned to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, signing with their practice squad. The familiarity of the organization offered a chance to reset and continue building toward a stable professional role. He remained with the Buccaneers through the remainder of the 2024 season, working to earn a longer-term opportunity.
On January 14, 2025, O’Neal signed a reserve/future contract with Tampa Bay, which secured his place with the team through the 2025 offseason. However, on August 26, 2025, he was waived by the Buccaneers with an injury designation as part of final roster cuts. The move ended his second stint with Tampa Bay but did not end his time in the NFL.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2025-Present)
On October 21, 2025, Raiqwon O’Neal was signed to the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. He was released on November 11, 2025. The Falcons provided another NFL opportunity for O’Neal, who continued to pursue his goal of establishing himself as a reliable offensive tackle at the highest level.
Despite the short tenure, his signing with Atlanta underscored his ongoing value as a depth piece along the offensive line. O’Neal’s career remains active, and he continues to seek opportunities to contribute on the field.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most notable milestones in Raiqwon O’Neal’s career came during his senior collegiate season at UCLA, when he started all thirteen games for the Bruins in 2022. His offensive line was a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, which recognizes the most outstanding offensive line unit in college football. The experience helped him transition from the college ranks into the NFL as an undrafted free agent. His signing with the Seattle Seahawks’ active roster in September 2023 marked his first appearance on an NFL active roster.
Raiqwon O’Neal Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, Raiqwon O’Neal’s professional contributions are measured less by individual win totals and more by his role in supporting team offenses. Throughout his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks, and Atlanta Falcons, he has worked primarily on practice squads while pursuing opportunities on active rosters. His career win totals at the NFL level are not separately tracked in a manner comparable to skill-position players, and verified figures have not been published.
Other Wins and Performances
During his college career, O’Neal earned All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention recognition in both 2020 and 2021 while at Rutgers, highlighting his consistent development along the offensive line. At UCLA, he was a key contributor on an offensive line that was a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award in 2022. These collegiate achievements laid the groundwork for his transition to the NFL as an undrafted free agent.
Raiqwon O’Neal Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Raiqwon O’Neal was raised in Conway, South Carolina, by his father, Malik Akram, and his mother, Dina O’Neal-Akram. His family’s support played an important role in his development as an athlete and his pursuit of football from high school through the professional ranks. While his parents are not known to have played football at a high level themselves, their encouragement helped shape his path in the sport.
Personal Life
Raiqwon O’Neal maintains a relatively private personal life away from the field. He was born and raised in Conway, South Carolina, where he developed his love for football. His career has taken him across multiple NFL organizations, but he continues to focus on his professional growth as an offensive tackle in the league.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a transitional year for Raiqwon O’Neal. He began the year on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ reserve/future contract after signing on January 14, 2025. On August 26, he was waived by the Buccaneers with an injury designation as part of the league’s final roster cuts, ending his second stint in Tampa Bay.
On October 21, 2025, O’Neal was signed to the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad, offering a fresh opportunity within a new organization. He was released on November 11, 2025. The brief stint with Atlanta reflected the ongoing challenges and opportunities that come with navigating an NFL career as an undrafted offensive lineman.
Looking ahead, O’Neal continues to pursue opportunities to secure a more permanent role on an NFL active roster. His experience across multiple organizations has given him exposure to different offensive systems and coaching philosophies. His development and perseverance will remain key storylines as he works toward establishing himself as a long-term professional offensive tackle.