The Wisconsin Badgers gave over the keys to a new quarterback in week 2, and it’s a name fans may not have expected to see so soon: Danny O’Neil. At six feet and 197 pounds, he is roughly comparable to Braedyn Locke, the starter from the last season, in terms of height, but his story is rather different. In 2024 at San Diego State, where he made history as the first freshman starter since the program’s transition to Division I in 1969, O’Neil started 11 games as a true freshman, giving him valuable experience.

His year with the Aztecs was filled with both true potential and growing hardships. After a tough middle stretch, he finished the season strong with zero interceptions in the final five games after starting the season with 127 consecutive throw attempts without a pick. When you add in 2,181 throwing yards and 12 touchdowns, it’s easy to understand why Luke Fickell is now comfortable with him.

Who are Danny O’Neil’s parents?

Growing up, Danny O’Neil was almost born with Notre Dame in his blood. Although his father, Mike O’Neil, and grandfather were the ones who truly brought the family to South Bend, his mother, Tina O’Neil, has always supported him. Mike wrestled for the Irish in the past, and even his grandpa played baseball, so you can imagine how strong the Notre Dame connection has always been in the O’Neil family.

When he was still a student at Cathedral High in Indianapolis in 2022, he stated, “My whole family is invested in the Notre Dame Football team.” With that kind of history, it’s easy to understand why he dreamed of allowing his parents and grandparents to watch him play close to home.

How did Tina O’Neil and Mike O’Neil meet?

There is no public info on how Tina and Mike O’Neil first met, but it is clear that they have been quite supportive of their son. From Danny’s early days at Cathedral High to the recruiting spotlight and now the college stage, both have been a constant support system in his football career.

What is the ethnicity of Danny O’Neil’s parents? 

The nationality of Danny O’Neil’s parents, Tina and Mike O’Neil, is unknown to the general world, but one thing is certain: football runs in their family. Notre Dame seemed like a tradition he was born into, as Mike wrestled for the school and his grandpa played baseball there.

Danny was raised in Indianapolis, where he was a one-man show at Cathedral High School.  He was the quarterback for three seasons, throwing for over 2,000 yards and over 30+ touchdowns each year. He had offers from more than a dozen schools and was rated as a high three-star prospect by ESPN, On3, Rivals, and 247Sports before he finally settled on San Diego State.

Inside Danny O’Neil’s Relationship with His Parents

Danny O’Neil decided to use the transfer portal because of something far more personal: his family, not rivalry, NIL money, or even the coaches at San Diego State. As SDSU’s first true freshman quarterback in Division I history, the Indiana native battled injuries over the last season, starting nearly every game while wearing a knee brace. He underwent surgery on his non-throwing shoulder over the summer, yet he never stumbled on the field. But once he was off it, he saw how important it was to be able to play close to the people who had been there for him from the start.

“It’s a little bit of a financial burden for my parents to be able to travel every week and come to the games,” O’Neil said. “I love my family and everything they do for me. They’re my biggest supporters and fans. I love them dearly.” For Danny, seeing his family support him without the extra pressure and expense of cross-country travel was more important. From his early years at Indianapolis’ Cathedral High School to setting records at SDSU, it was about sharing the most important events with those who had influenced his path. Family will always come first for O’Neil, even though he might be leaving behind coaches, teammates, and programs.