San Diego State quarterback Danny O’Neil this season became the first true freshman starting quarterback in the Division I history of the SDSU football program. O’Neil started every game, except one when he was sidelined by a knee injury that necessitated wearing a brace on his left knee the remainder of the season.

O’Neil recently had surgery on his left (non-throwing) shoulder, but SDSU coach Sean Lewis said this week that he expected the Indiana native to be ready for spring practice with the Aztecs.

Not now. Thursday morning O’Neil walked into the football coaches office on the second floor of the Fowler Athletic Center and informed the staff that he is entering the NCAA transfer portal, according to sources.

After a week in which SDSU was buoyed by the news that six key starters would be returning for the 2025 season, now comes uncertainty at the most important position on the field.

O’Neil’s departure leaves SDSU with only two quarterbacks in the program — junior Kyle Crum, who was fourth on the depth chart this season, and high school signee JP Mialovski, who is graduating early from Long Beach Millikan High School in order to enroll for SDSU’s spring semester.

SDSU backup quarterback Javance Tupou’ata-Johnson, who started at Cal when O’Neil was sidelined, announced last week that he was entering the transfer portal.

Lewis said this week that SDSU was planning to pursue two transfer quarterbacks through the portal in order to have five QBs in the program. Now he needs another one.

Despite SDSU’s disappointing 3-9 finish this season, O’Neil had a successful debut. He completed 63.2 percent of his passes, throwing for 2,181 yards and 12 touchdowns with six interceptions. O’Neil’s career began with 127 staight passes before he was intercepted for the first time.

This is a developing story. Check back for additional details as they become available.

Originally Published: December 12, 2024 at 1:54 PM PST