Former Oklahoma State defensive end Leslie O’Neal is one of 17 players named to the 2020 College Football Hall of Fame Class, the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced. It marked the third consecutive year that O’Neal was included on the ballot.

A two-time All-America honoree, O’Neal anchored the two best defenses in school history in 1984 and 1985.  He was a dominant force on teams which allowed just a total of 34 touchdowns over two seasons, the lowest totals ever at OSU.

He was named Big Eight defensive player of the year in 1984 and earned All-Big Eight honors in each of his last three seasons as a Cowboy.

O’Neal set a school record that stands to this day by registering 16.0 sacks for 118 yards lost in 1984. He also remains the OSU career leader with 34.0 sacks.

He was a first-round draft choice of the San Diego Chargers in 1986. O’Neal retired following the 1999 season.

 During his career, the defensive end was selected to the Pro Bowl six times, while recording 136.0 career sacks. His career sack totals still rank among the top 15 players in the history of the NFL.

During his career, the Cowboys played in the Bluebonnet Bowl and consecutive Gator Bowls. He was a unanimous All-American in 1985, earning a spot on each of the five recognized teams (American Football Coaches Association, Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, The Sporting News and Walter Camp).

Oklahoma State now has six representatives in the College Football Hall of Fame – coach Lynn “Pappy” Waldorf (inducted in 1966), Bob Fenimore (inducted in 1972), Barry Sanders (inducted in 2003), Thurman Thomas (inducted in 2008), coach Jimmy Johnson (inducted in 2012) and O’Neal.

The 2020 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted during the 63rd NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 8 at the New York Hilton Midtown.