University of California Athletics

From James Berger in Milpitas, CA: Hey Deltha! I want to commend you on a great year so far. Watching you play in high school and being your teammate in high school as well, you love to get the ball as much as possible. How much difference is there being a two-way player in high school compared to college?

Deltha O'Neal: "It's really no comparison. In high school, it's easier because your "The Man." You're faster than everybody else, you're more athletic than the other players. In college, you're playing against only players who were all-stars as high school players. It's just a different level."

From Richard Lee in Berkeley: Deltha, with you success this season as Cal's all-purpose performer, do you have any thoughts about turning pro early or will you definitely return for your last year of college eligibility?

O'Neal: "I'm coming back. I don't think I'm ready yet to play that level. I believe I'd benefit from another year of college under my belt. I'm enjoying playing with the guys here at Cal."

From Sherman Boyson in Berkeley: Who's your favorite undergrad advisor on campus?

O'Neal: "Sherman, you know you're the best adviser. I appreciate all your help. He truly is "the Man," aside from Jo Baker being "the Woman" down at the advising and tutoring center."

From Kenny Rhee in San Diego, CA: Deltha, first off, I would like to congratulate you and the team for having such a great year. My question is, now that you've played so many positions on the field, which is your favorite, and which would you like to play in the NFL? Keep up the great work!

O'Neal: "Cornerback, for sure. In the NFL, cornerbacks will play longer. For a tailback, the average is only about three years. You just get beat up physically at that position. Plus, I have fun playing corner with the challenges of going one-on-one against people and playing within a unit in the secondary."

From Randy Chong in Berkeley: Do you wish you could still be back (full-time) on offense?

O'Neal: "Not really. Being able to carry the football on kickoff and punt returns kind of fulfills that desire I've had to be on offense. Plus, like I said, I'm having a great time playing with guys like Marquis (Smith), Derrick (Gardner) and Chidi (Iwuoma). They make it like a big competition in practice and in games, plus we all come together to make something happen for our defense."

From Greg in Walnut Creek, CA: Hello Deltha. You have been my favorite athlete in any sport, college or pro, since your freshman year. The secondary has been much better this year over last year. With the graduation of Marquis Smith and Derrick Gardner, what will cause the secondary to continue its success?

O'Neal: "Aside from having a great front seven coming back, I think we have some players coming up who will be really good players. The freshman corners, Jameel (Powell) and LaShawn (Ward) both have a lot of potential. We also have Damian Marzett and Pete (Destefano) will step up, so we have a lot of talent coming back. We also should keep the same type of "never say die" attitude which will be really important."

From Richard Lee in Berkeley: What one play stands out most in your mind thus far into the season?

O'Neal: "The interception against Washington State that I ran back for the TD. I just saw the ball coming and reacted. I was surprised when I got the ball that I had that much field to work with on the return. I was also a little shocked when they told me it was 76 yards, it didn't seem that long."

From Adam Markle in Hercules, CA: What do you think is your best position to play and why?

O'Neal: "Cornerback, for many of the same reasons I mentioned above. I just like the atmosphere on defense and being with the group of guys in the secondary, and the coaching staff."

From Dan Titelbaum in Oakland, CA: I noticed when you threw the TD pass against USC that you threw it left handed. Do you think that catching passes from left-hander Justin Vedder helped A.J. grab the pass you threw?

O'Neal: "Not really. He was just so wide open that he would have caught in no matter who was throwing that ball. It does have a different rotation coming from a left-hander, but I don't think it was a factor on that play."

From Ed Yee in Mountain View, CA: Do you have a preference playing either offense or defense? What areas do you need to work on in the future?

O'Neal: "I like playing cornerback. I still need to work on my technique. It's coming, a little. I just need time, since I really just started last spring. When I played in high school, I didn't have any type of back-pedaling skills. I just would turn and run with the receivers. It's a whole lot more technical on this level."

From Mike in San Jose, CA: Do you feel that your time on offense last year (and I guess this year, too) helps you as a defender?

O'Neal: "On occasion, but not all that much. When we're playing a team like USC or Arizona State, I have an idea of what a tailback may be doing that could tip off a run or a pass, but for the most part, I just have to make my reads on the receiver. When you're playing an option team like a Nebraska or a Oklahoma, it's a completely different type of offense and my time on offense doesn't really help much. I just have to study the films and make my reads."