JONESBORO (4/29/07) - Former Arkansas State standout fullback Oren O'Neal (Stuttgart, Ark.) was selected by the Oakland Raiders with the first pick in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft today.

The Raiders made O'Neal the 175th overall pick and the third fullback taken in the draft.  O'Neal became the 40th ASU player to ever be selected in the NFL draft and the first since Corey Williams was taken in the sixth round of the 2004 draft by the Green Bay Packers.  Over 90 all-time Arkansas State players have signed pro contracts with a NFL franchise.

O'Neal missed three games in 2006 due to injury, but was ASU's starting fullback in all nine games played and named Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt Conference.  While he was used  primarily as a blocker, O'Neal recorded 59 yards rushing on eight carries (7.4 yard average) and 16 receiving yards on three catches (5.3 yard average) last season.  CBSSportsline.com's former National Walk-On of the Year, O'Neal started 41 career games at ASU after originally walking on to the team.

A four-year starter, O'Neal posted 289 career rushing yards on limited carries from his fullback position.