Nicklaus "Nick" O'Leary[1] (born August 31, 1992) is an American footballtight end who is currently on the practice squad for the Buffalo Bills of the NFL. He was drafted by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft and was released from the active roster prior to the opening week of the 2015-2016 NFL regular season, before signing with the practice squad. He played college football at Florida State.
O'Leary is one of five children of Bill and Nan (Nicklaus) O'Leary.[2] He attended Dwyer High School in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, where he played football, basketball, lacrosse and ran track.[1] He won state titles in both football and lacrosse. As a senior, he had 51 receptions for 875 yards and 12 touchdowns. Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was ranked as the No. 1 tight end recruit in his class.[3]
As a true freshman in 2011, O'Leary played in all 13 games with two starts. He finished the season with 12 receptions for 164 yards and one touchdown. As a sophomore in 2012, he started 11 of 13 games, recording 21 receptions for 252 yards and three touchdowns. As a junior in 2013, he was a John Mackey Award finalist after recording 33 receptions for 557 yards with seven touchdowns.[4] After considering entering the 2014 NFL Draft, O'Leary returned to Florida State for his senior season.[5] During his senior season he set Florida State's record for career receptions for a tight end.[6] He again was a finalist for the John Mackey Award, this time winning it.[7] He was also named a consensus All-American.[8] O'Leary finished the season with 48 receptions for 618 yards and six touchdowns. For his career he had 114 receptions for 1,591 yards and 17 touchdowns.
On September, 8th, 2015, The Buffalo Bills re-signed quarterback Matt Cassel and in doing so to make room for the 53-man roster, released tight end Nick O'Leary.
On September, 10th, 2015, he was added to the Bills practice squad.[10]
O'Leary's grandfather is Jack Nicklaus.[11][12] Nick's father, Bill, was a highly recruited tight end who played that position for the University of Georgia, and his mother, Nan, played volleyball at Georgia. On May 2, 2013, O'Leary was involved in a motorcycle accident, but was not seriously injured.[13][14]
