Neal is a 5'10", 178, redshirt Senior cornerback from Akron, OH (I know he went to high school in Scottsdale, but that is what his official bio says). Neal played as a true Freshman at Notre Dame where he was primarily a punt returner before transferring to Arizona. He played every game in 2014 as a receiver catching 27 balls for 214 yards and 2 TDs while also returning 12 punts for 133 yards and another TD. Last year he switched to defense starting in 11 games as a corner. Neal's 63 tackles were 3rd on the team and he was tied for 2nd in pass break-ups with 5. He also had one interception against NAU. Neal only returned 1 punt last year, but did get 26 yards on the 1 attempt.
Neal for the first time in his college career will be playing on the same side of the ball for the same team 2 years in a row. Now he just has to figure out a new defensive scheme. He should start at one of the corners and should be the vocal leader of the defense. I don't think he will be used as a primary punt returner, but he certainly can play there if needed.
19 is the school record for sacks in a season set by Tedy Bruschi in 1993.
Neal's got something to prove this year. I hope he succeeds!
'A parent is the one person who is supposed to make their kid think they can do anything. Says they're beautiful even when they're ugly. Thinks they're smart even when they go to Arizona State.' -- Jack Donaghy
