Elias Neal

Elias Neal
No. 58 – Los Angeles Rams
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (2001-09-11) September 11, 2001 (age 23)
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:227 lb (103 kg)
Career information
High school:White Station
(Memphis, Tennessee)
College:Marshall (2019–2023)
Undrafted:2024
Career history
Roster status:Practice squad
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Elias Neal (born September 11, 2001) is an American professional football linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Marshall Thundering Herd.

Early life

Neal was born on September 11, 2001.[1] From Memphis, Tennessee, he attended White Station High School there where he played running back and linebacker, recording 750 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns alsong with 95 tackles and two interceptions as a senior.[2][3] He committed to play college football for the Marshall Thundering Herd as a two-star prospect.[2]

College career

Neal appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2019, seeing action as backup linebacker and on special teams; he finished the season with 12 tackles and 0.5 tackles-for-loss (TFLs).[2] In 2020, he started all 10 games while recording 75 tackles, 5.0 TFLs, 1.5 sacks and an interception, being named honorable mention All-Conference USA.[2] He remained starter in 2021 and opened the season with Conference USA defensive player of the week honors, following an 11-tackle, three-sack performance against Navy.[4][5] That year, he was again named honorable mention all-conference, after totaling 97 tackles, second on the team, seven TFLs and 5.5 sacks.[2]

In 2022, Neal was named honorable mention All-Sun Belt Conference (SBC) after posting a team-leading 98 tackles, 9.5 TFLs and three sacks.[2] He returned for a final season in 2023, as all players were granted an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6] He was Marshall's 2023 leader with 93 tackles, also recording 10.5 TFLs and two sacks.[7] He was named a Group of Five All-American and a third-team All-SBC selection.[8][9] He ended his collegiate career having recorded 375 tackles, 32.5 TFLs, 12 sacks, five interceptions and five fumble recoveries.[7] His tackles total and TFLs total both placed in the top 20 in school history.[8] He participated in the Hula Bowl all-star game after the season.[9]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11+3⁄4 in
(1.82 m) 		222 lb
(101 kg) 		31+1⁄4 in
(0.79 m) 		9+5⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		 4.87 s 1.67 s 2.71 s 4.39 s 35.0 in
(0.89 m)		 9 ft 8 in
(2.95 m)		 19 reps
All values from Pro Day[10]

After going unselected in the 2024 NFL draft, Neal signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent.[7] He made the team's initial 53-man roster for the 2024 season.[11] He played in five games before being waived on October 21, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad.

References

  1. ^ "Elias Neal". ESPN.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Eli Neal". Marshall Thundering Herd.
  3. ^ Dawson, Dudley E. (June 14, 2018). "Neal hoping to catch eye of multiple coaches". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
  4. ^ Taylor, Grant (September 6, 2021). "Marshall football: Eli Neal named C-USA defensive player of the week". Charleston Gazette-Mail – via archive.ph.
  5. ^ Bragg, Tom (October 27, 2021). "Neal has the respect of his teammates". The Register-Herald – via archive.ph.
  6. ^ Martin, Mark (September 13, 2023). "Marshall Football: Eli Neal is trying to slow down time". WCHS-TV.
  7. ^ a b c "Herd one of four Group of Five teams with multiple players drafted". Marshall Thundering Herd. April 28, 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Harrison, Neal Named HERO Group Of Five All-Americans". Marshall Thundering Herd. December 14, 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Sun Belt Football Alums Set for Caribe Royale Orlando Hula Bowl". Sun Belt Conference. January 11, 2024.
  10. ^ "Eli Neal College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  11. ^ Creasy, Luke (August 29, 2024). "Six former Herd players make the cut for NFL 53-man rosters". The Herald-Dispatch.