Elias Neal
{{Short description|American football player (born 2001)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Elias Neal
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| current_team = Los Angeles Rams
| number = 58
| position = Linebacker
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|9|11}}
| birth_place = Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lb = 227
| high_school = White Station
(Memphis, Tennessee)
| college = Marshall (2019–2023)
| undraftedyear = 2024
| pastteams =
- Los Angeles Rams ({{NFL Year|2024}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
| statseason =
| statweek =
| statlabel1 =
| statvalue1 =
| statlabel2 =
| statvalue2 =
| pfr = NealEl00
}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4428098/elias-neal|publisher=ESPN|title=Elias Neal}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://herdzone.com/sports/football/roster/eli-neal/7468|publisher=Marshall Thundering Herd|title=Eli Neal}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/jun/14/neal-hoping-catch-eye-multiple-coaches/|newspaper=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette|date=June 14, 2018|title=Neal hoping to catch eye of multiple coaches|author=Dawson, Dudley E.}} He committed to play college football for the Marshall Thundering Herd as a two-star prospect.
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). 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. 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.{{Cite news|url=https://archive.today/20240829194256/https://www.wvgazettemail.com/sports/marshall_university/marshall-football-eli-neal-named-c-usa-defensive-player-of-the-week/article_3f41cf6f-e9f7-56f9-bb91-cb7daed545ed.html|newspaper=Charleston Gazette-Mail|title=Marshall football: Eli Neal named C-USA defensive player of the week|date=September 6, 2021|author=Taylor, Grant|via=archive.ph}}{{Cite news|url=https://archive.today/20240829194246/https://www.register-herald.com/sports/college_sports/neal-has-the-respect-of-his-teammates/article_48d43dd3-256b-5cc3-bc33-26840256a898.html|newspaper=The Register-Herald|via=archive.ph|title=Neal has the respect of his teammates|date=October 27, 2021|author=Bragg, Tom}} That year, he was again named honorable mention all-conference, after totaling 97 tackles, second on the team, seven TFLs and 5.5 sacks.
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. He returned for a final season in 2023, as all players were granted an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|url=https://wchstv.com/sports/marshall/marshall-football-eli-neal-trying-to-slow-down-time|publisher=WCHS-TV|title=Marshall Football: Eli Neal is trying to slow down time|date=September 13, 2023|author=Martin, Mark}} He was Marshall's 2023 leader with 93 tackles, also recording 10.5 TFLs and two sacks.{{Cite web|url=https://herdzone.com/news/2024/4/28/six-2023-marshall-football-players-chasing-nfl-dreams|publisher=Marshall Thundering Herd|title=Herd one of four Group of Five teams with multiple players drafted|date=April 28, 2024}} He was named a Group of Five All-American and a third-team All-SBC selection.{{Cite web|url=https://herdzone.com/news/2023/12/14/football-harrison-neal-named-hero-group-of-five-all-americans|publisher=Marshall Thundering Herd|title=Harrison, Neal Named HERO Group Of Five All-Americans|date=December 14, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://sunbeltsports.org/news/2024/1/11/sun-belt-football-alums-set-for-caribe-royale-orlando-hula-bowl.aspx|publisher=Sun Belt Conference|title=Sun Belt Football Alums Set for Caribe Royale Orlando Hula Bowl|date=January 11, 2024}} He ended his collegiate career having recorded 375 tackles, 32.5 TFLs, 12 sacks, five interceptions and five fumble recoveries. His tackles total and TFLs total both placed in the top 20 in school history. He participated in the Hula Bowl all-star game after the season.
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 11 3/4
| weight = 222
| dash = 4.87
| ten split = 1.67
| twenty split = 2.71
| shuttle = 4.39
| vertical = 35.0
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 8
| bench = 19
| arm span = 31 1/4
| hand span = 9 5/8
| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1046977&DraftYear=2024 |title=Eli Neal College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=September 4, 2024}}
}}
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL draft, Neal signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent. He made the team's initial 53-man roster for the 2024 season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/marshall_sports/marshall-football-six-former-herd-players-make-the-cut-for-nfl-53-man-rosters/article_3cd6931c-655a-11ef-92b8-17344df266a1.html|newspaper=The Herald-Dispatch|title=Six former Herd players make the cut for NFL 53-man rosters|author=Creasy, Luke|date=August 29, 2024}} He played in five games before being waived on October 21, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 20, 2025.{{cite web|title=Rams sign 13 players to Reserve/Future contracts|url=https://www.therams.com/news/rams-sign-13-players-to-reserve-future-conracts-2025-aj-arcuri-quintez-cephus-drake-stoops-keir-thomas|author=Jackson, Stu|website=TheRams.com|date=January 20, 2025}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Los Angeles Rams roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Neal, Elias}}
Category:American football linebackers
Category:Players of American football from Memphis, Tennessee