Ryan Neal

Class:
Freshman
Height:
6-2
Weight:
175
Hometown:
Merrillville, Ind.
High School:
Merrillville

2017 (SENIOR)

Named honorable mention All-MVFC ... Started all 11 games and led the team with 84 tackles ... Had a career-high 14 stops against Northern Iowa ... Recorded three interceptions and had a 52-yard INT return at SEMO ... Also had 8 tackles, a fumble recovery and pass breakup at SEMO to earn MVFC Defensive Player of the Week honors ... Finished his career ranked No. 27 in school history in tackles (226) and No. 10 in pass breakups (19).

2016 (JUNIOR)

Played in 11 games and started five at safety ... Sixth on the team with 49 tackles ... Picked off two passes ... 11 tackles and a PBU in the win over Southeast Missouri ... Two interceptions in the final four weeks of the season, one at Missouri State and one in the win over Western Illinois ... Received the MVFC Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award, which requires a minimum GPA of 3.2 for the previous two semesters.

2015 (SOPHOMORE)

Started all 11 games at cornerback…Transitioned from safety to cornerback for the season...Fifth on the team with 60 tackles…Also had 2.5 tackles for loss and broke up 11 passes…Fourth in the MVFC in passes defended per game…Third on the team with 38 solo tackles…Blocked a kick at Indiana State…Season-best eight tackles vs. Youngstown State and at South Dakota…Earned a spot on the MVFC Academic Honor Roll.

2014 (FRESHMAN)

Played in all 12 games and started the first five games of the year at safety...Made 33 tackles and had one tackle for loss...Broke up two passes and had one QB hurry...Made a season-high seven tackles in wins over Eastern Illinois and Western Illinois...One of three true freshmen to play....Earned a spot on the MVFC Academic Honor Roll.

HIGH SCHOOL

Named to AP 6A All-State team and Indiana Football Coaches Association All-State Top 25 as a senior...Two-time IFCA All-State Top 50 selection...Two-time All- Conference and All-Area selection...Named the top defensive back in the state in 2013 by the Indianapolis Star...As a junior, recorded 123 tackles, nine interceptions and two fumble recoveries for the Pirates.

PERSONAL

Full name is Ryan Christopher Neal...Born on Dec. 24, 1995 in Hammond, Ind....Son of Michael and Rhonda Neal...Father is a fireman, and mother is an admissions representative...Has three brothers and one sister...His brother, Mike, played six seasons for the Green Bay Packers and won Super Bowl XLV...Attended the same high school as San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich...Majoring in sport administration.