A basketball-convert-turned-offensive-lineman who oozes raw athleticism but is still catching up to the technical demands of the position after only six total years of football experience. Neal's movement skills are special — his OL coach at Iowa State called him the most athletic lineman he's ever coached — and when he's locked in on technique, the lateral quickness and bend show up in both pass sets and pulling reps. The problem is consistency: a 39.3 PFF overall grade in his first starting season (2023) tells you the technique lapses are real and frequent, even if the 2025 tape showed meaningful improvement. He's a developmental swing tackle / guard prospect whose ceiling is a zone-scheme starter if a patient coaching staff can harness the physical tools, but the floor is a camp body who never puts the technique together at NFL speed.
- Elite-level raw athleticism for an offensive lineman — basketball background gives him rare lateral quickness and body control
- Positional versatility with experience at LT, LG, and even tight end alignments, giving NFL teams multiple deployment options
- Strong core and good bend that translate to power transfer in the run game, particularly on pulling plays
- Demonstrated significant year-over-year improvement, suggesting high coaching receptiveness and growth trajectory
- Carries 322 pounds well on frame with quick feet for his size in pass protection
- Very limited football experience overall — didn't play football until senior year of high school, still refining fundamental OL technique
- PFF overall grade of 39.3 and run-blocking grade of 34.2 in 2023 starting season reflect severe technical inconsistency
- Can get overextended due to athletic instincts overriding proper pad level and base, per his own OL coach
- Not invited to NFL Combine despite starting 32 games — signals NFL evaluators have concerns about translation
Similar profile of a physically gifted, versatile offensive lineman whose athletic tools are obvious but whose technique and consistency issues create a wide outcome range. Like Hart, Neal is a developmental swing OL prospect who needs the right coaching staff to unlock his potential.