Julian Neal

● Above-average height and length, with a solid build ● Size and leaping skills show on fades and in his ability to high point ● Naturally tracks and plays the football (see 2025 Memphis tape) ● Decent sink and hip fluidity in cover transitions ● Plays with confidence in his ability to read and play leverage ● Shows lateral agility to move well in short areas ● Prides himself on physicality and resiliency in all areas (Neal: “I’ll die on the field, if I need to.”) ● Aggressive tackler — improved his come-to-balance skills to cut down on misses in 2025 ● One of just six combine prospects (out of 319) that competed in every drill

● Long speed is good, not great ● Able to carry receivers vertically but struggles to recover if they gain a step ● Needs to improve ability to read receivers once his back is turned to the ball ● Hints of tightness in his ankles when attempting to make sharp direction changes ● Abandons technique too quickly when stressed by speed ● Can get grabby with his off hand (pair of pass interference flags on 2025 Memphis tape) ● Want to see continued improvements with his tackling technique, instead of going for hit stick 533 Back to table of contents -- 537 of 629 -- ● Just 16 career starts in college (and one season at Power 4 level)

A one-year starter at Arkansas (and one-and-a-half-year starter overall), Neal was a perimeter cornerback in former defensive coordinator Travis Williams’ man/zone scheme. A former hooper and wide receiver, he showed gradual improvements at corner over his time at Fresno State and was graded by NFL teams over the summer as a “low-money” undrafted free agent. However, he transferred to Arkansas in 2025 and changed the narrative with an impressive senior campaign. Neal matches up well physically and plays to his size in different ways. He crowds receivers at the line, pins opponents against the sideline and contests catch points (when he finds the football) — you can see his receiver background in his ball skills and catch-point timing. He also shows his physicality when getting off blocks and working downhill as a tackler. He lacks suddenness in his mirroring footwork, however, and his technique tends to fall apart versus twitchy receivers. Overall, Neal lacks top-shelf speed for easy recoveries, but he stands out with his length, ascending cover talent and ability to play the football from different angles. He has the potential to be an NFL starter for both man and zone teams.