Julian Neal
Seattle SeahawksOur College Grade
How good he was in college at what his position is supposed to do, out of 100. Scored against everyone else at his position, adjusted for the level he played at. This is not his NFL grade.
College Production
Fresno State · Mountain West
| Season | Tkl | TFL | Sacks | Hur | PD | INT | Pos Rk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 32 | 4 | 1.0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 178 |
| 2025 | 55 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 20 |
The seasons in our college data. It does not always reach back to a player's first year.
Scouting Report
Arkansas · 2026 draft class
Julian Neal has enjoyed a breakout season for Arkansas after transferring from Fresno State, establishing himself as one of the most physically imposing cornerback prospects in the 2026 class at 6-2, 200 pounds. Neal has broken up six passes and picked off two more through the early portion of the season, showcasing improved ball skills and coverage instincts at the Power 4 level. His real value shines in disrupting screens and attacking downhill, where his size and physicality allow him to blow up plays and deliver punishing hits to ball carriers. The Razorbacks utilize Neal's versatility by aligning him in various coverages and asking him to contribute in run support, where his willingness to throw his 200-pound frame around makes him a force. Prior to Arkansas, Neal was a productive defender at Fresno State accumulating tackles and pass breakups in the Mountain West Conference. His 4.58 40-yard dash time is solid if not spectacular for his size, but his functional speed and length allow him to stay stride-for-stride with receivers downfield and contest catches at the catch point. Neal projects as a Day 3 pick who can contribute immediately on special teams while developing into a boundary corner capable of matching up with bigger X receivers.
Strengths
- Ideal NFL size at 6-2
- 200 pounds provides physicality and length to match up with bigger X receivers and contest catches
- Breakout production with 6 pass breakups and 2 interceptions demonstrates improved ball skills and playmaking ability at Power 4 level
- Excels at blowing up screens with downhill aggression and physicality
- using size advantage to deliver punishing hits on ball carriers
- Transfer from Fresno State to Arkansas and immediate production validates ability to compete at elevated competition level
- Versatility to play various coverage shells and contribute in run support makes him valuable three-down corner for NFL defensive schemes
- Willingness to throw 200-pound frame around in run defense shows toughness and competitive traits that NFL coache's value
- 4.58 40-yard dash time is adequate for size
- functional speed allows him to stay with receivers downfield despite not being burner
Concerns
- 4.58 40-yard dash is below-average speed for NFL cornerback standards
- will struggle to stay with elite speed receivers on vertical routes
- Limited starting experience at Power 4 level creates small sample size concerns about consistency and ability to handle every-down workload
- Transfer from Fresno State (Mountain West) raises questions about whether production came against lesser competition before Arkansas bump
- Ranked #10 cornerback on some boards but not appearing on others suggests inconsistent evaluations and questions about true NFL projection
- Only 2 interceptions suggests ball production may not match elite cornerback standards despite solid pass breakup numbers
- Tape evaluation needed to determine if physicality translates or if he relies too heavily on size without refined technique
- Day 3 projection indicates scouts see rotational boundary corner rather than every-down starter capable of shadowing elite receivers
- Playing in SEC at Arkansas but limited track record makes it difficult to project long-term consistency against NFL-caliber competition
Honors
Ranked #10 CB on some draft boards; Transfer from Fresno State to Arkansas (SEC); Breakout season recognition