As the NFL world turns its attention to Indianapolis for the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, all eyes in Fayetteville will be on one Razorback in particular: Arkansas cornerback Julian Neal.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound defensive back enters the week as one of the more intriguing and volatile prospects in this year’s class. A projected Day 2 to early Day 3 selection, roughly rounds three through five, Neal has a legitimate opportunity to reshape his draft narrative. With the right performance, he could push into the second round. With a poor showing, he could slide. Few players in his range have more to gain, or lose.
Julian Neal Representing Arkansas on the Big Stage
Neal’s journey through the Arkansas Razorbacks football program has been defined by physicality and competitive toughness. At Arkansas, he built his reputation as a bigger, more imposing corner who thrives at the line of scrimmage and down the field.
He typically wins early in the rep. Neal excels at jamming receivers off the line, disrupting timing, and rerouting vertical threats. When aligned in press-man coverage, he uses his length and strength to dictate releases. Against bigger wideouts and boundary targets, he looks the part of an NFL outside corner.
But the combine will test more than just what shows up on Saturday tape.
The NFL Combine’s defensive back drills are designed to expose both strengths and weaknesses. For Neal, several events will be under the microscope:
Key Combine Drills That Will Define Neal’s NFL Draft Stock
The 40-yard dash be the most important test of his week. Questions linger about his long speed, especially when matched against smaller, quicker receivers. A strong 40 time would quiet concerns about whether he can consistently hold up outside at corner. It would also ease talk of a potential move to safety at the next level.
If Neal posts a number that aligns with starting-caliber NFL corners, teams will feel more comfortable keeping him on the boundary rather than projecting him inside or deeper in the secondary.
The combine’s position drills heavily emphasize pedal, plant-and-drive mechanics, and the ability to flip hips smoothly. This is where evaluators will focus closely.
On tape, Neal has shown some lateral limitations. He can struggle getting in and out of his pedal and executing clean zone turns against twitchier pass catchers. His hip fluidity and ability to redirect against sudden route breaks have been areas of concern.
If he looks cleaner and more fluid than expected, it could significantly boost his stock. If stiffness shows up again in a controlled environment, teams may project him more as a matchup-specific corner or a safety conversion candidate.
Vertical and broad jumps will also matter. Neal wins vertically on tape when he can stay in phase and use his size at the catch point. Strong explosion numbers would reinforce the idea that he has the burst to recover and contest downfield.
Corner or Safety? The Positional Debate
Neal’s build, 6’1”, 200 pounds, gives him legitimate versatility. He has the physical profile to play outside corner, but also enough size to transition to safety if needed.
If he runs well and shows improved fluidity in drills, he strengthens his case as a true boundary corner. If the testing confirms concerns about lateral agility, some teams may prefer him as a hybrid defensive back, a safety who can match up in the slot or play press in sub-packages.
The combine isn’t just about running and jumping. Neal’s interviews may be just as critical.
Teams will want to see:
- Can he “talk ball” at a high level?
- Does he understand route concepts and coverage adjustments?
- How does he handle self-scouting and discussing weaknesses?
- What kind of teammate and leader is he?
For a player with some projection involved, strong interviews can provide reassurance. If Neal shows a deep understanding of defensive schemes and demonstrates maturity and accountability, evaluators will feel more confident betting on his development.
Neal enters Indianapolis as a classic high-variance prospect. His physical style, press ability, and vertical competitiveness make him appealing. His lateral quickness and transitional fluidity raise questions.
That volatility is what makes this week so pivotal.
A strong 40-yard dash, clean backpedal drills, and confident interviews could push him firmly into Day 2, perhaps even sneaking into the second round. A middling performance could solidify him as a fourth- or fifth-round pick. A disappointing showing might send him sliding further than expected.