Arkansas cornerback Julian Neal is officially headed to the East-West Shrine Bowl, one of the premier pre-draft showcase events for NFL hopefuls. The week-long practices and scouting evaluations leading up to the game offer prospects a crucial opportunity to test themselves against top-tier competition and meet directly with NFL personnel and for Neal, it could be the stage that cements his rise.
At 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds, Neal brings prototypical NFL size to the cornerback position, and his game is built on physicality, fluid movement, and high-end instincts. His Shrine Bowl acceptance highlights the growing league-wide interest in a defender who has steadily emerged as one of the SEC’s most underrated playmakers.
A Press-Man Specialist With NFL Tools
Neal excels in press-man coverage, where his length, strength, and patience make him a tough matchup for any receiver. Despite his size, he’s a fluid athlete who can open his hips, flip cleanly, and run stride-for-stride with vertical threats.
His production over his last two seasons back up the traits:
- 15 pass breakups
- 4 interceptions
- 90 total tackles
Neal also misses almost nothing in the open field, just one missed tackle in that same span, a testament to his technique, toughness, and reliability.
Physicality and Versatility Rooted in His Safety Background
Before transferring to Arkansas, Neal spent time at Fresno State. His earlier experience as a safety continues to show in his game today. He attacks downhill with confidence, plays with exceptional run-fit discipline, and welcomes contact.
That background has molded him into one of the more complete defensive backs in the SEC:
- Ultra-consistent tackling form
- High-angle IQ
- Ability to break down in tight spaces
- Short-area quickness that lets him reset or re-anchor instantly, surprising for his size
- Physical boundary control against both receivers and blockers
Neal’s skill set gives him a high floor being one that coaches can trust him on the perimeter and in the run game from Day 1.
Refining His Technique Is the Key to Unlocking His Ceiling
While Neal’s physical attributes and instincts are NFL-ready, refining his technique will determine how high he rises during the pre-draft process. He’s shown he can:
- Stay square in soft-shoe press
- Transition fluidly between pedal, side-saddle, and mirror steps
- Squeeze vertical routes using frame and positioning
But scouts will want to see continued polish in his man-coverage footwork, especially early-phase control and smoother transitions out of press. That refinement, paired with proof of elite athleticism at the Combine, could push Neal from mid-round sleeper to one of the biggest risers in the draft.
Another major selling point: versatility. If teams feel he’s not quite a full-time corner at the next level, they can transition him back to safety without hesitation. His comfort playing downhill, reading blocking concepts, and tackling in space gives him a clean projection at either position. That flexibility adds to his overall value and makes him a safe investment with significant upside.
East-West Shrine Bowl Opportunity
The Shrine Bowl will give Neal the chance to prove he can dominate one-on-one reps against top receivers and show scouts what he’s like as a competitor, teammate, and communicator. For a prospect with Neal’s physical tools, production, and upward trajectory, a strong week in Dallas could vault him firmly into the early-round conversation.
He has the size. He has the physicality. He has the instincts.
Now he has the stage.