Keanu Neal

Keanu Neal's Biography

Keanu Neal is a distinguished American professional football player, born on July 26, 1995. He came into the spotlight after being drafted by the Atlanta Falcons as the 17th overall pick in the 2016 National Football League (NFL) Draft. Before embarking on his professional career, Neal played college football for the Florida Gators, demonstrating exceptional skills that positioned him as one of the prominent defensive players in the game.

Neal’s journey into football began in South Sumter High School, located in Bushnell, Florida. Despite initially playing as a linebacker, he later switched to safety. During his junior year, Neal’s exceptional talent began to shine brightly. He recorded 151 tackles, intercepted four passes, returned one for a 20-yard touchdown, forced four fumbles, deflected five passes, and notably scored an offensive touchdown as a goal-line fullback. Such outstanding feat didn’t go unnoticed as he received All-conference and All-state honors.

His senior year performance was no less impressive. He logged over 70 tackles and intercepted four passes, which strongly influenced his decision to commit to the University of Florida. At the university, Neal played under head coach Will Muschamp where he continued to augment his football credentials. As a freshman in 2013, he participated in all 12 games as a reserve player, heavily focusing on special teams and recording five special teams’ tackles.

2014, Neal’s sophomore year, saw him play in 10 games, starting eight at safety, albeit he was injured in the fifth game against the University of Georgia, leading him to miss the next two matches. Nevertheless, he managed to record 45 tackles and three interceptions, along with stellar performances against other universities such as Alabama, Missouri, and East Carolina.

Despite facing early setbacks due to an injury that ruled him out of the first two games of the 2015 season, Neal’s tenacity saw him play 11 of the 12 games. His performance was outstanding, leading the team in solo tackles (51) and recording 96 tackles overall, which was the third most on his team. His exceptional junior year performance served as a compelling reason for declaring himself eligible for the 2016 NFL Draft, setting the stage for his professional career.

Atlanta Falcons spotted and harnessed Neal’s remarkable talent, drafting him in the first round (17th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. Following his notable draft, Neal signed a fully guaranteed four-year contract worth $10.73 million with the Falcons, that included a hefty signing bonus of $6 million. Neal’s initial season with the Falcons saw him compete for the starting strong safety position, an opening created when the Falcons decided not to re-sign William Moore.

Despite having to leave a pre-season game against the Miami Dolphins due to a knee injury which needed surgery, Neal proved his worth in the third week of the regular season. He debuted against the New Orleans Saints, logged four combined tackles, and a pass deflection, ultimately assisting his team to victory. His rookie season ended with 105 total tackles, five forced fumbles, and nine passes defended, which earned him a place in the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

The following years painted Neal as a significant player in the NFL despite recurring injuries. In 2017, he recorded 116 combined tackles, alongside six pass deflections, three forced fumbles, and an interception, leading to his first Pro Bowl nomination. However, the 2018 and 2019 seasons were marred by severe injuries, costing him to miss the majority of the games.

Nonetheless, Neal made a comeback in succeeding seasons with remarkable performances, recording his first interception of the season in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs, and leading his team with 11 tackles in a game against the Detroit Lions.

In 2021, Neal moved to the Dallas Cowboys, reuniting with defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, under a one-year $5 million contract. Despite playing 14 games and recording 79 tackles, Neal was released by the Cowboys. He subsequently signed a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he logged 63 tackles, a half sack, one interception, and 4 passes defended.

However, by 2023, Neal signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but his stint was short-lived due to a failed physical in 2024 that ultimately led to his release from the team. As of writing, Neal remains a free agent, awaiting his next assignment in the world of professional American football.

In his personal life, Keanu Neal, named after actor Keanu Reeves, is the brother of Clinton Hart, a former NFL player. Neal speaks highly of his mentor, former Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor, who immensely influenced his love for the game. A testament to this influence is the signed Chancellor jersey that Neal keeps in his locker as a mark of respect.