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'05 SC RB J.C. Neal (NC State signee)

Buckskin86

Moderator
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http://scout.theinsiders.com/a.z?s=73&p=8&cfg=null&c=1&yr=2005&nid=1177417

http://rivals100.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=26797

Ht: 6-1 Wt: 185 40: 4.37
Position: S, RB
Projected as: S, RB
High School: Lakewood HS
(Sumter, SC)
Rated 6th best prospect in SC and 2nd RB (to Mike Davis who we have offered) by Insiders

Biography:
"I have great speed and vision. I make things happen. I've run under a 4.4 before. I don't do much juking, I just get it and go. I want to get better at catching in the backfield and improve my hands. I want to improve my agility and footwork. I prefer RB because you get more action at RB. You're always doing something."

BPs 250/SQs 350/VJ 33
JR Stats: 169 rushes/937 yds/9 TDs; 34 tackles/2 FC/1 FR/1 pick.

2.5/Apr 3 ACT

Audibles: "He just doesn't hit the hole, he explodes through the hole. He could be one of the top five players in South Carolina for 2005 and could see the field at five different positions." -Lakewood coach Greg Crolley

http://goupstate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040603/PSPORTS02/40603005/-1/PSPORTS

June 03, 2004
Neal's Offer List Reaches 11
By Phil Kornblut
Lakewood RB J.C. Neal (6-1 181) has received offers from Virginia Tech and South Carolina State pushing his overall total to 11. Neal also has offers from Maryland, Duke, Iowa State, Vanderbilt, USC, Clemson, Florida State, NC State and Ohio State. Other schools showing interest include Georgia, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Florida, Marshall, Wake Forest, Nebraska, Notre Dame and Penn State.

Most schools seem to be recruiting him as a RB but some like him as a S- another versatile athlete.

I watched his premium video - he looks good- he runs between tackles and takes it outside with speed- very good at breaking tackles and is elusive- he seems to run with a forward lean (running downhill)- just takes the ball and runs (no messing around)
 
Good find, Buckskin.

I agree with your comments on his film - Neal has a nice combination of speed and power, and runs "bigger" than 185 lbs; not many "moves", but you don't really need any when you can run past and through people. How do you feel about Neal as a prospect compared to Mo Wells and Mikell Simpson?

Unfortunately, Rivals doesn't indicate that Neal has any interest in OSU. :(
 
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How do you feel about Neal as a prospect compared to Mo Wells and Mikell Simpson?

LJB- I think his style is closer to Simpson but I think Neal has a little more speed. Simpson runs a little upright but is also a much better receiver out of the backfield. Plus Simpson is probably more versatile and could be a great CB. But for a "pure back" I like the video I saw of Neal better.

Wells is a different style- He has tremendous speed and is much more elusive than Neal but doesn't run with the same power. If I had to make a choice based on the video I would take Wells over Neal.
 
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Interesting takes. All three backs have special abilities. Wells is a speed back with excellent moves; Neal is a speed back with decent power; Simpson could probably play RB, WR, or DB - he reminds me of Robert Smith, and, because he "glides" when he runs, he has deceptive speed. I'd take any of the three, but Simpson is probably the most intriguing prospect (not necessarily the best or safest....)
 
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LordJeffBuck said:
Nutty - this may be getting a bit far afield, but how would you rank the Ohio RB's (Ringer, Sutton, Brinson, Tolbert, Simpson, others)? Do you think that any will get an offer?

Not sure how much my opinion counts and I've only seen these guys on film but if I was ranking them it would look something like this:

1. Ringer - Not the biggest back out there but he shows good vision and makes moves that remind me of Barry Sanders. He doesn't have blazing speed but he's certainly fast enough and . Speed is overrated when it comes to running backs, IMO. One site says Ringer has qualified, another says he should qualify. I am a big fan of Ringer.

2. Sutton - You have to think the only thing holding back offers from big time schools is his size. Many think he'll win Mr. Ohio hands down this year. He has speed to burn and runs extremely hard and surprisingly well inside considering his size. I like his toughness.

3. Tolbert - He, along with Mister Simpson, has the size others in this class lack and I'm admittedly partial to bigger backs. I would also rate him a little higher because he's a good student and faces good competition down at Xenia. He's not a burner but I could see him putting on a little weight and effectively running between the tackles in the Big Ten.

4. Brinson - IMO he is just to small for RB and I honestly don't think he would hold up running the ball in the Big Ten. He's quick if not fast and comes from a big time program but I like him better as a DB. I believe his heart is set on playing RB though.

I don't think I've seen Simpson on film but he sounds like a nice back with decent size, which I like. I thought Dennis Underwood had a chance to be offered but I believe I read he's ineligible this year. It's not a banner year for running backs in state.
 
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http://goupstate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040609/PSPORTS02/40609012/-1/PSPORTS

June 09, 2004
Neal Strong On Out of State Schools
By Phil Kornblut
USC and Clemson are fighting an up hill battle when it comes to keeping RB J.C. Neal (6-1 180) of Lakewood in state. "I want to get out of the state," Neal said. With that in mind, he favors NC State and Virginia Tech right now. Both have offered along with USC, Clemson, Maryland, Duke, Iowa State, Vanderbilt, Florida State, Ohio State, Auburn and SC State. Neal says Duke and Auburn are next on his list. He did say he would go to USC if he were to stay in state. Neal will camp this weekend at North Carolina. He has other camp stops upcoming at NC State, Duke, Virginia Tech and Auburn.

Well at least he said he wants to go to school out of state :tongue2:

Obviously it sounds like a long shot :(
 
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Well JC ended up tearing us up for 200+ and 4 TDs...had two INTs in the Shrine Bowl in December also. Nice pickup for Chuck

Neal Will Sign With The Wolfpack

By Conan Gasque
Sumter WR J.C. Neal (6-1 183) committed to N.C. State during his visit with the Wolfpack over the weekend. "I enjoyed it so much, I went ahead and committed," he said. Neal said he will probably not make his scheduled visit to Clemson this coming weekend. The speedy WR was impressed with N.C. State's fans during a basketball game he attended over the weekend. "I thought they were just crazy for football, but they were outrageous at that basketball game." He also said he felt like he could get early playing time, and that "it felt like home." Neal chose N.C. State over USC, Maryland and Virginia Tech.
 
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