Elias Neal Bio
Elias Neal is an American professional football linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). Born on September 11, 2001, in Memphis, Tennessee, he played college football for the Marshall Thundering Herd, where he developed into one of the most productive linebackers in program history. After going unselected in the 2024 NFL draft, Neal signed with the Rams as an undrafted free agent and has continued to build a role within the organization through practice squad and active roster moves.
Early Life and Background
Elias Neal grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, where he attended White Station High School and emerged as a versatile two-way player. As a senior, he split his time between running back and linebacker, finishing the year with 750 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on offense, while also posting 95 tackles and two interceptions on defense. That combination of offensive production and defensive responsibility caught the attention of college scouts and helped shape his future identity as a linebacker who could impact the game in multiple ways.
Coming out of high school, Neal was rated as a two-star prospect and ultimately committed to play college football for the Marshall Thundering Herd. His decision to join Marshall gave him the opportunity to grow physically and technically, and the program offered a clear path to regular playing time. By the time he arrived on campus, Neal had already shown the kind of production that suggested he could develop into a starting-caliber defender at the college level.
Path to American Football
Neal’s path to the professional ranks began with his transition from a high school two-way player to a full-time linebacker at Marshall. Listed at 6 feet 0 inches tall and around 100 kilograms, he brought a sturdy frame and a physical mindset to the Thundering Herd defense. Coaches quickly identified him as a young player with starter potential, and he earned opportunities on special teams and as a backup linebacker during his true freshman year.
His development accelerated year by year, with steady increases in tackles, tackles for loss, and sacks as he grew more comfortable reading opposing offenses. By his sophomore season, Neal had become a full-time starter, and by his junior and senior years he was widely recognized as one of the conference’s most productive defenders. His college trajectory, combined with his leadership in statistical categories, made him a strong candidate for an NFL opportunity despite not being drafted.
Elias Neal Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Neal appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2019, working as a backup linebacker and contributing on special teams. He finished that season with 12 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss, getting his first taste of consistent college action. In 2020, he started all 10 games and posted 75 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and an interception, earning honorable mention All-Conference USA recognition.
As a junior in 2021, Neal opened the season with Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording 11 tackles and three sacks against Navy. He finished the year with 97 tackles, second on the team, along with seven tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks, earning another honorable mention all-conference nod. Those seasons established him as a defensive cornerstone for the Thundering Herd.
Marshall Breakthrough (2022–2023)
In 2022, Neal was named honorable mention All-Sun Belt Conference after leading Marshall with 98 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks. His consistency in run support and his ability to disrupt plays behind the line of scrimmage made him a focal point of the defense. The following year, he returned for a final season in 2023, taking advantage of the extra year of eligibility granted to all players due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During his senior campaign, Neal led Marshall with 93 tackles, while also adding 10.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. He was named a Group of Five All-American and a third-team All-Sun Belt selection, capping a strong collegiate career. Over his five seasons at Marshall, he totaled 375 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, five interceptions, and five fumble recoveries, with his career tackle and tackle for loss totals placing in the top 20 in school history. He also participated in the Hula Bowl all-star game after the season.
Los Angeles Rams Era (2024–Present)
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL draft, Neal signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent. He made the team’s initial 53-man roster for the 2024 season, appearing in five games before being waived on October 21, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad. He later signed a reserve and future contract on January 20, 2025, keeping him in the Rams organization.
On August 26, 2025, Neal was waived by the Rams as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. Prior to the Rams’ Week 6 game at the Baltimore Ravens, he was elevated to the team’s active roster. His continued movement between the practice squad and active roster reflects a player who remains in the team’s long-term plans.
Driving Style and Strengths
On the football field, Neal’s strengths are rooted in his versatility, instincts, and tackling consistency. Having played running back and linebacker in high school, he understands offensive tendencies and brings that football intelligence to defensive reads. His production in tackles, tackles for loss, and sacks at Marshall suggests a linebacker who can contribute in both run defense and passing situations, while his special teams background adds further value to a roster.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most notable moments of Neal’s career was his Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week performance against Navy in 2021, when he recorded 11 tackles and three sacks. His Group of Five All-American honor and third-team All-Sun Belt selection in 2023 marked the high point of his college career, and his Hula Bowl appearance showcased his skills on a national stage. Reaching the NFL as an undrafted free agent and carving out a role with the Rams also stands as a significant milestone.
Elias Neal Career Highlights
Across his college and early professional career, Elias Neal has built a resume defined by consistent production and steady advancement. At Marshall, he finished among the program’s all-time leaders in tackles and tackles for loss, and he earned multiple all-conference selections. Since joining the Los Angeles Rams, he has continued to fight for roster spots and game-day opportunities at the highest level of the sport.
Conference USA and Sun Belt Highlights
During his time at Marshall, Neal recorded 375 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, five interceptions, and five fumble recoveries over five seasons. He earned honorable mention All-Conference USA honors in 2020 and 2021, and honorable mention All-Sun Belt recognition in 2022, before being named a third-team All-Sun Belt selection in 2023. His first major individual accolade came with Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week honors after his performance against Navy in 2021.
Other Performances
In addition to his conference honors, Neal was named a Group of Five All-American in 2023 and participated in the Hula Bowl all-star game following the season. His high school totals of 750 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns, 95 tackles, and two interceptions as a senior at White Station highlighted his two-way ability. Those numbers helped establish his reputation as a versatile defender long before he reached the NFL.
Elias Neal Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Elias Neal was raised in Memphis, Tennessee, and developed his athletic foundation at White Station High School, where he emerged as a standout two-way football player. Details about his parents and broader family background are not publicly confirmed in available sources.
Personal Life
Neal’s personal life, including marital status, spouse, and children, is not publicly documented in verified sources. His professional presence can be followed through his verified social media accounts, where he shares updates related to his football career.
2025 Season Performance
Elias Neal’s 2025 season with the Los Angeles Rams has been defined by movement between the practice squad and the active roster. After signing a reserve and future contract in January 2025, he was waived during final roster cuts in late August and quickly re-signed to the practice squad the following day. His continued presence in the organization signals that the Rams view him as a developmental linebacker worth keeping in their system.
Neal was elevated to the active roster prior to the Rams’ Week 6 game at the Baltimore Ravens, providing him an opportunity to contribute on defense or special teams. Such elevations often serve as a chance for young players to prove they belong on the 53-man roster on a permanent basis. His early-season trajectory mirrors that of many undrafted linebackers who earn their opportunities through steady special teams play and consistent practice performance.
Looking ahead, Neal’s outlook for the remainder of the 2025 season depends on his ability to translate his college production into NFL-level contributions. With a strong foundation of tackles, tackles for loss, and sacks at Marshall, he has the statistical pedigree to compete for a longer-term role in Los Angeles. Continued opportunities on special teams and in defensive packages could help him secure a more permanent place on the Rams’ active roster.