Elias Neal Bio
Elias Neal (born September 11, 2001) is an American professional football linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and listed at 221 pounds, he wears jersey number 58 and is recognized for his tackling consistency and defensive leadership. Neal played college football for the Marshall Thundering Herd, where he developed into one of the most productive linebackers in program history before reaching the professional ranks as an undrafted free agent in 2024.
Known for his versatility, Neal played both running back and linebacker during his prep career before settling in on the defensive side at the college level. His path from a two-star recruit in Memphis, Tennessee, to a Group of Five All-American and a Rams roster contributor reflects steady, year-by-year growth on the field.
Early Life and Background
Elias Neal was born on September 11, 2001, in Memphis, Tennessee, in the United States. He grew up in his hometown and attended White Station High School, where he became a two-way contributor on the football field. His high school experience helped shape his football identity and laid the foundation for his future at the collegiate level.
At White Station, Neal lined up at both running back and linebacker, showing the kind of two-way athleticism that would later define his reputation for versatility. As a senior, he recorded 750 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on offense, paired with 95 tackles and two interceptions on defense. Those numbers caught the attention of college programs evaluating multi-role defensive prospects.
Coming out of high school, Neal was rated as a two-star recruit. He ultimately committed to play college football for the Marshall Thundering Herd, choosing a Conference USA program that had a strong track record of developing defensive talent. His decision to join Marshall set the stage for a five-year collegiate career that would transform him from a depth piece into a defensive leader.
Path to American Football
Neal’s path to the NFL began in earnest at Marshall, where he joined a Thundering Herd defense looking for reliable linebacker play. He appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2019, working primarily as a backup linebacker and on special teams. He finished that debut season with 12 tackles and 0.5 tackles-for-loss, earning valuable experience that prepared him for a larger role.
In 2020, Neal broke into the starting lineup and started all 10 games. He recorded 75 tackles, 5.0 tackles-for-loss, 1.5 sacks, and an interception, and he was recognized with honorable mention All-Conference USA honors. The following year, he opened the 2021 season by earning Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week honors after an 11-tackle, three-sack performance against Navy. He finished that year with 97 tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, and 5.5 sacks, earning another honorable mention all-conference selection.
When Marshall moved to the Sun Belt Conference, Neal continued to produce. In 2022, he posted a team-leading 98 tackles along with 9.5 tackles-for-loss and three sacks, earning honorable mention All-Sun Belt recognition. He returned for a final collegiate season in 2023, a year granted by the extra eligibility rule following the COVID-19 pandemic, and was named a Group of Five All-American and a third-team All-Sun Belt selection.
Elias Neal Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Neal’s early Marshall career was defined by a steady climb from reserve contributor to full-time starter. After a learning-year freshman campaign, he seized a starting role in 2020 and immediately delivered, posting 75 tackles while showing the kind of sideline-to-sideline range that linebacker coaches prize. His performance earned him honorable mention All-Conference USA recognition in each of his first two full seasons as a starter.
By 2021, Neal had clearly established himself as a defensive cornerstone. His three-sack game against Navy opened the season on a high note and signaled that he was ready for a heavier pass-rushing workload. He finished his Conference USA years with significant tackle totals, demonstrating durability by starting every game and providing Marshall with a reliable defensive anchor through the program conference transition.
Marshall Thundering Herd Breakthrough (2022–2023)
The 2022 season marked Neal’s senior statistical peak in terms of run-defense production. He led the Thundering Herd with 98 tackles while adding 9.5 tackles-for-loss and three sacks, and his honorable mention All-Sun Belt selection confirmed his status as one of the conference top linebackers. The move to a new conference did not slow his output; instead, it raised his visibility among professional scouts.
In 2023, Neal completed his collegiate career with another strong campaign, recording 93 tackles, 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, and he was selected to participate in the Hula Bowl all-star game. Across his full Marshall career, he tallied 375 tackles, 32.5 tackles-for-loss, 12 sacks, five interceptions, and five fumble recoveries, with both his career tackles and tackles-for-loss totals placing in the top 20 in program history.
Los Angeles Rams Era (2024–Present)
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Elias Neal signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent. He earned a spot on the team’s initial 53-man roster for the 2024 season, an accomplishment in itself for a former two-star recruit. He appeared in five games before being waived on October 21, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad the same week. On January 20, 2025, he signed a reserve/future contract with Los Angeles, keeping his Rams future intact.
Neal continued to grind through the 2025 offseason with the Rams. On August 26, 2025, he was waived as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. He was elevated to the Rams active roster ahead of their Week 6 game at the Baltimore Ravens, earning another opportunity to contribute on defense and special teams. On January 27, 2026, Neal signed another reserve/futures contract, locking in his place with Los Angeles as he continued to develop his professional trajectory.
Driving Style and Strengths
Neal is best known for his tackling consistency and his ability to play in space, having logged more than 90 tackles in three straight collegiate seasons. His pass-rushing production, including a three-sack game against Navy, shows he can pressure the quarterback when offenses leave him a clear lane. Combined with his interception and fumble-recovery numbers, his profile points to a linebacker who can contribute in multiple defensive phases.
Notable Events and Milestones
Signature moments in Neal’s career include his Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week honor in 2021, his 2023 Group of Five All-American selection, and his appearance in the Hula Bowl all-star game. He also carved out a place in the Marshall record book, with career tackles and tackles-for-loss totals ranking among the top 20 in school history.
Elias Neal Career Wins
While individual game-by-game win totals at the NFL level are not fully documented for Neal, his career arc shows consistent production and steady roster security with the Los Angeles Rams. His ability to remain with the franchise through multiple practice-squad moves, elevations, and reserve/futures contracts is itself a marker of his value to the team’s defensive plans.
Marshall Thundering Herd Highlights
At Marshall, Neal started for four seasons and finished as one of the program’s all-time leading tacklers, with 375 career stops and 32.5 tackles-for-loss, both top-20 marks in school history. His first major on-field recognition came in 2020, when he was named honorable mention All-Conference USA, and he repeated that honor in 2021. His most recent collegiate honor was a third-team All-Sun Belt selection in 2023, paired with Group of Five All-American recognition.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his primary conference awards, Neal earned the Sun Belt Conference defensive player of the week distinction during the 2021 season after his big performance against Navy, a result that foreshadowed his pass-rushing upside. He also represented Marshall in the 2024 Hula Bowl, one of the premier all-star games for senior NFL prospects.
Elias Neal Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available information about Elias Neal’s parents and broader family is limited, and verified details are not on record.
Personal Life
Neal is from Memphis, Tennessee, and has continued his football career in the United States. He has not publicly disclosed details about a spouse or children based on the verified information available.
2025 Season Performance
Elias Neal’s 2025 campaign with the Los Angeles Rams was a study in perseverance. He entered the offseason on a reserve/futures contract and reported to training camp fighting for a depth linebacker role. After being waived on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts, he returned to the practice squad the next day and kept working toward another opportunity.
That opportunity came ahead of Week 6, when the Rams elevated Neal to the active roster before their game at the Baltimore Ravens, giving him another chance to contribute on defense and special teams. His continued movement between the practice squad and the active roster reflected both the depth of the Rams linebacker room and Neal’s growing reliability as a developmental piece.
Looking forward, Neal’s standing with the Rams was reinforced on January 27, 2026, when he signed another reserve/futures contract with Los Angeles. That deal secured his place in the team’s plans as he continues to build on his college resume and chase a more permanent role on the Rams defense.