Get to know the Badgers football 2022 recruiting class: DT Curtis Neal

By: Sam Dehring

Posted: Jul 17, 2022 6:59 PM CDT

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The next player is North Carolina defensive lineman Curtis Neal. The Badgers have a deep room up front on their defensive line, with the majority of them being upperclassmen. One of them being Keeanu Benton.

Neal had a good amount of offers from around the country before ultimately deciding to play for Paul Chryst and the Badgers. Neal is now one of 12 defensive lineman on the Badgers roster heading into the 2022 season.

Recruiting Profile:

Hometown: Cornelius, NC

Height: 6'-1"

Weight: 290 Ibs.

High School: William Amos Hough High School

247 Sports Composite:

[3-star | [No. 61 DL in the nation] | [No. 14 player in North Carolina] | [No. 14 player in North Carolina]

Rivals:

[3-star] | [No. 37 DL in the nation] | [No. 14 player in North Carolina]

Top Offers:

1. Wisconsin

2. Ohio State

3. Alabama

Awards:

First-Team All-State Honors (Junior)
All-State mention (Sophomore)

Commitment Date:

6/25/2021

Player Summary:

Neal was an early enrollee back in January for the Badgers after sitting out his 2021 senior season due to an ACL injury. On May 31, Neal was medically cleared to participate in everything. He missed spring practices, as he was still recovering from the ACL injury.

Neal is a run-stuffer who is very quick with his feet. As an interior defensive lineman, Neal has been seen plowing through his opponents in high school, sometimes with ease. Some analysts had Neal crystal balled to Ohio State, but he made the decision to come to Wisconsin.

After being medically cleared for everything, Neal is an intriguing player to watch for the future of the Badgers. It's likely Neal won't see the field a ton his first year. However, not only does he bring more depth to the interior defensive line, but Neal's developmental process will also be very exciting to follow throughout his time with the Badgers.