University of Northern Iowa Athletics
2016 Football Roster
Roster
Rickey Neal Jr.
- Position:
- Linebacker
- Class:
- Sophomore
- Hometown:
- Racine, Wis.
- High School:
- Horlick HS
2017: Named to All-MVFC Second Team... Played in 13 games, making 10 starts for the Panthers at defensive end... Led the MVFC in sacks, after racking up 9.5 on the year... Recorded 51 tackles, with 15.0 for loss... Earned a team-high seven quarterback hurries, while forcing and recovering two fumbles... Earned a career-high five solo tackles to go along with two sacks against Western Illinois (10/7)... Finished with a career-high 3.5 sacks against Youngstown State (10/21)... Named MVFC Defensive Player of the Week, STATS FCS Defensive Player of the Week Honorable Mention and HERO Sports HERO of the Week (10/22) after his effort against Youngstown State (10/21)... Earned a seven total tackles against South Dakota (11/4), with 2.5 going for a loss and a forced fumble and recovery against the Coyotes... Recovered a forced fumble and recorded five tackles against South Dakota State (12/2).
2016: Played in nine games, starting seven between linebacker and the defensive line ... had 22 tackles including 6.0 for loss of yards, a team-high three forced fumbles and an interception ... ranked No. 16 in the FCS in force fumbles ... had two solo stops and three total tackles against #14 Montana (9/10) ... recorded three tackles including a sack and a forced fumble against #11 Youngstown State (10/15) ... notched a career-high eight tackles, including two TFL, a sack and his first-career interception against Indiana State (11/5) ... had four tackles, a sack for a loss of nine yards and two quarterback hurries in UNI's win over #17 Western Illinois (11/12).
2015: Saw action in 12 games on special teams and as a reserve linebacker … brought in eight tackles, including one sack … had two tackles, including a hand in a tackle for loss in UNI’s win over #6 South Dakota State (10/24) … had a solo sack for a loss of six yards against #23 Indiana State (11/7).
2014: Redshirted.
High School: Played football at Racine Horlick High School for Brian Fletcher … voted Offensive Player of the Year by his team while leading Horlick High School to a City championship in 2013 … also helped lead his team to a playoff appearance his senior season … earned All-Area honorable mention as a quarterback in 2013 … named a first team All-Conference selection in 2012 and 2013 … also lettered in basketball and track and field, earning seven total varsity letters while at Horlick High School.
Personal: Son of Margaret Garcia and Rickey Neal, Sr. … majoring in communication.
