*Note: Name links to official Purdue Bio.
Bio
Position: Defensive Tackle
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 310
Hometown: Cornelius, North Carolina
High School: William A. Hough
Recruiting Class: 2022
Former Team(s): Wisconsin / Illinois
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Eligibility Remaining: 1 Season
High School Recruiting Rankings: Rating (88.5) – National Rank: 459 – Position Rank: 53
Transfer Portal Rankings: Rating (87.9) – National Rank: 405 – Position Rank: 48
High School
Senior Season Stats: Missed due to Injury – Junior Stats: 32 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 3 sacks
Career Stats: 97 Tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 8 sacks
Notes:
First Team All-State as a Junior
Honorable Mention All-State as a Sophomore
High School Highlights
College Career2022 – Wisconsin2023 – Wisconsin
Appeared in 13 games with 1 start
13 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss
2024 – Wisconsin
30 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack
2025 – Illinois
Appeared in 12 games with 8 starts
15 tackles, .5 tackles for loss
College Highlights / Interviews2026 – Season Outlook
Starter: Defensive Tackle
Thoughts
Losing Chops Harkless to the portal was a tough offseason pill to swallow, but bringing in a seasoned Big 10 vet to plug the gap softens the blow a little. While Chops has NFL upside as a nose guard, Neal better fits the 4-man front Purdue will utilize this season.
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The Boilermakers are hoping that 2024 Curt Neal shows up in 2026 to give the front 4 a boost. I’m not sure why he fell off at Illinois last season, but Kevin Kane didn’t hesitate to bring him in as the presumptive starter at defensive tackle for the Boilermakers. Look for Purdue to utilize more twists and stunts on the inside this season, which looks like one of Neal’s specialties. Coach Odom and Kane want to put more defenders in the opposing backfield, and an active defensive tackle like Neal is a solid start.