Ryan Neal

BIOGRAPHY

Ryan Christopher Neal was born on December 24, 1995, in Hammond, Indiana. He is a safety in the NFL. 

He played college football at Southern Illinois.

He attended Merrillville High school where he was named to AP 6A All-State team and Indiana Football Coaches Association All-State Top 25 as a senior. He was a Two-time IFCA All-State Top 50 selection, Two-time All-Conference, and All-Area selection and was named the top defensive back in the state in 2013 by the Indianapolis Star.

He played college football at Southern Illinois University; as a freshman in 2014, he played in all 12 games and started the first five games of the year at safety. He recorded 33 tackles and had one tackle for loss, Broke up two passes and had one QB hurry; had a season-high seven tackles in wins over Eastern Illinois and Western Illinois. He was one of three true freshmen to play and Earned a spot on the MVFC Academic Honor Roll.

In 2015 he started all 11 games at cornerback; he transitioned from safety to cornerback for the season. He was Fifth on the team with 60 tackles, also had 2.5 tackles for loss and broke up 11 passes; he was Fourth in the MVFC in passes defended per game and third on the team with 38 solo tackles. He blocked a kick at Indiana State and earned a spot on the MVFC Academic Honor Roll.

In 2016 he played in 11 games and started five at safety; he was Sixth on the team with 49 tackles and Picked off two passes. He received the MVFC Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award, which re­quires a minimum GPA of 3.2 for the previous two semesters. In 2017 he led the team with three interceptions and tied for the team lead with 84 tackles and was named honorable mention All-Missouri Valley Football Conference.

Neal signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2018. The Atlanta Falcons signed Neal on August 11, 2018; he was promoted to the Falcons active roster on November 28, 2018. He made his NFL debut on December 9, 2018.

Neal was signed to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad on September 2, 2019. The Seahawks promoted Neal to the active roster on December 11, 2019.

Neal re-signed with the Seahawks on April 20, 2020. He was waived on September 5, 2020, and signed to the practice squad the next day. He was elevated to the active roster on September 26 for the team's week 3 game against the Dallas Cowboys. With six seconds remaining in the game, he intercepted Dak Prescott in the end zone, sealing a 38–31 victory for the Seahawks. After automatically reverting to the practice squad following the game, Neal was promoted to the active roster on September 30, 2020. On October 4, 2020, with Adams and Lano Hill still injured, he made his first start for the Seahawks in a game against the Miami Dolphins. Neal made 6 tackles, and also collected his second interception, from Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Neal signed a one-year exclusive-rights free agent tender with the Seahawks on June 8, 2021.

Neal's restricted free agent tender he signed earlier in 2023 was rescinded by the team on March 31, 2023. This move by the Seahawks officially made Neal a free agent.

Neal signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on April 4, 2023.