Rajion Neal
 | |||
| No. 43 Cleveland Browns | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Running back | ||
| Personal information | |||
| Date of birth: | March 28, 1992 | ||
| Place of birth: | Atlanta, Georgia | ||
| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||
| Weight: | 211 lb (96 kg) | ||
| Career information | |||
| High school: | Tyrone (GA) Sandy Creek | ||
| College: | Tennessee | ||
| Undrafted: | 2014 | ||
| Career history | |||
| |||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||
| Roster status: | Injured reserve | ||
| Career NFL statistics | |||
| |||
Rajion Lashad Neal (born March 28, 1992) is an American football running back for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Tennessee. Neal was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He has also been a member of the Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Early years
Neal attended Sandy Creek High School in Tyrone, Georgia. He helped lead Sandy Creek to Class AAAA state championship in 2009, after he ran for 166 yards and one touchdown over Clarke Central. As a senior, he rushed for 1,816 yards on 291 carries (6.24 avg) and 33 touchdowns, earning the Georgia Sportswriters Class AAAA State Offensive Player of the Year.[1]
Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was rated the 9th best running back prospect in the nation.[2] He accepted a scholarship from Tennessee over offers from Mississippi State and Penn State.[3]
College career
Neal played in 10 games as a freshman for Tennessee and rushed 46 times for 197 yards (4.3 avg) and caught seven passes for 100 yards. In 2011, he played wide receiver and running back for the Volunteers, and recorded 13 catches for 269 yards and carried 27 times for 134 yards (5.0) with three touchdowns. As a junior, he appeared in 10 games for the season, missing two due to an ankle injury. He was the leading rusher on team with 708 yards on 156 carries (4.5 avg) and finished with nine total touchdowns on the season (five rushing, four receiving). He also caught 19 passes for 149 yards. As a senior in 2013, Neal rushed for a career high 1,124 yards on 215 carries (5.2 avg) and scored a career high 15 rushing TDs, and hauled in 27 passes for 108 yards.[4]
Professional career
Green Bay Packers
After going undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft, Neal signed with the Green Bay Packers on May 12, 2014.[5] On August 26, 2014, he was placed on injured reserve by the Packers.[6] On August 30, 2015, he was released by the Packers with an injury settlement. On November 3, 2014, he was signed to the Packers' practice squad.[7] On September 5, 2015, Neal was cut by the Packers.[8]
Miami Dolphins
On September 7, 2015, Neal was signed to the Miami Dolphins' practice squad.[9] On September 9, 2015, he was released by the Dolphins.[10]
Oakland Raiders
On September 22, 2015, the Oakland Raiders signed Neal to their practice squad.[11] On November 17, 2015, he was released by the Raiders.[12]
Pittsburgh Steelers
On December 1, 2015, he was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice squad. On January 18, 2016, the Steelers signed Neal to a future/reserve contract.[13]
Cleveland Browns
On August 4, 2016, Neal was signed by the Cleveland Browns.[14]
References
- ↑ Georgia High School Football Daily Spotlight: All-State Teams: Class AAAA
- ↑ Rajion Neal - Yahoo Sports
- ↑ 4-star Georgia TB Rajion Neal Commits To Tennessee
- ↑ Vols' Rajion Neal bursts past 1,000-yard mark
- ↑ "Packers announce roster moves". Packers.com. May 12, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
- ↑ "Packers place six players on IR, reduce roster to 75". Packers.com. August 26, 2014. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
- ↑ "Packers activate JC Tretter, release Derek Sherrod". Packers.com. November 3, 2014. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
- ↑ Demovsky, Rob (September 5, 2015). "Packers to keep three tight ends, cut RB Rajion Neal". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
- ↑ Poupart, Alain (September 7, 2015). "NOTEBOOK: Thomas Happy To Be With Dolphins; Other Notes". Dolphins.com. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
- ↑ Perkins, Chris (September 9, 2015). "Dolphins' Branden Albert to start Sunday against Redskins". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
- ↑ "Oakland Raiders Claim CB David Amerson via Waivers from Washington Redskins". Raiders.com. September 22, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
- ↑ "Raiders Make Roster Moves". Raiders.com. November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
- ↑ "NFL Transactions: Monday 1/18 - NFL Trade Rumors -". NFL Trade Rumors -. NFL Trade Rumors. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
- ↑ "Cleveland Browns sign FB Robert Hughes and RB Rajion Neal".