NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Arkansas CB Julian Neal

Julian Neal has a physical mindset and long, powerful arms to match as a boundary corner. He had a stretch of five straight weeks with a pass breakup in 2025 and proved he belonged on the SEC stage against some of the best competition.

The former 3-star recruit played four seasons at Fresno State, only making four starts in his time there before transferring to Arkansas and making an immediate impact. He started all 12 games for the Razorbacks and set career highs across the board, making 55 tackles (32 solo), two tackles for loss, two interceptions, and an impressive ten passes defensed.

Dan has covered the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL Draft since 2019 while contributing for RGR Football. Most recently, he spent the 2025 draft cycle at The Draft Network and is entering his first season in our scouting department.

Highlights

Julian Neal highlights

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Where He Wins

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— Neal is a proficient man-coverage boundary corner with the ideal body type who uses his length and powerful stab to re-route receivers and throw off their timing.

— The 6'1", 203-pound corner has loose hips for his size, enabling him to turn and run with receivers at all three levels. He does a good job maintaining connection in man coverage throughout the route with his length and taking away throws.

— His ability to impact the catch point jumps off the screen, not just with his length, but the timing and quickness with which he throws his hands. Shows off some quick tracking when the ball is in the air with good ball skills to match.

— Physicality in every phase helps him be a contributor in the run and screen game. He attacks blocks on the perimeter and maintains outside leverage to drive ball carriers inside.

Areas of Improvement

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— Neal's instincts and route recognition are still developing; he's late to pass off routes to safety help and take underneath routes entering his zone, giving up big plays.

— He has good movement skills for his size, but he struggles to decelerate and change direction at high speeds. There's a hitch in his trigger, downhill and accelerating after flipping his hips.

— His press technique and overall consistency are lacking in regard to jam timing and using the proper hand. He tends to lock his hips with a cross-body jam, which can give receivers an easier release when the jam timing is off.

Grade, Rank and Pro Comparison

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GRADE: 7.2 (High-Level Backup/Starter Upside — 3rd Round)

COMPARABLE GRADE: CB Zy Alexander, LSU (7.3 in 2025), CB T.J. Tampa, Iowa State (7.4 in 2024), CB Kamari Lassiter, Georgia (7.4 in 2024)

OVERALL RANK: 87

POSITION RANK: CB13

PRO COMPARISON: Riq Woolen

Measurables and Testing Data

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Height: 6'2"
Weight: 203
Hand Size: 9 ½"
Arm Length: 32 ¾"
Wingspan: N/A

40-yard dash: 4.49
10-yard split: 1.59
Vertical: 40"
Broad: 11'2"
3 cone: 7.13
Shuttle: 4.2
Bench: 16