BIOGRAPHY
Keanu Neal was born on July 26, 1995, in Webster, Florida. He is a safety in the NFL.
Neal played college football at the University of Florida. He attended South Sumter High School in Bushnell; as a senior, he had 70 tackles and had four interceptions and was as a junior had 151 tackles, four interceptions, and All-State selection. He played college football for the Gators at the University of Florida; in 2013 he played in all 12 games as a true freshman and was a key member on special teams who tied for the team lead with five special teams tackles; he also saw time as a backup at safety. In 2014 he played in 10 games, starting eight times at safety; he totaled 45 tackles on the season and ranked second with three interceptions. He was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll. In 2015 he Played in 12 games and started 11 times at safety; he finished third on the team with 96 total tackles, including a team-high 51 solo tackles. He had 3.5 tackles-for-loss and 2.0 sacks on the year.
After the season, he entered the 2016 NFL Draft; The Atlanta Falcons selected Neal in the first round (17th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. On May 4, 2016, the Atlanta Falcons signed Neal to a fully guaranteed four-year contract. He started all 14 games in which he played. His 105 total tackles (72 solo) ranked second to fellow rookie Deion Jones for the team lead. He ranked second to Jones in tackles among all rookies. Also added two tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery and seven passes defensed. In 2017 he recorded 113 tackles (81 solo) with three forced fumbles, four tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, one interception, and five passes defensed. He was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2017 and collared 13 tackles (11 solo) with one pass defense, one fumble recovery, and one tackle for loss in two postseason games. He recorded his first career interception in a Week 17 win over the Carolina Panthers, picking off QB Cam Newton. He missed the 2018 season after tearing his ACL during opening game at Philadelphia Eagles.
In 2021, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys. Neal joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023.
