Julian Neal, a cornerback who played at Stanford and Fresno State, has now committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks. The news gained attention when Neal’s father, Emmett J. Neal Sr., publicly thanked college basketball coach John Calipari for helping with the decision, calling it a “DONE-DEAL” for the “NEAL-DEAL.”
Julian Neal had a strong junior season at Fresno State in 2024, with 35 tackles (22 solo), five pass breakups, two interceptions, and one sack. He committed to Arkansas on April 19, 2025, joining their defense for the upcoming SEC season.
Julian Neal Reacts to Father’s Message With High Hopes for 2025
After his father’s social media post about Calipari, Julian Neal also posted on Twitter to thank the basketball coach:
“Shout out to coach Cal. Woooooooo pigggggg.”
Shout out to coach Cal. Woooooooo pigggggg https://t.co/tQPmOFniLi
— Julian Neal (@J12_neal) April 20, 2025
This shows how a basketball coach helped a football player decide to join Arkansas. In this case, Calipari’s influence reached beyond basketball.
Julian’s father wrote on social media about how important Calipari’s visit was:
“I knew when Legendary Coach, John Calipari slid through, I knew it was a ‘DONE-DEAL’ for the ‘NEAL-DEAL!!'”
A Strategic Addition to Arkansas’ Defensive Roster
Julian Neal joins Arkansas at an important time as they build their defense for SEC games. His experience at two different schools will help the Razorbacks.
His journey from Stanford to Fresno State and now to Arkansas shows his growth as a player. His strong performance in 2024 proves he can help in many ways on defense.
For Arkansas, adding Julian shows they want players who can make an immediate impact. His skills will be valuable as they face tough SEC opponents.
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What makes this story special is how Calipari, a basketball coach, helped convince Neal to join the football team. This shows how respected coaches can influence decisions across different sports.
As Julian prepares to play for Arkansas in the 2025-2026 season, many expect him to bring his playmaking skills to the team. With support from his family and Calipari’s backing, the CB starts his time at Arkansas with strong support.
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