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Wisconsin Football: Curtis Neal’s commitment solidifies DL future depth

By Christian Borman

Bucky Badger does 65 pushups in front of the crowd during the University of Wisconsin 68-17 football game win over Bowling Green at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, Saturday, September 20, 2014. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel photo by Rick Wood/RWOOD@JOURNALSENTINEL.COMUgrid21 38ofx Spt Wood
Bucky Badger does 65 pushups in front of the crowd during the University of Wisconsin 68-17 football game win over Bowling Green at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, Saturday, September 20, 2014. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel photo by Rick Wood/RWOOD@JOURNALSENTINEL.COMUgrid21 38ofx Spt Wood /
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The Wisconsin football team has been actively recruiting defensive linemen in the 2022 cycle. One of their top targets, Curtis Neal, committed to the Badgers today over Ohio St.

Neal had visits with both Wisconsin and Ohio St. and still has another visit set up with South Carolina in September. He was going to announce his commitment on Sunday but decided to announce earlier after his videographer for his announcement bailed on him.

He decided to announce today and decided he was going to come to Madison and play for the Wisconsin football team.

According to 247Sports, Neal is a 3-star defensive tackle. He is 6-1 and 290 pounds but is a violent playmaker on the inside. With Neal’s commitment, the Badgers are now 49th in 247Sports’ recruiting rankings, and I only expect it to go up from there.

Neal’s commitment is a big deal for the Wisconsin football team. On the roster, they currently have two listed nose tackles: Bryson Williams (Sr.) and Keeanu Benton (Jr.). Williams will graduate after this season and Benton could very well leave the program early and enter the NFL Draft after this season.

They have players like Rodas Johnson and Gio Paez who could take the NT position, but they are currently listed as defensive ends on the roster. Hypothetically, if they stay at the defensive end position, there will be a wide-open position for Neal to get into and get some playing time right away.

I doubt Jim Leonhard and Paul Chryst would depend on true freshmen to fill that role immediately. They will likely have some players move around on the line to compete for the spot, but I think Neal has a shot to earn the job in his first year.

Neal is known for being able to rush the passer from the interior of the line. He also has a high motor and doesn’t give up on plays, which is part of the reason he fits at Wisconsin so well. He has that blue-collar mentality that the Wisconsin football team loves to have in their program.

I’d get used to hearing Neal’s name, because I think it’s going to come up early and often during his time in Madison.