The BSD staff recently voted for the top 10 Penn State players heading into 2026. The votes are dictated by how the players are expected to perform in the upcoming season, without factoring in long-term or NFL potential. Each member submitted a ballot with players ranked 1-10, with a first-place vote being 10 points, a second place vote worth nine points, and so on. Up next is safety Marcus Neal Jr.
How He Got Here
Neal committed to Iowa State as a member of the 2024 recruiting class. As a recruit, he was a three-star and the No. 110 overall safety in the class when he committed. In two seasons at Iowa State, he quickly developed into an all-conference caliber safety and earned third team All-Big 12 honors in 2025. He had 77 tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble, and one sack in 2025. Shortly after Matt Campbell took the head coaching job at Penn State, Neal decided to follow Campbell to Happy Valley.
What to Expect in 2026
If Neal’s season pans out as many expect, this could be his only season at Penn State before declaring for the NFL Draft. He is a lock to make the starting lineup and figures to be one of the top safeties in the Big Ten. Neal is strong against the run and a good tackler, which Penn State will need against some of the more run-heavy offenses on the schedule. His pass coverage is not quite as developed, but Penn State is strong enough in the secondary that this should not be a major issue. Neal also pulled in two interceptions last year in his first season as a starter.