Penn State Player To Be Excited About In 2026: Marcus Neal Jr.
Neal had a strong breakout season in 2025
FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 08: Iowa State Cyclones defensive back Marcus Neal (31) reacts to a play during the game between TCU and Iowa State on November 8, 2025 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, TX. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images The next player in our series is Marcus Neal Jr.
, who had a breakout season in 2025 as a member of Iowa State’s secondary. Marcus Neal Jr. was a four-star recruit and the No.
33 overall safety in the 2024 class when he originally committed to Iowa State. He played in seven games as a true freshman in 2024, recording 18 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. In 2025, he earned a starting position and recorded 77 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and two interceptions.
He earned third team All-Big 12 honors for his performance in 2025. Zakee Wheatley, Dejuan Lane, and King Mack are all gone, as is former safeties coach Anthony Poindexter. Incoming safeties coach Deon Broomfield will have to turn the page on a position that has become one of Penn State’s most reliable in the last five years.