CB Julian Neal confident, Devon Witherspoon-style, as Seahawks’ 3rd-round pick
The self-proclaimed in-your-face press cornerback from Arkansas and former safety at Fresno State arrives after Riq Woolen leaves.
The backfills of Seahawks departures on their top-ranked, Super Bowl-champion secondary continues. Seattle used its third-round selection in the 2026 NFL draft on Julian Neal, a tall, strong cornerback from Arkansas at 99th-overall pick, the next-to-last one of the third round. Neal is 6 feet 1 5/8 inches tall and 203 pounds.
He played three seasons at Fresno State before going to the Southeastern Conference for the 2025 season. He’s known for his physical, press coverage at the line of scrimmage — a prerequisite in Macdonald’s Seahawks defense. “I’m the most physical corner in this draft class,” Neal declared Friday night after he got drafted, from his family home in San Francisco.
“I use my arms to my advantage. I use my length. I use my durability -- never gotten hurt.
I never missed a game in college from being hurt. “I hit guys at the line. It’s box time!