Seattle Seahawks 3rd-round pick found destiny through NFL Draft hat drama
The NFL Draft delivers a weekend full of unforgettable moments for players who have worked their entire lives for this opportunity. Some hear their names called, while others begin their careers as undrafted free agents. Through the first two days of the draft, one selection, in particular, felt like destiny in the making.
The Seattle Seahawks selected Arkansas standout cornerback Julian Neal in the third round. However, Neal’s draft experience didn’t begin smoothly. He ordered hats in anticipation of the big moment, but they never arrived, forcing him to wait until late in the third round without one.
MORE: Las Vegas Raiders finally end Jermod McCoy’s NFL Draft nightmare Without a hat to celebrate, Neal asked his aunt to pick up one specific team cap: a Seahawks hat. That choice turned out to be prophetic. Memphis’ Marcello Bussey (6) has the ball pulled out of his hands by Arkansas’ Julian Neal (23) during the game between Memphis and Arkansas at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn.
, on September 20, 2025. Neal later shared the story on social media , and it quickly spread, with several NFL insiders highlighting the moment. Jordan Schultz even described it as something Hollywood couldn’t script.
“It was the only hat I bought! ” Neal said in his post. Now, Neal joins the defending Super Bowl champions and strengthens an already talented secondary.