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Name: Dexter "DJ" Neal
Position: Wide Receiver
Height/Weight: 6'4, 200 pounds
Hometown: Stone Mountain, GA
Rating: 247Sports: Three Star Rivals: Four Star ESPN: Four Star
Neal was the one who started the 2015 class, and despite an opportunity to enter the MLB draft, Neal announced that he would sign with the Gamecocks on NSD. Neal chose the Gamecocks over offers from the Tennessee Volunteers, Auburn Tigers and Clemson Tigers among others. His primary recruiter is listed as Lorenzo Ward, with Spurrier J.R acting as a secondary recruiter.
Strengths:
I love that USC has started to go after more of these bigger wider receivers, and Neal shows the potential to be a good one. One of the things he does well is that he has the ability thanks to his size to out muscle opposing defenders or simply jump over them to make a play. He also displays good vision and is able to look the ball into his hands, even in very tight situations. One aspect of his game that can't be overstated is the fact that he will actually go and block for his teammates. Neal is a team player and doesn't mind helping out. Other than that he also displays a set of soft hands that when paired with his vision, means that he can catch most balls thrown his way.
Weaknesses:
The biggest problem that I see with Neal is that he is definitely not that quick. He is usually one step ahead of the defender, but in the SEC, he will have more trouble relying on his physicality to make a play and will need to get faster.
Overall:
Neal definitely has the tools to become the next in a great line of USC wide receivers, and with the Gamecocks losing so many of receivers from last year, there is definitely the opportunity for him to maybe make an impression on the coaches and get on the field. However, considering that the staff redshirted Terry Googer, it is likely that Neal will redshirt, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least if he was able to make an immediate impact.