Through three games, Penn State’s defense has produced plenty of eye-catching performances. The defensive front has generated pressure. Several young defensive backs have been thrown into meaningful roles.
But one of the more quietly impressive starts belongs to senior safety Marcus Neal Jr.
Neal enters Big Ten play with eight tackles, a fumble recovery and two forced fumbles through Penn State’s first three games. Those traditional numbers only tell part of the story.
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Neal has played 94 defensive snaps, including 57 in coverage and 36 against the run.
His 84.6 overall run defense grade ranks second among Penn State defenders, trailing only Rojas.
More importantly for a safety, Neal has been remarkably dependable both at the line of scrimmage and in coverage.
PFF credits him with a 75.0 tackling grade and only one missed tackle on 12 tackling opportunities. While opposing quarterback are five out of five completing the ball against Neal in coverage, the damage has been small as they have produced only 42 yards (8.4 yards per completion allowed), with Neal limiting the dangerous yards after the catch.
Neal believes the defense is beginning to find its footing.
“I’m feeling very comfortable in this defense,” Neal said. “You know, D-Lynn [D’Anton Lynn] does a great job of just coaching us up on everything, and even our position coaches. So, I feel very comfortable in this defense, and we’ve only got room to keep growing.”
That comfort has shown on the field.
His two forced fumbles are particularly noteworthy. Penn State has forced four fumbles as a team through three games, meaning Neal has accounted for half of them.
That is the type of production that can turn an otherwise routine defensive play into a possession-changing moment.
Still, Neal isn’t portraying Penn State’s early defensive success as a finished product.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.“Just the way everybody is playing, flying around and everybody’s energy there,” Neal said when asked what he liked through three games. “We could fix the little things, but everybody needs to be playing to our standards. So, I really like that, and you know, you’ve just got to keep doing better every week.”
That next step takes on added significance as conference play begins.
It also brings a personal storyline for Neal.
Penn State’s matchup with Wisconsin will put him across the field potentially with former Iowa State teammate in running back Abu Sama III, who is hoping to play Saturday after missing last week with an undisclosed shoulder injury. The two developed a close relationship during their time together in Ames before their respective paths eventually brought them to different Big Ten programs.
Neal isn’t hiding what that reunion means to him.
“It’s going to be fun for sure,” Neal said. “You know, that’s my friend. He’s my brother for life. We built a close relationship while we were at Iowa State, and he’s a great player.”
Once the game starts, however, friendship takes a backseat.
“We’re going to have to all go out there and give it our all,” Neal said.
That statement fits Neal’s first three games at Penn State.
He hasn’t needed interceptions, sacks or highlight-reel plays to establish himself. Instead, Neal has been productive, assignment-sound and physical while becoming an important piece of Lynn’s defense, something that compliments a recent safety tradition of KJ Winston, Zakee Wheatley, Ji’Ayir Brown, and Jaquan Brisker who all excelled at the position.
Penn State will learn much more about itself as the competition intensifies in Big Ten play.
For Neal, the early returns suggest the Nittany Lions have found something they desperately need on the back end: a veteran safety they can trust.
