Curtis Neal discusses Florida State offer

Curtis Neal is a 6’1 305 pound defensive tackle from Cornelius, NC.

The Class of 2022 prospect attends William Amos Hough High School and has a 90 rating (4*) from 247 Sports. They consider him the 203rd best player in his class (12th best DT and 8th best player in North Carolina).

Neal already holds offers from Alabama, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Miami (FL), Mississippi State, NC State, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, UCF, USC, Virginia, and Wisconsin, among others.

He received an offer from Florida State in late March:

TN caught up with Neal recently to learn more about his recruitment:

We have to start with this social media post which now has more than 6,000 retweets and 50,000 likes—what was the genesis and describe the reaction:

“I was getting asked all that week about my top 5 because the whole week I was like ‘I got a top 5 coming up soon,’ and I posted it on Snapchat and Instagram. I had no idea [that] it’d blow up like this. My phone was going off [non-stop] for a week! Phone interviews, a bunch of follows and DMs—it was cool experience.”

How’d you receive the Florida State offer?

“I spoke on the phone with the DL coach (Odell Haggins), and he told me how much he liked my film, and he offered me.”

What’d the offer mean to you?

“A lot!! I didn’t think FSU had interest in me. I see [they’re] rebuilding, and that could be a place I see myself.”

What do you know about FSU?

“Not a lot!”

Do you have plans to visit Florida State?

“Yes, sir! I’m [going to] schedule a visit after this corona stuff [dies] down.”

Did you grow up a fan of any school?

“Not really—I didn’t pay attention to sports growing up, but I’ll say Oregon because of [their] colors.”

Is there an offer you haven’t gotten yet that would be a game-changer?

“Nah—I’m grateful for all my offers, and all of them are equal.”

How would you describe your game?

“I’m a very aggressive player! I get off the ball [quickly], always using my hands, attacking the shoulder, and doing my job.”

What player(s) do you look up to/model your game after?

“I look up to Aaron Donald because he’s the best DT in the NFL, and his play reminds me of myself—I get compared to him a bunch because of our size and moves.”

What are the biggest things you’re looking for in a school?

“A brotherhood!! I want to feel like I’m at home, I want the school to have my major which is criminology, and a great coaching staff that’s going to give me the best opportunity to succeed and develop as a man.”

When do you hope to have the whole process wrapped up?

“I hope to be committed by the end of my junior season.”