Aaron Wilson: Purdue DT Lorenzo Neal Jr. following Pro Bowl father’s NFL path

By Aaron Wilson

The family photo album features plenty of shots of Lorenzo Neal Jr.’s childhood spent inside NFL stadiums along with immortal images of his Pro Bowl fullback father’s bone-rattling blocks.

One prize photograph from his youth is particularly meaningful to the Purdue defensive tackle, team captain and NFL draft prospect: a picture of the Houston native with future Hall of Fame quarterback and Boilermakers legend Drew Brees.

It was his father’s job to block for Brees and running back LaDainian Tomlinson when the since-retired New Orleans Saints quarterback was playing for the Chargers.

Neal Jr. wore Brees’ No. 9 jersey number throughout his youth football days and hung out with him at Pro Bowl games along with his father, retired NFL player Lorenzo Neal. Before Brees’ final game for the Saints, he called the younger Neal and arranged for tickets.

“Lorenzo grew up around the game and he had access to a lot of Pro Bowl and Hall of Fame players like Drew Brees,” said Carla Delpit, Neal Jr.’s mother. “It showed him what’s necessary to get to the NFL. I’m proud, but, along with that, comes the nervousness of the unknown and just wanting him to be able to fulfill his dream.”

Overcoming a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered as a junior, Neal Jr. recovered for his fifth-year senior season and auditioned recently for NFL scouts at the Boilermakers’ campus Pro Day workout along with wide receiver Rondale Moore. He’s competing to follow his father’s cleat marks into the NFL.

The legacy of his father, a 5-foot-11, 255-pound bruiser known as one of the most punishing lead blockers in the NFL modern era, lives on in Neal Jr.

“My dad is focused on keeping my mental well being as good as it can be instead of just coaching me up on the game,” said Neal Jr., who’s been training at Ollin Athletics in Houston and is represented by veteran Houston-based NFL agent Kennard McGuire. “I appreciate it. I think being around the game for such an extended period of time, growing up in that world, prepared me for the direction my life is going in. A lot of people don’t have that experience. It’s on me to make the most of that knowledge being around the game for that long.”

Although the Big Ten Conference had a truncated scheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic last year, Neal. Jr. proved that he’s regaining full strength after missing the entire 2019 season. He finished his Purdue career with 73 tackles, 13 for losses and four sacks. He forced four fumbles. In 2018, Neal was an All-Big Ten honorable mention selection.

His father has seen a lot of growth and perseverance.

“Every summer, I would have him working very hard,” Neal said. “I might have pushed him a little hard at times. He would say, ‘Dad, stop’ He found his own path and I couldn’t be prouder. He’s made himself into a very good football player.”

An all-state, all-district, Defensive Most Valuable Player, Neal Jr. had 34 tackles, five sacks and two interceptions as a junior and 33 tackles and four sacks as a senior at St. Thomas when he was named a Blue-Gray All-American bowl selection and was honored by the Touchdown Club of Houston.

“I think it helped me acclimate to college because I learned so much at St. Thomas,” Neal Jr. said. “A lot of people when they get to college, they have trouble with time management. Going to St. Thomas was the best decision for me educationally.”

At 6-foot-3, 325 pounds, Neal Jr. has the requisite size and strength. He could line up as a traditional nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme or line up at defensive tackle in a 4-3.

“He’s been working out really hard and he looks great,” Delpit said. “He’s moving fast. He’s much more flexible.. He’s looking forward to everything.”

Neal Jr., who studied construction management and is considering post-football careers like running a construction firm and pursuing real estate ventures,

Neal Jr. grew up with other future NFL players, including being on the same Little League team as Northwestern first-round offensive line prospect Rashawn Slater. His cousin is Cleveland Browns safety Grant Delpit.

After tearing his ACL in his left knee against Indiana as a junior on Nov. 24, 2018, missing a bowl game against Auburn and the 2019 season before returning for an extra year, Neal Jr. is getting back on track.

“Whomever gets Lorenzo on their team, they’re going to be impressed,” Neal said. “They’re getting a good player and also a good person who really knows and loves football. He’s a tape fanatic who’s on top of his game and has a ton of talent.”

Neal Jr. has had Zooms or telephone calls with the Chargers, Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars, among others. Now, he’s ready for the draft to arrive.

“Honestly, my perspective has been to not even think about it too much,” Neal Jr. said. “I get a lot of stuff done and I know it’s not important to spend too much time on what might happen or might not happen. I take care of what I need to take care of.

“I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs and hills and valleys. That taught me to not look ahead too far and stay focused on the moment. I’m trying not too psyche myself up or be too nervous. I know what I can do and I feel good. It’s about keeping my mind at peace.”

Aaron Wilson has covered the NFL for over two decades. Based in Houston, TX, Wilson is on Twitter: @AaronWilson_NFL and Instagram: aaronwilson7128