Syracuse head coach Fran Brown. Syracuse Orange Spring Football Game 2025 played at the JMA Wireless Dome April 12, 2025. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.comdennis nett | dnett@syracuse.com
Syracuse, N.Y. — Stanford cornerback Julian Neal, who is currently ranked as the second-best player looking to transfer by 247 Sports, will visit Syracuse this month, according to a report by 247 Sports’ Chris Hummer.
The report of the visit cited Neal’s father.
Neal played his first four seasons of college football, including a redshirt year, at Fresno State before transferring to Stanford this offseason.
He was recently given his release from the Cardinal following the firing of head coach Troy Taylor. He is believed to have one year of eligibility remaining.
Neal made 35 tackles and had two interceptions and six pass breakups for Fresno State last year, the first season in which he saw substantial playing time.
Neal is ranked by 247 Sports as the second-best player currently in the transfer portal behind Tennessee quarterback Nico Imaleeva.
A San Francisco native, Neal ranked as the No. 69 player in the portal over the winter, when the majority of transfer movement takes place.
On3.com ranked him substantially lower, pegging Neal as the No. 363 player available in the transfer portal over the winter and the No. 44 cornerback.
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Neal ranked sixth among Fresno State’s defensive players last year with a PFF grade of 70.3.
A number of prominent programs have reportedly expressed interest, a collection that includes Southern California, Florida State and Missouri.
Neal would add some experience to a remarkably young group of Syracuse defensive backs. True freshman Demetres Samuel Jr. and true sophomore Davien Kerr started for the Orange during the team’s spring game.
While talented, Syracuse’s collection of corners showed their youth during the contest, committing four pass interference penalties and surrendering some contested catches.
Kevin Coyle, a former Syracuse defensive coordinator who recently joined the Orange as a defensive analyst, was the defensive coordinator at Fresno State last year.
Brown had targeted Coyle to join his initial staff, going as far as to say he’d be a member during his opening press conference. Coyle joined the Orange program this offseason.
Neal’s reported visit provides an indication the Orange will look to upgrade the position before the team heads into its fall training camp.
Contact Chris Carlson anytime: Email ’ Twitter ’ 315-382-7932
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