MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin defensive lineman Curt Neal spent two years in the program working his way into a starting role after recovering from a high school ACL tear. He finally earned his big opportunity on Jan. 1 in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Neal held onto that starting spot throughout this season and was positioned to be a key cog up front for two more seasons with the Badgers.
But Neal instead walked away from it by announcing his intention to enter the transfer portal on Tuesday. Neal appeared in 29 games and made 12 starts during his career. He finished the season with 30 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and one sack.
Neal becomes the second defensive starter to declare he’ll enter the transfer portal, joining outside linebacker Leon Lowery. Neal spoke to The Athletic on Tuesday after his transfer announcement about why he is moving on and about his three seasons at Wisconsin.
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Why did you decide to enter the portal?
I just felt like our scheme didn’t really fit me well. A lot of the techniques we were coaching weren’t for us to really be aggressive. I think we were just taking blocks and having the linebackers make the plays.
Honestly, I feel like that’s cool sometimes. But in the long haul, am I ever going to get to where I need to go being like a sacrificial lamb for the defense all the time? I just needed to be in a place and find a scheme for me that I know will benefit me and I can be the aggressive defensive tackle I know I can be.
You were here through a coaching change and multiple position coaches. Was this scheme significantly different from what you were asked to do before?
I felt like our coach this year (E.J. Whitlow) really taught a lot of techniques basically like it was just fit-ball. Just stay in the gap but are you ever going to get to the play and be effective and just cause havoc?
I’m a guy that I like to get off the ball, jump the snap count. We were getting taught we can’t move until the offensive lineman moves. I’ve never heard of a D-lineman playing that way. You see the ball out of the peripheral of your vision and you get off the ball and go attack. I felt like we were taught a lot of mirror-stepping and catching. I’m 6-foot, 6-foot-1, 290. I’m not 6-5, 300 pounds. I don’t need to be catching blocks and sitting there. I need to be disruptive, getting vertical and causing havoc, which I know I can do.
This team really struggled to stop the run defensively. It’s something the program did so well for years. Why didn’t this defense effectively stop the run?
If you guys watch football and you guys see, a lot of stuff wasn’t really on the players.
Are you saying you put that on defensive coordinator Mike Tressel?
I’m not putting it on anyone. I’m just saying there was a lot of stuff that was out of our control. That’s all I have to say about that.
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How much do you put on the players since you’re the ones on the field? Or are you saying you weren’t put in the best position to succeed?
I would say that. And I’ve stressed that for the last three or four weeks.
When did you start thinking about this decision?
I had a talk with my coach (Whitlow) after the season and we sat down. I just thought this was the best decision for me. I just couldn’t see myself being the productive defensive lineman I like to be.
I still had a decent year: 30 tackles, three-and-a-half TFLs and a sack. It’s decent. But that’s not nearly enough production for me that I wanted to have, especially trying to get to the NFL and get to the place where I want to go.
Were you told there might be changes coming to the defense that would convince you to stay?
I heard they were changing the front, but I didn’t really get too much into that. I was already planning on leaving. Whatever they do from here on out is not really my concern.
Did you talk to any other coaches?
I just talked to my D-line coach.
What was his message to you?
Just good luck and if I need anything, he’ll always be there.
What do you think of the direction the program is headed under Luke Fickell?
I don’t know. I hope and pray as a former Wisconsin player, I really hope this program eventually takes off. I really can’t put my finger on it, what’s really holding us back because we work hard. Everyone works hard, but I feel like we go above and beyond and I feel like the results never show. We’ve made history as a team that just didn’t make a bowl game in 23 years, which is never good.
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Do you think players were on board with Fickell’s message?
I can only speak for myself. I thought guys were bought in and I was bought in as well. But when there are no results, what could you buy into?
What are you looking for in your next school?
Hopefully a 4-3 scheme, an attack front that I can go be myself. I can get off the ball, get vertical and go make plays. That’s what I’m really looking for. I’m willing to compete for a starting role. I just need to be in a scheme that I know is going to fit me for the next two years.
Was it hard to give up a starting spot and leave?
Yeah, because I feel like I was in a good position. But I felt like if I stayed here, I would never get to where I need to go here.
How will you remember your time at Wisconsin?
It was honestly amazing. I love Badger Nation. I love all the heartfelt messages I got. I appreciate Badger Nation definitely just for welcoming me with open arms. I appreciate the staff and the players. I will forever have great memories with the players and staff, especially being under the wings of Keeanu (Benton) and Nick Herbig. Those are special players that you just will never forget.
(Photo of defensive line coach E.J. Whitlow and Curt Neal: Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA Today)
