The lone returning tackler that eclipsed the century mark in Class A last season, Byers Nealey is back for Danville after posting 100.5 tackles in 2024.

The 6-foot, 195-pound linebacker and senior posted 46 solo tackles last fall as well, adding five tackles-for-loss (TFLs) to his resume, too. His districts’ defensive MVP, Nealey isn’t the fastest mover on the football field, but he takes good angles to ball-carriers and is a sure-tackler. With his motor, Nealey remains in constant pursuit of the football.

One of the most productive defenders in the conference last season, Byers Nealey did a great job at finding the ball and consistently making plays against the run. Nealey finished with 100.5 tackles, 5 TFLs, and a fumble recovery in 2024 en route to winning district MVP honors. Nealey runs laterally very well, showing clear range as a sideline-to-sideline tackler, while doing a great job at reading the play and attacking at the right angles against different formations, including Wildcat and T-formation units. Nealey proved just as disruptive against the pass, showing great timing in breaking up throws and making hits on the receiver just as the ball gets to their hands. Nealey has the size and power to hold his own as a MLB, and he should be on the radar toward leading Class A in tackles in 2025 after finishing 3rd in total tackles in the whole conference last season.