McNeal has been on the Prep Redzone Iowa radar for quite some time. He was advanced as a freshman and has just kept climbing through development in a program that’s among the state’s best at doing so. We hadn’t written a McNeal evaluation in the last eight months, so an update was in order. The terror in the trenches helped us out by putting together a junior highlight video from 2025. On it, we witness an explosive presence in the middle of the defensive front. It’s an impressive combination of burst, agility and power. McNeal overwhelms opponents with overall strength, especially notable in his arms and hands. He controls the fight and disengages smoothly. McNeal moves well laterally and in a straight line. Production has been there. He racked up 38.0 tackles as a D-Tackle with 25 solo stops and 14.5 stops for loss. He also had a sack and a half. McNeal should be receiving more attention on the recruiting trail. His skill set also would work at offensive guard.

During an in-person scout of McNeal in the Class 4A state semifinals last November at the UNI-Dome, I saw a prospect packed with potential. It’s the Russell Crowe Gladiator meme when watching McNeal’s sophomore highlight video. We see a big kid getting after it with unusual quickness and athleticism for his size, exactly what you look for in a defensive tackle. McNeal fires off of the snap, overwhelming blockers and getting them on their heels early. He also understands his role in absorbing blocks and playing his assignments. McNeal produced, racking up 31 solo tackles, 9.5 tackles and 4.0 sacks. Most importantly, he passes the eye test.

Kyler McNeal Kyler McNeal 6'1" | 270 lbs | DL Lewis Central | 2027 State IA has two impressive high school seasons that created a lot of excitement for what he can do during his final two campaigns. He got his feet wet with 4.5 tackles for loss and a sack as a freshman. He followed that up with 31.0 solo tackles, 9.5 TFLs and 4.0 sacks in ’24. I caught McNeal in the state semifinals at the UNI-Dome in November. His strength and fundamentals were advanced for a 10th grader. During his sophomore highlight film, he moves people. McNeal also can run down ball carries and brings quickness for his size.

Lewis Central DL Kyler McNeal Kyler McNeal 6'1" | 270 lbs | DL Lewis Central | 2027 State IA has the tools to be a high-level prospect by the time he’s a senior. Kyler has good size at 6’2″ and 275 pounds and is coming out of a program that has been pumping out P4 players for a while. McNeal is a naturally strong player who can generate a great push at the line and has the leg drive to move blockers off their spot with ease. He also uses his hands very well to disengage from blocks. Good first step and motor. Watch for Kyler and the rest of the DL to play a key role in the Titan’s title defense in 2024.