Seahawks rookie Julian Neal says he’s ‘the most physical corner’ in 2026 NFL Draft

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - OCTOBER 18: Julian Neal #23 of the Arkansas Razorbacks tips a pass in the end zone in the second half that was thrown to KC Concepcion #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Aggies defeated the Razorbacks 45-42. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Seattle Seahawks have loved physical cornerback play throughout John Schneider’s tenure at general manager, and they’ve brought another one on board through their third-rounder in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Julian Neal started his college career at Fresno State before transferring to Arkansas, where he emerged as one of the top cornerbacks in the SEC. The Seahawks were able to land him at No. 99, but it looks like it was inevitable that Seattle was going to be his destination ever since the NFL Scouting Combine.

“It wasn’t a surprise at all,” Neal said. “After that meeting at the Combine, the assistant head coach [Leslie Frazier] told me, ‘You’re most likely going to be picked by the Seahawks, Julian Neal.’ He told me that to my face. And I believed in him and they believed in me. We’re going back-to-back this year.”

You gotta love the immediate declaration by Neal that the Seahawks will repeat as Super Bowl champions.

At just over 6’1” and 203 lbs, Neal provides some size to a cornerback room that just lost Riq Woolen to free agency. When asked to describe the type of player he is, you can understand why the Seahawks took him.