Get to Know Your Orange Man: #21, RB Moe Neal

Name: Moe Neal

Position: Running back

Year: Junior

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 191

Hometown: Gastonia, N.C.

High School: Forestview

2017 stats: He played in all 12 games, taking 92 carries for 488 yards and a touchdown. He also had a 71 yard rush Central Michigan, a career high. In addition, he caught 12 balls for 170 yards and one score. He basically split time in the backfield (mainly) with Dontae Strickland.

2018 projections: Based on the Spring game, Neal will see the a large share of the time in the backfield, but a scrimmage in April is not a tell-all. With the departure of Steve Ishmael and Ervin Phillips, he should see more time as a receiver (there was a rumored switch last off-season). This could be a breakout year for Neal as a ball-carrier and pass-catcher for the Syracuse Orange.

How’d he get here?: He received offers from UNC, Wake Forest, Boston College, West Virginia, and Tennessee, but he decided Central New York would be his future home. I think it was a smart choice.

What’d recruiting sites say?: Three stars from everyone.

Money quote: Dino Babers is a pretty big fan of what Neal brings to this offense, no matter the capacity.

“The biggest thing with Moe Neal is he’s got such flexibility. He can be a receiver. He can be a running back. He can be an inside receiver, an outside receiver. He’s got a lot of flexibility. What we need to do as a family is make sure we’re developing his weakest areas.”

Twitterfeed: @Captainmoe21_

Tweets of wonder: I’m not sure about this one.

What movie would Dino recommend for him?: Any of the Three Stooges movies, which feature Moe as one of the main characters. Not my type of humor, but it’s definitely a classic for movie lovers.

Interesting nugget o’ interest: He scored a 49-yard touchdown on his first ever collegiate carry. If only it were five fewer yards, THEN it’s fate.

Let’s get a good look at ya: Here he is last year talking about the Orange’s upcoming matchup against Louisville.