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Alim McNeill
Alim McNeill
Alim McNeill
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Alim McNeill (born May 11, 2000) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the NC State Wolfpack, and was selected by the Lions in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

McNeill attended Jesse O. Sanderson High School in Raleigh, North Carolina.[1] He played linebacker and running back in high school. McNeill committed to North Carolina State University to play college football.[2] He also played baseball in high school.

College career

[edit]

McNeill played at NC State from 2018 to 2020. During his career, he had 77 tackles, 10 sacks, one interception and one touchdown. As a junior, he was named an All-American by The Athletic and Pro Football Focus.[3] After that season, he entered the 2021 NFL draft.[4][5][6]

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 1+7⁄8 in
(1.88 m) 		317 lb
(144 kg) 		32+5⁄8 in
(0.83 m) 		9+3⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		 4.96 s 1.68 s 2.90 s 4.65 s 7.68 s 30.5 in
(0.77 m)		 9 ft 0 in
(2.74 m)		 27 reps
All values from Pro Day[7][8][9]

McNeill was drafted 72nd overall by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft.[10] He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 13, 2021.[11]

McNeill entered the 2023 season as the Lions starting defensive tackle. In Week 8, he recorded two sacks, his first career multi-sack game, and a pass deflection in a 26–14 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. He suffered a knee injury in Week 13 and was placed on injured reserve on December 5, 2023.[12] He was activated on January 6, 2024.[13]

On October 15, 2024, McNeill signed a four-year, $97 million contract extension with the Lions.[14] In Week 6's 47–9 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, McNeill recorded two sacks.[15] In Week 15, McNeill tore his ACL in the 48–42 loss to the Buffalo Bills, ending his season. Prior to the injury, McNeill recorded 25 tackles, 3.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, and seven quarterback hits.[16]

After spending the first six weeks of the season on the PUP list, McNeill was activated for his season debut on October 20, 2025.[17]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Alim McNeill

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Alim McNeill is an for the of the (). Born on May 11, 2000, in , he played at , where he earned recognition as a standout interior lineman, and was selected by the Lions in the third round (72nd overall) of the . McNeill grew up in Raleigh and attended Sanderson High School, where he was a multi-sport . Choosing to stay close to home, he committed to NC State, where he developed into a dominant force on the defensive line, recording 25 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 3.0 sacks as a junior in 2020 before declaring for the NFL Draft. In his professional career with the Lions, McNeill progressed from a rotational player in his season to a full-time starter by 2022, contributing to the team's defensive resurgence with his strength and quickness at 6 feet 2 inches and 310 pounds. His breakout performance came amid the Lions' rise as NFC contenders, highlighted by a four-year contract extension signed in October 2024 worth $97 million, including $55 million guaranteed, recognizing his role as a cornerstone of the defensive front. However, McNeill suffered an ACL tear in December 2024, causing him to miss the first six games of the 2025 season; he returned to play in Week 7 in October 2025 and has recorded 4 tackles as of November 2025.

Early life and high school

Early life

Alim McNeill was born on May 11, 2000, in . He grew up in a supportive, two-parent household that emphasized athletics and hard work, alongside an older sister who played travel and a younger brother who participated in football and . His father, a former himself, played a pivotal role in introducing McNeill to the sport and coaching him early on, instilling discipline and competitive drive. In Raleigh's blend of urban and southern community influences, McNeill's childhood revolved around physical activity, with initial exposure to football, , and shaping his interests. He developed a particular fondness for from a young age, starting T-ball at four years old and appreciating its strategic elements. McNeill transitioned into organized youth sports around age seven, joining the North Raleigh Bulldogs Pop Warner football team where he began honing his skills as a multi-position player under his father's guidance. This early structured involvement, combined with family encouragement, laid the foundation for his athletic growth and versatility across sports.

High school career

McNeill attended Jesse O. Sanderson High School in , where he emerged as a standout multi-sport . On the football team, he played both and inside linebacker, contributing significantly to the Spartans' defense and offense during his tenure from 2014 to 2017. Additionally, McNeill participated in as a , starting for three varsity seasons and showcasing his athletic versatility in one of the top programs in the Raleigh-Durham area. He was a three-time all-conference selection in . In football, McNeill's performance was marked by impressive dual-threat statistics, including 18 rushing touchdowns and 18.0 sacks over his high school career. His contributions helped the team advance to the North Carolina 4A state quarterfinals, highlighting his impact on the field as a versatile defender and ball carrier. On August 29, 2025, Sanderson High School honored McNeill with a jersey retirement ceremony for his number 29 during halftime of a varsity football game, marking the first such tribute in the school's history. This event celebrated his foundational role in building the program's legacy and his subsequent success in college and the NFL.

College career

2018–2019 seasons

McNeill, a four-star prospect ranked as the No. 9 at his position in the class of 2018, committed to on November 4, 2017, selecting the Wolfpack over offers from programs including Florida State, , and Penn State. Hailing from Sanderson High School in , where he had played inside linebacker and contributed on both sides of the ball, McNeill enrolled early at NC State in June 2018, allowing him to participate in summer workouts and prepare for the upcoming season. As a true freshman in 2018, he earned Freshman All-American honors. As a true in 2018, McNeill quickly adapted to the college level, appearing in all 13 games for , including one start against Wake Forest, and establishing himself as a rotational defensive lineman in NC State's 3-3-5 scheme. He recorded 24 tackles (14 solo, 10 assisted), 5.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks over the season, showcasing his power and quickness off the line despite the transition from high school versatility to a specialized interior role. His contributions helped anchor the defensive front during NC State's 9-4 campaign, which included a appearance. Entering his year in , McNeill built on his foundational experience, playing in all 12 regular-season games and earning a starting role at for the final six contests, where he solidified his position in the rotation. He tallied 28 tackles (16 solo, 12 assisted), along with 7.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks, demonstrating improved pass-rush effectiveness and run-stopping ability as a key contributor to the Wolfpack's ACC defense. This period marked his gradual development into a more consistent interior presence, though he remained focused on refining techniques amid the physical demands of competition.

2020 season

In 2020, Alim McNeill emerged as a dominant force on NC State's defensive line during a COVID-19-shortened season that featured only 11 regular-season games for . As a junior, he started all 11 contests at , anchoring the interior alongside . McNeill's performance was marked by his ability to disrupt both the run and pass games, often drawing double-teams that opened opportunities for teammates, as evidenced by his league-leading 90.7 overall grade from among Power 5 interior defensive linemen. Statistically, McNeill recorded 25 total tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack, while also securing his lone career —a pick-six against Wake Forest that he returned 18 yards for a . His contributions extended beyond raw numbers; he earned a 92.1 run-stopping grade from PFF, the highest in the NCAA, underscoring his emergence as an elite nose tackle with quick hands and violent bull-rush ability. Building briefly on his development from the prior two seasons, where he adjusted to college football's speed and added roughly 50 pounds to his frame, McNeill's breakout solidified his status as one of the ACC's top defenders. McNeill's standout year garnered significant accolades, including first-team All-ACC honors from the conference coaches. He was also named a first-team All-American by and , recognizing his disruptive presence despite modest sack totals, and earned second-team All-America distinction. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 317 pounds, McNeill's compact build, explosive first step, and improved pass-rush technique made him a nightmare for offensive lines, with scouts noting his rare blend of power and agility for an interior lineman. Following the regular season, McNeill opted out of NC State's appearance against and declared for the on December 5, 2020, forgoing his senior year to pursue a professional career. His decision came after a junior campaign that showcased his readiness for the next level, highlighted by his consistent double-team absorption and game-altering plays.

Professional career

2021 NFL Draft

McNeill entered the as a highly regarded interior defensive lineman from North Carolina State, bolstered by his second-team All-American honors in 2020. He was invited to the in , where prospects underwent medical evaluations and interviews, but on-field workouts were canceled due to protocols, shifting athletic testing to individual pro days. At NC State's pro day on March 24, 2021, McNeill measured 6 feet 1 inch tall and 317 pounds, recording a time of 4.94 seconds, a 30.5-inch , and 27 repetitions, metrics that highlighted his power and quickness for a nose tackle prospect. Scouting reports praised McNeill's elite play strength and run-stopping ability, noting his capacity to anchor against double teams and disrupt plays in the backfield, though evaluators identified areas for growth in pass-rush technique and lateral agility. Analysts from and him as a mid-round pick with starter potential, emphasizing his fit as a 0- or 1-technique defender who could immediately bolster a team's interior line. The selected McNeill in the third round, 72nd overall, on April 30, 2021, viewing him as a foundational piece to rebuild their defensive front alongside free-agent signing . On May 13, 2021, McNeill signed his rookie contract, a four-year deal worth $5,129,186, including a $1,090,312 . During the Lions' 2021 training camp, he quickly adapted to Glenn's aggressive 4-3 base scheme, earning first-team reps at nose tackle from Day 1 and impressing coaches with his unexpected athleticism and hand usage in pass-rush drills. Media observations noted his ability to bull-rush blockers and shed blocks effectively, positioning him as a rotational player with upside to compete for significant snaps early in his career. draft analysts projected McNeill as capable of an "immediate impact" on Detroit's run defense, aligning well with the team's emphasis on under head coach .

2021–2022 seasons

McNeill was selected by the in the third round (72nd overall) of the and signed a four-year worth $5,129,186 on May 13, 2021. As a , he quickly adapted to the Lions' 4-3 defensive scheme under new , primarily playing as a nose tackle in a rebuilding defense focused on two-gapping to control the . McNeill appeared in all 17 games, starting six, and recorded 39 total tackles (15 solo, 24 assisted), 2.0 sacks, and 11 tackles for loss, contributing significantly to the run defense with an 18-stop performance on 422 snaps. His efforts earned him a spot on the All-Rookie Team and the Pro Football Writers of America's All-Rookie honors, highlighted by the second-highest run-defense grade (87.2) among interior defenders with at least 100 snaps. In 2022, McNeill transitioned to a full-time starting role at , logging all 17 starts and increasing his snap participation to 68.8% of defensive plays, a marked rise from his rookie year. He tallied 41 total tackles (17 solo, 24 assisted), 1.0 sack, six tackles for loss, and seven quarterback hits, bolstering the Lions' improving front seven during a 9-8 season that ended with a playoff appearance—the team's first since 2016. McNeill's consistent presence helped anchor the run defense, allowing the Lions to rank 14th in rushing yards allowed per game (113.5), a improvement from 27th the prior year, as part of a young unit emphasizing physicality and gap control in the 4-3 alignment. Without major injuries hindering his availability, McNeill played every game in both seasons, establishing himself as a foundational piece in Detroit's defensive rebuild.

2023–2024 seasons

In the 2023 season, McNeill emerged as a cornerstone of the ' defensive line, starting all 13 games he played and recording 32 combined tackles (17 solo) along with a career-high sacks. His breakout performance came in Week 8 against the Las Vegas Raiders, where he notched two sacks—his first multi-sack game—contributing to a defense that generated six sacks overall in the 20-17 victory. McNeill became the first Lions interior defensive lineman to reach sacks in a season since in 2014, underscoring his growing impact as a pass rusher. However, McNeill's season was interrupted by a sprain suffered in Week 13 against the on December 3, 2023, leading to his placement on injured reserve on December 5. The injury sidelined him for the final four regular-season games, but his recovery progressed quickly; he resumed practicing in early January 2024 and was activated from injured reserve on January 6, allowing him to return for the . In the postseason, McNeill appeared in all three games, starting each and adding 4 combined tackles and 1.0 sack, helping anchor a Lions defense that advanced to the . Entering 2024 as a , McNeill signed a four-year extension with the Lions on worth $97 million, including $55 million guaranteed, securing his role through the 2028 season and reflecting his value to the team's defensive front. He started all 14 games he played that year, tallying 25 combined tackles (17 solo) and 3.5 sacks before suffering a season-ending torn ACL in his right knee during Week 15 against the on December 15. A highlight was his two-sack effort in Week 6 versus the , where he recorded four tackles and three hits in a dominant 47-9 win, pressuring the interior line effectively. The ACL injury required surgery shortly after, with a typical recovery timeline of nine to twelve months, positioning McNeill for a potential return in the 2025 offseason following intensive rehabilitation. McNeill missed the remainder of the 2024 regular season and playoffs due to the tear, but his contributions earlier in the year—generating 45 total quarterback pressures—bolstered a Lions defense that ranked among the league's best in sacks and supported the team's second consecutive playoff appearance. Over these two seasons, McNeill's disruptive presence from the interior helped transform Detroit's run defense and pass rush, enabling the unit to finish top-10 in points allowed both years and facilitating deep postseason runs.

2025 season

McNeill began the 2025 NFL season on the ' (PUP) list, sidelined for the first six weeks while continuing his recovery from a torn ACL suffered in December 2024. The Lions activated McNeill from the PUP list on October 20, 2025, allowing him to make his season debut that evening against the in Week 7. In his first three appearances of the season, McNeill has recorded 2 solo tackles and 0 sacks while starting all games and logging 95 defensive snaps, including a pass defended in his debut. McNeill has gradually integrated back into the Lions' defensive rotation alongside DJ Reader and , contributing to a unit that ranks among the league's top defenses in a competitive season where holds a 6-4 record and third place in the as of November 19, 2025. Throughout his return, McNeill has reported positive progress in his rehabilitation, emphasizing a focus on regaining explosive power and adjusting to game speed after 10 months of recovery, with no reported setbacks allowing him to play up to 82% of defensive snaps by Week 9.

References

  1. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4361662/alim-mcneill
  2. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/bio/_/id/4361662/alim-mcneill
  3. https://www.nfl.com/players/alim-mcneill/
  4. https://www.nfl.com/prospects/alim-mcneill/32004d43-4e61-1247-5b50-75dcdd3e2757
  5. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/alim-mcneill-1.html
  6. https://www.nfl.com/news/lions-dt-alim-mcneil-agree-to-terms-on-four-year-97m-extension
  7. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46467560/detroit-lions-nfl-dt-alim-mcneill-back-practicing-december-acl-injury
  8. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McNeAl00.htm
  9. https://www.lines.com/nfl/players/alim-mcneill-22906
  10. https://www.golongtd.com/p/man-in-the-mirror-alim-mcneill-explains
  11. https://mabumbe.com/people/alim-mcneill-biography-age-net-worth-career-family/
  12. https://www.247liveculture.com/sports/athlete-spotlight-nfl-prospect-alim-mcneill
  13. https://gopack.com/sports/football/roster/alim-mcneill/9301
  14. https://www.detroitlions.com/team/players-roster/alim-mcneill/
  15. https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2021/05/15/detroit-lions-alim-mcneill-baseball-2021-nfl-draft/5075117001/
  16. https://abc11.com/post/alim-mcneill-sanderson-high-school-retires-former-nc-state-stars-jersey/17688941/
  17. https://www.highschoolot.com/story/sanderson-to-retire-the-jersey-of-alim-mcneill-on-friday/22131172/
  18. https://gopack.com/documents/download/2019/3/4/NC_State_2019_Spring_Prospectus.pdf
  19. https://cfbstats.com/2019/player/490/1096096/index.html
  20. https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-2020-pffs-all-american-team
  21. https://theacc.com/news/2020/12/21/athlete-awards-tigers-irish-lead-all-acc-football-team.aspx
  22. https://247sports.com/article/alim-mcneill-named-2020-pro-football-focus-all-american-157528344/
  23. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2279781/2020/12/23/all-america-college-football/
  24. https://gopack.com/news/2020/12/28/football-mcneill-named-to-ap-all-america-second-team
  25. https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/nc-state/article247577545.html
  26. https://walterfootball.com/proday.php
  27. https://www.si.com/nfl/draft-news/news/2021-nfl-pro-day-live-blog-tracker
  28. https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-pff-top-interior-defensive-linemen
  29. https://www.nfl.com/videos/2021-nfl-draft-scouting-report-alim-mcneill
  30. https://overthecap.com/player/alim-mcneill/9536
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  32. https://www.detroitlions.com/news/twentyman-10-takeaways-from-2021-lions-training-camp-hockenson-sewell-okudah
  33. https://www.mlive.com/lions/2021/08/detroit-lions-werent-expecting-rookie-dl-alim-mcneill-to-be-so-athletic-on-day-1.html
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  35. https://www.mlive.com/lions/2022/01/detroit-lions-2021-review-alim-mcneill-shows-promise-inside-edge-charles-harris-makes-himself-some-money.html
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  39. https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/01/detroit-lions-2022-review-defensive-line-shows-promise-through-many-bumps.html
  40. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/2022.htm
  41. https://www.detroitlions.com/news/tim-and-mike-week-8-observations-gibbs-mcneill-laporta
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  44. https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2023/12/05/detroit-lions-alim-mcneill-knee-injured-reserve-knee-four-games-out/71816550007/
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  47. https://www.detroitlions.com/news/notebook-mcneill-100-percent-locked-in-right-now-and-ready-to-go
  48. https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/alim-mcneill/76996
  49. https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lions-news/146148/detroit-lions-activate-alim-mcneill-add-3-dbs-for-buccaneers-game
  50. https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2025/10/20/detroit-lions-alim-mcneill-set-to-play-vs-tampa-bay-buccaneers/86806348007/
  51. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/4361662/alim-mcneill
  52. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/2025.htm
  53. https://sports.yahoo.com/article/detroit-lions-week-9-snap-150000283.html
  54. https://sports.yahoo.com/video/lions-pass-rusher-alim-mcneill-194039190.html
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