#56 Kerry Neal 2009-10 Football Roster

CAREER: One of only two players remaining from his class (Ian Williams) who has played in every game of Notre Dame career … has started 21 of 37 games he has played and totaled 70 tackles, including nine and a half tackles for loss, five and a half sacks, two fumble recoveries, one interception and four pass breakups … enters fall competing for starting spot at outside linebacker after playing primarily as defensive end in 2009 in Notre Dame[apos]s 4-3 defensive scheme.

2009 (JUNIOR): Defensive end appeared in all 12 games for Irish during 2009, and started five contests (Nevada, Michigan, Washington, Washington State and Navy) … totaled 25 tackles, three and a half tackles for loss, one and a half sacks and one pass breakup … notched two tackles including one tackle for loss at Purdue … recorded career-high seven tackles against Washington … also registered two tackles for loss and one sack against Huskies … matched career high with seven more stops against Navy … had six multi-tackle games … represented defensive line along with John Ryan on Irish Leadership Committee … logged 173:17 of playing time and made 19 special-teams appearances.

2008 (SOPHOMORE): Played in all 13 games for the Irish and started in 11 contests (did not start vs. Michigan State or Stanford) … tallied 25 tackles including four tackles for a loss … intercepted a pass and also recorded two sacks … made his sixth career start and recorded three tackles (solo, two assists) in season opener vs. San Diego State … also registered his first career interception against the Aztecs … notched three tackles (solo, two assists), including a half-tackle for a loss vs. Michigan … totaled four tackles (two solos, two assists) and recorded a sack against the Panthers … registered a career-high five tackles (all assists) vs. Syracuse … also tallied a quarterback hurry against the Orange … tallied two tackles (both solo) in Hawai[apos]i Bowl victory … also recorded a sack for a seven-yard loss against the Warriors … logged 248:48 of playing time with 47 special-teams appearances.

2007 (FRESHMAN): Appeared in all 12 games, starting five contests (Purdue, UCLA, Boston College, Duke and Stanford) … totaled 20 tackles including two sacks, two tackles for loss and added two fumble recoveries and three pass break ups … recorded the first tackle of his Notre Dame career against Penn State … recorded his first multi-tackle game against Michigan State, notching two tackles, a sack, and a pass break up … was given his first start of the season against Purdue … started again the following week against UCLA … recovered his first fumble of career against the Bruins … saw meaningful minutes throughout the remainder of the season, recording multi-tackle games against Boston College, USC, Air Force, Duke and Stanford … made 21 special-teams appearances and logged 146:07 of playing time.

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Rated 26th prep player nationally on ESPN 150 listing … listed as 22nd best defensive end nationally by CSTV … first-team North Carolina Class 2A all-state pick as defensive lineman by NCPreps.com … rated among top 10 players in North Carolina and among top 20 weakside defensive ends nationally by Rivals.com … played both defensive end and outside linebacker as senior at Bunn High School in Bunn, N.C. … recorded 132 overall tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, four interceptions and forced 12 fumbles as senior in 2006 … returned two interceptions for touchdowns as senior and also played some tight end on offense … played cornerback as sophomore, then weakside defensive end/outside linebacker/tight end as a junior … had 118 tackles, 15 sacks, 15 passes broken up and two interceptions as junior in [apos]05 . . . caught 16 passes for 323 yards and six TDs as junior in [apos]05 … named conference player of the year on defense as junior in [apos]05 … rated 96th-best overall prospect in East on 2006 preseason basis by The Sporting News SchoolSports … a starter at cornerback as a freshman in 2003 … selected as the first 2006 Carolina Panthers Community Captain, based on his athletics and academic accomplishments as well as his work with special-needs students at Bunn High School and his mentoring of elementary students in the Bunn area … played for North Carolina team in Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas against South Carolina prep stars … forced one fumble that led to a field goal and recovered another in 23-16 North Carolina win in that contest … made nine tackles and a sack to lead East team in MSL Sports[apos] East Meets West all-star game in Orlando, Fla., in January 2007 … played for Bunn coach David Howle … born Aug. 30, 1988 … son of Ruby Doris … enrolled in College of Arts and Letters, majoring in sociology.

Neal[apos]s Career Statistics