Get to Know Penn State Safety Marcus Neal Jr.

Penn State added a “shark” to its secondary this offseason with the addition of Iowa State transfer safety Marcus Neal Jr., who spoke to the media on Wednesday afternoon for the first time since arriving in Happy Valley.

Neal picked up the nickname from his play style, and he confirmed he’ll bring his iconic shark celebration to his new team. He was viewed as one of the top safeties in the portal, but following head coach Matt Campbell to Penn State became an obvious decision after he took a visit with his parents.

“I know the guy he is, the type of coach he is. Why wouldn’t I want to play for him?” Neal said. “My mom trusts him, family trusts him. He’s a great guy, so it made my decision easier.”

Neal was pursued by other schools and considered Clemson at one point, but he committed to the Nittany Lions on Jan. 4 and hasn’t looked back. The hard-hitting, rangy safety totaled 77 tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a sack last season while starting as a redshirt sophomore.

This year, he’s expected to step into a starting role at Penn State, which lost Zakee Wheatley to the NFL draft and King Mack, Dejuan Lane, Antoine Belgrave-Shorter, Kolin Dinkins and Lamont Payne Jr. to the transfer portal.

“I’m gonna bring physicality, hard work. I’ll give it my all every snap, and just have fun out there, try to entertain you guys,” Neal said.

He models his game after NFL safeties Tyrann Mathieu, Kyle Hamilton, Justin Simmons and Nick Emmanwori, but also Jamal Adams, who switched from safety to linebacker. Their play styles show up in his physicality on the field, using a 6-foot-1, 215 pound frame to deliver violent hits.

“My favorite thing that he does is come down and smack the crap out of people,” linebacker Cael Brezina said of his teammate.

Despite adding size, switching positions was never a legitimate consideration. Neal maintained his speed despite adding weight the last couple years, allowing him to stay in the defensive backfield and make plays anywhere on the field.

When injuries hit the Cyclone defense last season, Neal said he took on a larger role as a vocal leader, which should translate to the safety room filled with many of the same names from Iowa State last season. Within that group, and the team, the goal is evident.

“We’re taking it one step at a time,” Neal said. “We know what we’re here to do, and that goal is to get a national championship, and I’m not shying away from that. I’m pretty sure no one on the team is shying away from that.”