DeSmet’s Neal signs with Oklahoma to play football

DeSmet’s Durron Neal stuck by his choice to become an Oklahoma Sooner.

“I’m very relieved this is done,” Neal said. “The last couple of weeks, I’ve had Missouri pushing me real hard to flip my decision. I was loyal to myself and loyal to Sooner Nation as this process went along, but it feels really good to finally get it over with.

“I’m a very traditional type of person, and the tradition of the school is just tremendous, and the program is all about winning. Taking nothing away from the other schools, I just felt like it was a good fit with me and my family.”

DeSmet coach Pat Mahoney said he is happy for Neal.

“I am always proud of Durron because he understands that it is hard work that gets you where you want to go,” Mahoney said.

Mahoney said Neal handled the recruiting process well.

“Really, it was not that bad since he committed early,” Mahoney said. “I think they all enjoy it for a while, then it gets tiresome.”

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said Neal is a good athlete.

“He’s an exceptional athletes,” Stoops said. “We expect Durron to help us out. He’s got great, great speed. We really like Durron.

“He can run with the football after the catch. That’s great. He’s physical.”

The 6-1, 195-pound Neal has lined up at receiver, running back, cornerback, safety, and quarterback since his sophomore season. He also returned most kickoffs and punts. That level of responsibility would overwhelm most high school athletes.

Instead, it’s taught Neal to be a leader: He racked up 2,614 yards of total offense and 31 touchdowns as a junior.

As a senior, Neal caught 35 passes for 825 yards, an average of 23.6 yards per catch, and 15 touchdowns. He ran 78 times for 716 yards and 11 touchdowns. He passed for 105 yards and two scores. Neal also scored two touchdowns on returns for De Smet, which went 9-3 and advanced to the Class 5 quarterfinals.

Added together, he amassed 1,646 total yards and 30 touchdowns as senior. Both his offensive touchdown total (28) and receiving yard (825) set new school records.

After his senior season, Neal was named the Missouri Football Coaches Association (MFCA) Offensive Player of the Year and a fist-team all-stater by the Missouri high school football media.

During his three full seasons on the varsity squad, Neal set another school record by scoring 78 touchdowns as the Spartans went 29-9, advancing to the state semifinals twice and the quarterfinals once.

“He does everything on the field well,” Mahoney said. “he played receiver, return man, quarterback, running back, cornerback and safety. He holds the school record for receiving yardage and touchdowns and has the longest punt return in the state history.”

Neal committed to Oklahoma over Missouri, Oregon, Alabama, Arkansas and Michigan last June.  Coming in at No. 62 in the final Rivals 100, is one of the top recruits heading the Sooners’ new signing class.

Neal is a solid athlete who will get touches all over the field and always puts up terrific numbers statistically. He has great speed and can hit top speed instantly. He has great agility and his change of direction allows him to run past or around defenders. He has the size and speed to be a split end, slot receiver or flanker for the Sooners.

Neal was selected to play in the 2012 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, joining an elite group of All-Americans last month. The game was played at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Mahoney said Neal will have to work hard at Oklahoma.

“He has to adjust to the speed of the game and playing in a system, not just being able to outrun mere mortals,” Mahoney said. “Durron is a fine young man, a credit to his parents and our school.”

There were three other football signings for senior Spartans.

Lineman Lorenzo Gregory signed to play at Benedictine College. Receiver KeVonn Mabon signed with Ball State and defensive player Jamie Placht signed with the University of Indianapolis.

Gregory, a 6-0, 290-pound lineman notched 29 total tackles, 22 of which were solo. In those tackles were two for a loss and three sacks. An All-Metro Catholic Confernece selection as a senior, Gregory served as a team captain during 2011.

Mabon, who will suit up as a receiver for the Cardinals, tallied a total of nine touchdowns as a senior, including seven as a receiver and two rushing. He recorded 666 receiving yards, averaging 24.2 per catch, while rushing for 115 and 187 yards on kick returns.

Placht, who will play either strong safety or linebacker at Indianapolis, notched 30 solo tackles and 10 assists, while leading the team with 11 tackles for loss. He also picked off three interceptions on the defensive side. Offensively, he rushed for 213 yards and found the endzone twice as a senior.