Transfer linebacker more than muscle

Auburn is getting more than an all-conference linebacker in graduate-transfer T.J. Neal, who is scheduled to join the team in May.

AUBURN | T.J. Neal is a talented linebacker. He’s got stats to back it up. But the Illinois graduate transfer is more than muscle.

Neal is a soon-to-be college graduate with a degree in adult education. He’s set to pursue a fifth-year degree at Auburn. He’s a team captain, a leader.

Most importantly, Neal’s a father.

“I’m a very family-oriented man,” Neal said.

Neal, who originally is from Duquesne, Pa. – a suburb 20 miles southeast of Pittsburgh - is scheduled to move to Auburn in May. It won't be a solo journey.

“I’m bringing my family to the Auburn family,” Neal said.

Neal and girlfriend Chanel Blackwell have a 5-month-old daughter, Ty, whom the two are raising together. Neal and Blackwell won’t change the living situation. The two will continue to raise Ty in Auburn while Neal finishes his college eligibility and pursues his goal of playing in the NFL.

“I wanted my family to be with me,” Neal said. “This is a big step for me, a big step for us, and I’m glad that they will be with me. I'm glad that we can do it together.”

Blackwell is moving to Auburn without having visited. She trusts Neal. He’s been to Auburn. He was on the Plains in February for an official visit and committed soon after.

“She is very excited about it,” Neal said. “We sat down and discussed it. We talked about some of the stuff that I needed to do to accomplish my dream, and after I visited I believe Auburn offers me everything that I need. She’s happy. She’s looking forward to the whole transition. She is ready to get down to Auburn and I am, too.”

Neal, who turned 22 in December, is set to graduate from Illinois on May 14. He’ll be in Auburn less than four days later. Classes at Auburn begin May 18.

“I can’t wait,” Neal said. “My family is very supportive. They are all for me going down there and playing in the SEC against and with some of the top players in college football.”

It’s a bonus that both Blackwell and Ty will be there with him.

“It’s definitely a dream come true,” Neal said. “I live by love. I value love and respect, and I live by family. That’s what Auburn stands for. That's why I’m going to Auburn.

"I'm going to Auburn to become an Auburn Tiger.”