Neil Farrell Jr. (born September 9, 1998) is an American professional football nose tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at LSU and was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Neil Farrell
refer to caption
Farrell #92 (left) at LSU
No. 97 – Miami Dolphins
Position:Nose tackle
Personal information
Born: (1998-09-09) September 9, 1998 (age 26)
Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:325 lb (147 kg)
Career information
High school:Murphy
(Mobile, Alabama)
College:LSU (2017–2021)
NFL draft:2022 / round: 4 / pick: 126
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles:13
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early years

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Farrell grew up in Mobile, Alabama and attended Murphy High School.[1] As a senior, Farrell recorded 101 tackles, 28 for a loss, 13 sacks, and 14 quarterback hurries.[2] Farrell was rated a four-star recruit and committed to play college football at LSU over offers from Michigan, Alabama, Florida, USC, and South Carolina and signed with the team despite a late recruiting push by Florida State.[3][4]

College career

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Farrell played in the first five games of his freshman season and recorded five tackles with one quarterback hurry before suffering an injury.[5] Farrell played in all 15 of LSU's games with three starts as a sophomore and had 46 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and three sacks as the Tigers won the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship.[6]

Farrell initially announced that he would opt-out of his senior season due to family health concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, but later reversed his decision.[7] Farrell finished the season with 25 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks, and 1 forced fumble.[8] After considering entering the 2021 NFL draft, he decided to utilize the extra year of eligibility granted to college athletes who played in the 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic and return to LSU for a fifth season.[9] Farrell finished the 2021 season with 45 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks.[10] After the conclusion of his college career, he played in the 2022 Senior Bowl and was named the best defensive lineman for the American Team.[11]

Professional career

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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 Bench press
6 ft 4+18 in
(1.93 m)
330 lb
(150 kg)
32+14 in
(0.82 m)
10+18 in
(0.26 m)
5.40 s 1.86 s 3.01 s 5.05 s 8.41 s 21.5 in
(0.55 m)
18 reps
Sources:[12][13]

Las Vegas Raiders

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Farrell was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in the fourth round, 126th overall, of the 2022 NFL draft.[14] He was placed on the non-football injury list on July 26, 2023.[15]

Kansas City Chiefs

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On August 29, 2023, Farrell was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for sixth-round selection in the 2024 NFL draft.[16] Farrell reached Super Bowl LVIII where the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in Super Bowl LVIII.[17] Farrell recorded 1 tackle and 1 pass defensed in the Super Bowl.[18]

Farrell was waived by the Chiefs on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad, but released two days later.[19][20]

Miami Dolphins

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On September 26, 2024, Farrell signed with the Miami Dolphins practice squad.[21] He was promoted to the active roster on November 11.

References

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  1. ^ Alexander, Wilson (February 5, 2022). "For LSU's Neil Farrell Jr., the Senior Bowl provides homecoming and chance to prove himself". The Advocate. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  2. ^ Bean, Josh (February 3, 2017). "Alabama HS stars heading out of state to chase college dreams". AL.com. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  3. ^ Thomas, Ben (July 27, 2016). "Murphy 2017 DL Neil Farrell commits to SEC West school". AL.com. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  4. ^ Smith, James (February 1, 2017). "LSU holds on to sign Alabama DT Neil Farrell". NOLA.com. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  5. ^ Lopez, Andrew (August 13, 2018). "'More mature' Neil Farrell looking to emerge for LSU football". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  6. ^ Gulibeau, Glenn (August 8, 2020). "LSU player Neil Farrell Jr. opts out of season due to pandemic". The Daily Advertiser. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  7. ^ Alexander, Wilson (November 5, 2021). "Neil Farrell Jr. left LSU. After his grandmother's bout with COVID, he returned a different person". The Advocate. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  8. ^ Auzenne, Josh (December 31, 2020). "2 LSU defensive linemen announce their return for 2021". WAFB.com. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  9. ^ Kubena, Brooks (December 31, 2020). "Starting LSU defensive tackle Neil Farrell announces he will return for another senior season". The Advocate. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  10. ^ Inabinett, Mark (February 2, 2022). "Murphy's Neil Farrell Jr. happy to be home for the Senior Bowl". AL.com. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  11. ^ Inabinett, Mark (February 8, 2022). "Neil Farrell Jr. leaves Mobile with Senior Bowl award". AL.com. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  12. ^ "Neil Farrell Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  13. ^ "Neil Farrell Jr., LSU, DT, 2022 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  14. ^ Edwards, Levi (April 30, 2022). "Defensive lineman Neil Farrell Jr. selected after Raiders trade up to No. 126". Raiders.com. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  15. ^ "We have placed DT Neil Farrell Jr. on the non-football injury list". Twitter.com. July 26, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  16. ^ Florio, Mike (August 29, 2023). "Chiefs trade with Raiders for defensive tackle Neil Farrell". NBCSports.com. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  17. ^ Maaddi, Rob (February 12, 2024). "Patrick Mahomes rallies the Chiefs to second straight Super Bowl title, 25–22 over 49ers in overtime". AP News. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  18. ^ "Super Bowl LVIII - San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs - February 11th, 2024". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  19. ^ "Chiefs Announce Roster Moves". Chiefs.com. August 27, 2024.
  20. ^ "Chiefs Announce Practice Squad and Other Roster Moves". Chiefs.com. August 27, 2024.
  21. ^ "Miami Dolphins Sign Neil Farrell to Practice Squad". miamidolphins.com. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
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