Neal attended California State University, Bakersfield and became one of the top wrestlers in the nation, compiling a 156–10 record with four All-American seasons.

[5] His 1999 season led up to the 2000 Summer Olympics trials where Kerry McCoy edged him for the trip to Sydney, Australia.

[6] Despite not playing football in college,[7] Neal was signed by the New England Patriots on July 23, 2001, as an undrafted free agent.

The Patriots re-signed Neal off the Eagles' practice squad on December 12, 2001, and he was inactive for the final three games of his 2001 rookie season, as well as the playoffs and Super Bowl XXXVI.

In 2002, Neal made the Patriots' 53-man roster out of training camp and spent the first four games of the season inactive before making his NFL debut as a reserve in Week 5.

The next week against the Green Bay Packers, Neal made his first career start at guard, but suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the game and was placed on injured reserve on October 23, 2002.

Neal started all 16 games for the Patriots in 2005, and re-signed with the team after testing the free agent market following the season.