Alim McNeill was born on May 11, 2000, in Raleigh, North Carolina, and could be formidable even during his high school days. In Jesse O. Sanderson High School, he played inside linebacker and short-yardage running back, scoring a total of 40 career touchdowns.
His versatility didn't stop there, as McNeill shone in baseball, too, as a right fielder with a batting average of.355 in his senior year. That result earned him all-conference honors for three successive years.
McNeill's commitment to North Carolina State University sealed the beginning of his rise in college football. During his time from 2018 to 2020, he was very crucial for the NC State Wolfpack. In his freshman year, he got a place as a freshman All-American by 247sports, while in his junior year, he emerged as an All-American by The Athletic and Pro Football Focus.
CAPTION: From college standout to NFL-bound, McNeill’s journey as a defensive powerhouse began at NC State. SOURCE: Pinterest In college, the stats included 77 tackles, 10 sacks, one interception, and one touchdown, all combined to make him an imposing figure as far as defense was concerned.
The Detroit Lions selected McNeill in the third round, 72nd overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. On May 13, 2021, McNeill signed his four-year rookie contract and wasted little time carving out an integral role along the Detroit Lions' defense. In year two of his NFL career, McNeill became a weekly starter, proving capable of making adjustments to thrive at the next level.
After an injury to his knee limited him to just 13 games in the 2023 season, he set a career-high with five sacks, 10 quarterback hits, 32 tackles, and an impressive 88.5 PFF overall grade.
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On October 15, 2024, McNeill signed a four-year contract extension worth $97 million with the Detroit Lions, including $55 million guaranteed. That is $24.25 million a season on average, placing him among the best interior defensive linemen in the NFL.
CAPTION:A well-deserved deal! McNeill’s commitment to excellence rewarded with a $97M extension. SOURCE: Instagram This points out the hard work he has done and how he has helped the Lions' defense this season.
McNeill suffered a setback when, during Week 13 of the 2023 season, he was injured in the knee and subsequently placed on injured reserve on December 5, 2023. He recovered so quickly that he was activated from the injured reserve list on January 6, 2024.
His toughness and grit flashed during a win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 8 of the 2023 season, as he tallied two sacks along with one pass deflection.
He was still a stalwart of the Detroit Lions defense through 2024. Coming off this contract extension, McNeill will look to continue his dominance on the field. From being one of the best in high school to being among the best in the NFL, the path of McNeill has shown how much he has put his heart and soul into being at the top of his game.
CAPTION: McNeill is the heartbeat of the Lions’ defense, bringing unmatched energy and resilience. SOURCE: Instagram Now, he does have a chance to lead the Lions up the ranks as one of the highest interior defensive linemen in football.
The financial breakdown for McNeill as a result of his new contract extension is: $3,091,000 as a base salary and $25,000 as a workout bonus for the 2024 season, amounting to $3,116,000. The contract extension is for four years, and annual cash flows from this are projected at $13,116,000 in 2024, $16,000,000 in 2025, $24,000,000 in 2026, $22,750,000 in 2027, and $24,250,000 in 2028. It is a pretty good deal, showing his value at present and setting him up for long-term financial security.
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