Alim McNeill

Alim McNeill (born May 11, 2000) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the NC State Wolfpack, and was selected by the Lions in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft.

Alim McNeill

No. 54 – Detroit Lions
Position:	Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born:	(2000-05-11) May 11, 2000 (age 25) Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:	310 lb (141 kg)
Career information
High school:	Sanderson (Raleigh)
College:	NC State (2018–2020)
NFL draft:	2021: 3rd round, 72nd pick
Career history
Detroit Lions (2021–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
First-team All-American (2020) First-team All-ACC (2020) Freshman All-American (2018)
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Total tackles: 137 Sacks: 11.5 Forced fumbles: 2 Pass deflections: 3 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

McNeill attended Jesse O. Sanderson High School in Raleigh, North Carolina.^[1] He played linebacker and running back in high school. McNeill committed to North Carolina State University to play college football.^[2] He also played baseball in high school.

College career

McNeill played at NC State from 2018 to 2020. During his career, he had 77 tackles, 10 sacks, one interception and one touchdown. As a junior, he was named an All-American by The Athletic and Pro Football Focus.^[3] After that season, he entered the 2021 NFL draft.^[4][5][6]

Professional career

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	Broad jump	Bench press
6 ft 1+7⁄8 in (1.88 m)	317 lb (144 kg)	32+5⁄8 in (0.83 m)	9+3⁄8 in (0.24 m)	4.96 s	1.68 s	2.90 s	4.65 s	7.68 s	30.5 in (0.77 m)	9 ft 0 in (2.74 m)	27 reps
All values from Pro Day[7][8][9]

McNeill was drafted 72nd overall by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft.^[10] He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 13, 2021.^[11]

McNeill entered the 2023 season as the Lions starting defensive tackle. In Week 8, he recorded two sacks, his first career multi-sack game, and a pass deflection in a 26–14 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. He suffered a knee injury in Week 13 and was placed on injured reserve on December 5, 2023.^[12] He was activated on January 6, 2024.^[13]

On October 15, 2024, McNeill signed a four-year, $97 million contract extension with the Lions.^[14] In Week 6's 47–9 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, McNeill recorded two sacks.^[15] In Week 15, McNeill tore his ACL in the 48–42 loss to the Buffalo Bills, ending his season. Prior to the injury, McNeill recorded 25 tackles, 3.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, and seven quarterback hits.^[16]