Saint Francis University Athletics

Recruiting Areas: Pennsylvania Districts 3, 7 and 8, Maryland (PG County and Baltimore), Delaware, Northern Florida, California

Bishop Neal continued the tradition of dominating defenses in his first season as defensive coordinator in 2019. The Red Flash defense ranked 3^rd in the NEC and 13^th in FCS in total defense (318.4 ypg), and third in the NEC in scoring defense (21.8 ppg).

SFU was particularly stout on third down, ranking 2^nd in FCS in 3^rd down defense % (29.5%). Neal's defense adopted an aggressive style, leading the NEC and ranking 7^th in FCS in tackles for loss (8.4 per game). It also ranked second in the NEC with 34 sacks, had the 9^th best pass defense efficiency in all of FCS and the 2nd best  best run defense in the NEC and 15^th best in FCS (115.8 ypg). The SFU defense held five opponents under 20 points for the season.

Senior linebacker Da'Jon Lee led all of FCS in tackles for a loss (24.5) and was a STATS FCS Buck Buchanan Award Finalist and STATS FCS Third Team All-American. Sophomore defensive back Dorian Jackson led the NEC and ranked T-2^nd in all of FCS with 16 pass breakups, a new school record breaking the mark of 15 by Jermaine Ponder. Fellow defensive back Terrell Smith was named the 2019 NEC Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Neal returned to Saint Francis as Defensive Backs coach in 2016 after playing for the Red Flash from 2011-14.  Neal enters his first season as defensive coordinator after spending his first three seasons in Loretto coaching the defensive backs. Neal also serves as the Red Flash recruiting coordinator, overseeing the team's recruiting efforts. 

The Saint Francis secondary played a major role in the SFU defense having another dominant year, allowing just 14.6 points and 287.2 total yards per game as well as 149.5 passing yards and 137.6 rushing yards, leading the NEC in all four categories.  SFU allowed an opponent pass efficiency rating of just 96.2 and held opponents to just 63.6 percent in the Red Zone.  SFU ranked fifth in the nation in scoring defense, 10th in total defense, sixth in pass defense, third in pass efficiency defense and fourth in Red Zone defense.  SFU forced 25 turnovers, ranking 18th in the nation. SFU set a program record with four defensive touchdowns.
 
The Red Flash held nine of its 11 opponents to under 200 yards passing, four opponents to under 100 yards rushing and forced two or more turnovers in eight games.  Against NEC opponents, SFU allowed only four scoring drives longer than 60 yards and only 15 plays of 20 or more yards. In five games against non-conference opponents (four against full-scholarship programs), SFU allowed only six scoring drives over 60 yards and 11 plays of 20 or more yards.
 
The secondary featured three All-NEC performers, including All-America cornerback Malik Duncan, a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, which goes to the top defensive player in the FCS, tied for the team-lead with three interceptions, including a pick-six vs. Lock Haven.  Duncan finished his career fourth all-time at SFU with 29 pass breakups.  He did not allow a touchdown catch in 28 straight games to finish his career and only allowed three receptions against NEC opponents this year. He was named All-America by College Sports Madness, HERO Sports, Phil Steele and STATS FCS.
 
First Team All-NEC safety Delondo Boyd was fourth on the team with 57 tackles, four for loss, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a 25-yard pick-six.  Second Team All-NEC cornerback Jalen Wells collected 40 tackles, three interceptions (135 return yards) and five pass breakups.  Wells finished third all-time at SFU with 253 career interception return yards.
 
Junior safety Hakeem Kinard and sophomore safety Nick Rinella had impressive years in their first season as full-time starters.  Kinard was all over the field, collecting 73 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, four pass breakups and two interceptions.  Rinella recorded 51 tackles, two for loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, three pass breakups and tied for the team-lead with three interceptions.
 
Sophomore Jarren Williams, freshman Martin Foray Jr. and junior Jermaine Ponder all earned rotation time in the secondary.  Williams had 15 tackles, 13 solo, and four pass breakups, while Foray Jr. tallied seven tackles.  Ponder contributed five tackles and a pass breakup.

Neal’s secondary was a big reason why SFU boasted one of the top defenses in the FCS in 2016.  The Red Flash ranked 11th in the nation in scoring defense (19.8 ppg), 15th in total defense (320.8 ypg), 18th in rushing defense (121.2) and 39th in passing defense (199.6).  SFU forced 24 turnovers, ranking 21st in the country, and set a new program-record with 39 sacks, ranking fourth in the FCS. 
 
The Red Flash defense was led by All-American safety Lorenzo Jerome.  Jerome was selected All-America by the Associated Press, College Sports Madness, HERO Sports, STATS FCS and the Walter Camp Foundation. 
 
Jerome became the first player in SFU and NEC history to earn invites to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine.  Jerome was named the MVP of the NFLPA Bowl after recording two interceptions and followed that performance with two interceptions and a forced fumble at the Senior Bowl.  Jerome signed an undrafted free agent deal with the San Francisco 49ers.
 
Jerome was one of three defensive backs among the All-NEC selections.  Junior cornerback Malik Duncan and safety Delondo Boyd received Second Team accolades.  With his First Team selection, Jerome became the first player in NEC history to earn four First Team selections in his career.
 
Jerome led the secondary with six interceptions, tied for third in the FCS, including two each at Montana and Robert Morris.  He was third on SFU with 59 tackles, including 33 solo and 5.5 for loss.  He added 2.5 sacks, five pass breakups and returned a fumble 89 yards for a score at Towson.  Jerome’s 18 career interceptions rank second in SFU and NEC history.
 
Boyd was second on SFU with 70 tackles, including 44 solo, 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks, while serving as team captain.  He also had three pass breakups and a forced fumble.
 
Duncan set an SFU record with 14 pass breakups, ranking 20th in the FCS.  He was fourth on SFU with 58 tackles, including 39 solo, 2.5 for loss and a sack.  Duncan had two interceptions at Robert Morris.
 
Fellow corner Jalen Wells had 39 tackles, with 25 solo, a sack, 12 pass breakups and three interceptions, including two pick-six’s.  He returned an interception 40 yards for a score against Bryant and had a 78-yard pick-six in the FCS Playoffs First Round game at Villanova.
 
Sophomore Hakeem Kinard played in eight games, starting four, with 31 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack.

Neal served as Linebackers Coach at Westminster College in 2015.  Helped the Titans to a 9-2 record and a win in the ECAC James Lynah Bowl against St. John Fisher College.  The Titans ranked 11th in Division III in total defense and 23rd in scoring defense.

Neal was a three-year starter and a major contributor all four years he played at Saint Francis, named a First Team All-NEC selection as a senior after earning Second Team honors as a junior.  Appeared in 43 career games and made 271 career tackles at SFU, including 30 for loss and six sacks.

Majored in Physical Therapy at Saint Francis.