When Texas A&M entered the 2002 season, the program was bracing for a major change of the guard. After fourteen seasons in Aggieland, legendary head coach R. C. Slocum was asked to step down following only his second non‑winning campaign. Alabama head coach Dennis Franchione was hired to take over, and he arrived with one of the most electric prospects in the country headlining A&M’s signing class. That player was Reggie McNeal.
McNeal came to College Station as the No. 2 athlete in Texas and the No. 6 overall recruit in the nation. There was early debate about where he would line up because he needed refinement as a passer, but he was such a gifted athlete that you wanted the ball in his hands every snap.
High School
McNeal was a standout at Lufkin High School, excelling not only on the football field but also in track, basketball, and baseball. Track may have been his second‑best sport, and his 10.36 time in the 100 meters and 21.1 in the 200 translated directly to the gridiron. As a senior, he rushed for 865 yards and 10 touchdowns and cemented his place in Texas high school football history during the 2001 state title game.
Playing on an injured ankle and trailing Austin Westlake 21–3, McNeal engineered a legendary comeback. He finished with 380 yards and four touchdowns to lead Lufkin to a 38–24 win and the Division II championship. He closed the season with 2,385 passing yards, 856 rushing yards, and 34 total touchdowns. He also played defense, recording seven interceptions and returning one for a score, which helped fuel his national ranking as an all‑around athlete.
His career numbers included a 33–8 record, 5,935 passing yards, and 65 touchdowns. He earned Offensive Player of the Year honors, All‑America recognition from SuperPrep, and was ranked as the No. 3 quarterback recruit in the country. He also earned all‑state honors, was named East Texas Player of the Year, and competed in the U. S. Army All‑American Bowl.
Recruiting Rankings (Class of 2001)
College
When McNeal arrived at Texas A&M, he immediately entered the quarterback competition with Dustin Long. He opened the season as the backup, but that changed quickly. Coming off the bench against No. 1 Oklahoma, he threw a freshman record four touchdowns to lead the Aggies to a stunning upset at Kyle Field. The performance earned him National Offensive Player of the Week and the starting job, but an ankle injury cut his freshman season short.
After a strong sophomore year, McNeal delivered a breakout junior season. He threw for 2,791 yards and 14 touchdowns and set the single‑season rushing record for an Aggie quarterback with 718 yards and eight scores. His play earned multiple Offensive Player of the Week honors, a spot as a Davey O’Brien Award semifinalist, and All‑Big 12 first‑team recognition.
His senior season did not match the momentum of the year before. Injuries and inconsistency slowed him down, and the team as a whole underperformed after entering 2005 with high expectations. Even so, he threw a career‑high 16 touchdowns and continued to collect weekly awards.
McNeal closed his college career in the East‑West Shrine Game, where he helped lead the West squad to victory with 211 passing yards and two touchdowns. His final A&M totals included 6,992 passing yards, 44 touchdowns, 23 interceptions, 1,889 rushing yards, and 15 rushing touchdowns.
Professional Football
NFL
McNeal entered the 2006 NFL Draft with questions surrounding his senior season, his accuracy, and how his style fit the league at the time. He answered some of those concerns at the combine with a blazing 4.35 in the forty and a 10‑foot‑1 broad jump. Cincinnati drafted him in the sixth round as a wide receiver.
He spent time on the practice squad and later moved to the active roster. Injuries at quarterback pushed him into a third‑string role for a short stretch, and he appeared in one game, rushing for eight yards. That would be his only NFL season.
CFL
A month after being released by Cincinnati, McNeal signed with the Toronto Argonauts. He was released and re‑signed in 2008, eventually finding success after stepping in for an injured teammate. He finished that season with 43 receptions for 606 yards and two touchdowns and remained with Toronto through 2010.
He played one more professional game after being traded to Calgary and then Edmonton before retiring due to a severe back injury. His CFL career totals included 80 receptions, 1,090 yards, and five touchdowns.
Post Football Career
Today, McNeal has built a life centered around coaching, mentorship, and family. He has worked with multiple organizations developing young quarterbacks and was inducted into the Texas High School Hall of Fame in 2017 alongside fellow Aggie Dat Nguyen. He remains a regular presence at Kyle Field, whether on the sideline during games or participating in Maroon and White Spring Game seven‑on‑seven events.
He also returned to school and earned his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Leadership and Development, adding another chapter to a career defined by talent, perseverance, and impact.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: What happened to Texas A&M’s top-rated recruit from the 2002 class?
Reporting by Jarrett Johnson, Aggies Wire / Aggies Wire
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By Jarrett Johnson, Aggies Wire | USA TODAY Network
