Quick Facts
Biography
Ryan Neill (born December 12, 1982 in Wayne, New Jersey) is a former American football defensive end and long snapper. He was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He grew up in Wayne, New Jersey and played college football at Rutgers. In the NFL, Neill has also played for the San Diego Chargers and St. Louis Rams.
Early years
The son of NY Giant nose tackle, Bill Neill. Ryan Neill attended Wayne Hills High School, New Jersey and was an All-State selection by the Associated Press and Gannett News, adding All-State Group 3 and All-State recognition from the Star Ledger. He was also a member of the Super 100 All-State Football Team that was selected by the NewJersey Football Coaches Association. While at Wayne Hills compiled a 33-3 record in his three seasons as a starter. In 2000, he recorded 106 tackles and 16 sacks. He also forced four fumbles, and recovered two, returning one for 20 yards for a score.
College career
In 41 games at Rutgers, Neill started 35 games. and recorded 176 tackles (82 solos) with 19 sacks and made 41 stops for losses and wascredited with 28 quarterback pressures, three fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles… he also had three pass defl ections and a 31-yard interception return for a touchdown. He is fifth in school history with his 19.0 quarterback sacks, topped only by Nate Toran (52, 1973–76), Dan Gray (29, 1975–77), Dino Mangiero (26, 1976–79) and Shawn Williams (21, 1989–92).
His ten sacks in 2005 rank seventh on Rutgers’ season-record list and as a senior was a Sports Illustrated honorable mention All-American Selection. He was also an Academic All-American choice and was First-team All-Big East Conference and Academic All-Big East accolades. He was also named the team’s MVP. Neill was of 3 finalists for the Ted Hendricks Trophy (nations best Defensive End, 2005 winner Tamba Hali). He started all season at right defensive end and ranked second in the Big East and eighth nationally with 21.5 stops for losses and ranked second in the conference with 10.0 sacks and added 24 quarterback pressures, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
As a junior in 2004 Neill was First-team All-Big East Conference after starting every game at right defensive end, recording 43 tackles (18 solos) and ranked second in the Big East with 8.0 sacks, 13 stops for losses and four quarterback pressures, recovered a fumble and deflected a pass.
During the 2002 season Neill suffered a severe knee injury. His knee was reconstructed by Russell Warren, M.D.. Following a medical redshirt year in 2003, Neill returned to the field in 2004. In his first game, he intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown to lead Rutgers past Michigan State.
Professional career
Buffalo Bills
Neill was an undrafted free agent and signed with the Buffalo Bills. He contributed at defensive end in 2006, 2007, 2008 and handled the long-snapping duties for the Bills in 2007 and 2008.
St. Louis Rams
After long snapper Chris Massey was injured, the St. Louis Rams signed Neill to handle those duties for the remainder of the season.
San Diego Chargers
Neill signed with the San Diego Chargers on September 17, 2010, but unfortunately, he suffered a leg fracture September 26, 2010 playing the Seattle Seahawks. He finished the 2010 season on injured reserve.