Neal Sterling

Last updated

Neal Sterling
Neal Sterling.JPG
Sterling with the New York Jets in 2017
No. 85, 87
Position: Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1992-01-14) January 14, 1992 (age 32)
Belmar, New Jersey, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:257 lb (117 kg)
Career information
High school: Manasquan
(Manasquan, New Jersey)
College: Monmouth (2010–2014)
NFL draft: 2015  / round: 7 / pick: 220
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:24
Receiving yards:239
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Neal J. Sterling (born January 14, 1992) is a former American professional foootball tight end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for four seasons. He played college football for the Monmouth Hawks and was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL draft. He was also a member of the New York Jets.

Contents

Early life

Sterling attended Belmar Elementary School (Belmar, New Jersey) and Manasquan High School (in Manasquan, New Jersey), where he played both basketball and football. Sterling was a two-time NJSIAA Group II Central Jersey State Champion his junior and senior year at Manasquan High School under coach Pete Cahill. In his senior year, the Warriors posted a 9–3 record where Sterling led the team in offense with 40 catches for 700 yards with 8 touchdowns. He also contributed on defense at safety, where he recorded 50 tackles and one interception. After receiving multiple scholarships for both sports, he opted for a full football scholarship offer from Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey. [1]

College career

Sterling played wide receiver at Monmouth University. He did not see time his freshman year, ultimately redshirting. In his redshirt freshman year, Sterling started all 11 of Monmouth's games where he recorded 57 receptions for 677 yards and five touchdowns. After leading the team in receptions and receiving yards, Sterling was named Northeast Conference Offensive Rookie of the Year and was a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, given to the nation's top freshman in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). During his sophomore campaign, Sterling recorded 33 receptions, 386 receiving yards, and five touchdowns while playing in all 10 games. His 33 catches were third on the team and the 386 receiving yards were second. In his junior year, Sterling played in all 12 of his games where he recorded 57 catches, 647 receiving yards, and six touchdowns which all led the team. The following year, Sterling had his best season. He again led the team in the three major receiving categories where he got 55 receptions, 905 receiving yards, and six touchdowns.

Professional career

Jacksonville Jaguars

Sterling was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round with the 220th overall pick of the 2015 NFL draft. [2] He was waived by the team on September 4, 2015 and was signed to the practice squad. [3] [4] He was promoted to the active roster on October 20, 2015. [5]

In 2016, Sterling converted to the tight end position. [6] He played in 10 games with one start during the 2016 season, recording 12 catches for 110 yards.

On September 3, 2017, Sterling was waived by the Jaguars. [7]

New York Jets (first stint)

On September 6, 2017, Sterling was signed by the New York Jets. [8] He was released by the team on October 5, 2017. [9]

Kansas City Chiefs (first stint)

On October 7, 2017, Sterling was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad. [10]

New York Jets (second stint)

On October 25, 2017, Sterling was signed by the Jets off the Chiefs' practice squad. [11]

On November 10, 2018, Sterling was placed on injured reserve with a head injury. [12]

On March 25, 2019, Sterling re-signed with the Jets. [13] He was released on June 11, 2019. [14]

Kansas City Chiefs (second stint)

On June 13, 2019, Sterling signed with the Chiefs. [15] He was released on July 24.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcedes Lewis</span> American football player (born 1984)

Marcedes Alexis Lewis is an American professional football tight end for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, earning consensus All-American honors. He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the 2006 NFL draft, and as of the 2024 NFL season, is the only remaining active player from the class.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logan Thomas</span> American football player (born 1991)

Logan Lamont Thomas Sr. is an American professional football tight end who is a free agent. He was the starting quarterback while playing college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies in the early 2010s, where he finished as the school's all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns before being selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austin Seferian-Jenkins</span> American football player (born 1992)

Austin Edward Seferian-Jenkins is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football for the Washington Huskies. He also played for the New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Griffin (tight end)</span> American football player (born 1990)

Ryan Francis Griffin is an American football tight end who is a free agent. He played college football at Connecticut, and was selected by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL draft. He has also previously played for the New York Jets and Chicago Bears.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tommy Bohanon</span> American football player (born 1990)

Thomas Grant Bohanon is a former American football fullback and special teamer. He played college football at Wake Forest and was selected by the New York Jets in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers and Baltimore Ravens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Ebron</span> American football player (born 1993)

Eric Ebron is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. He also played for the Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick O'Leary</span> American football player (born 1992)

Nicklaus O'Leary is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles, earning consensus All-American honors in 2014. He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Kroft</span> American football player (born 1992)

Tyler Kroft is an American football tight end who is a free agent. He played college football at Rutgers. He was drafted in the third round, 85th overall, in the 2015 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He has also played for the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Boyle</span> American football player (born 1993)

Nicholas Ryan Boyle is an American professional football tight end who is a free agent. He played college football at Delaware and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C. J. Uzomah</span> American football player (born 1993)

Christopher James Uzomah is an American professional football tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Auburn and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft.

James O'Shaughnessy is an American football tight end who is a free agent. He was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft with the 173rd overall pick. He played college football at Illinois State from 2010 to 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Tomlinson</span> American football player (born 1992)

Eric Tomlinson is an American professional football tight end for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at UTEP. He previously played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans, New York Jets, New England Patriots, New York Giants and Oakland Raiders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geoff Swaim</span> American football player (born 1993)

Geoff Swaim is an American professional football tight end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns and was selected in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Swaim has also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans.

Wilhelm Tye is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and Stony Brook Seawolves, and signed with the New York Giants in 2015 as an undrafted free agent. Tye was the first player from Stony Brook to reach the NFL and played two seasons for the Giants and one for the New York Jets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Leggett</span> American football player (born 1995)

Jordan Kristopher Leggett is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers. He was selected by the New York Jets in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devin Asiasi</span> American football player (born 1997)

Devin Timothy Soane Asiasi is an American football tight end who is a free agent. He played college football at UCLA. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerell Adams</span> American football player (born 1992)

Jerell D. Adams is a former American football tight end. He played college football at South Carolina.

Christopher Herndon IV is an American professional football tight end who is a free agent. He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes and was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Firkser</span> American football player (born 1995)

Anthony Paul Firkser is an American professional football tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Harvard and signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He has played in the NFL for the Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, and Detroit Lions.

Kenneth Yeboah is an American professional football tight end for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Temple and Ole Miss.

References

  1. ↑ Newman, Josh. "Monmouth's Neal Sterling Chosen in NFL Draft by Jacksonville Jaguars", Asbury Park Press , May 3, 2015. Accessed May 17, 2015. "Sterling, a Belmar native and a 2009 graduate of Manasquan High School, finished in the top three on the career list of every receiving category."
  2. ↑ Oehser, John (May 2, 2015). "'15 NFL Draft: Jaguars select Sterling at No. 220". Jaguars.com. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  3. ↑ Oehser, John (September 4, 2015). "Roster moves: Eighteen done, four to go". Jaguars.com. Archived from the original on August 26, 2017. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Jaguars sign eight to practice squad". Jaguars.com. September 6, 2015. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Jaguars make roster moves". Jaguars.com. October 20, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  6. ↑ Kaye, Mike (October 2, 2016). "Jaguars forced to improvise at tight end in win over the Colts". firstcoastnews.com. Archived from the original on September 2, 2017. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Jaguars claim five players off waivers". Jaguars.com. September 3, 2017. Archived from the original on November 5, 2017.
  8. ↑ Lange, Randy (September 6, 2017). "Jets Sign TE Neal Sterling to Active Roster". NewYorkJets.com.
  9. ↑ Allen, Eric (October 5, 2017). "Jets Waive TE Sterling". NewYorkJets.com.
  10. ↑ "Chiefs Sign TE Neal Sterling To Practice Squad, Release TE Orson Charles". October 7, 2017.
  11. ↑ Lange, Randy (October 25, 2017). "Jets IR Xavier Coleman, Re-Sign Neal Sterling". NewYorkJets.com. Archived from the original on October 26, 2017.
  12. ↑ Allen, Eric; Greenberg, Ethan (November 10, 2018). "Jets Promote QB Davis Webb to Active Roster, Place TE Neal Sterling on IR". NewYorkJets.com.
  13. ↑ Lange, Randy (March 25, 2019). "Jets Re-Sign Fifth-Year Tight End Neal Sterling". NewYorkJets.com.
  14. ↑ "Jets Release TE Neal Sterling". NewYorkJets.com. June 11, 2019.
  15. ↑ Bouda, Nate (June 13, 2019). "Chiefs Sign TE Neal Sterling, Cut Three".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.