Furman University

Furman:  Heads into preseason practice along with Tyreek Phillips as a contender for the starting job at nose tackle...expected to push for significant playing time based on experience...excels against the run and has the capacity to command double teams. 2010 — Appeared in all 11 games and recorded 10 tackles...notched season high four stops in season opener versus Colgate (45-15 win)...recorded a pass deflection against Elon.  2009 — Played in two early season games before being tagged for a redshirt...had three tackles and a half sack in season opening, 45-21 win over Presbyterian.

High School:  2009 graduate of Toombs County (2A) High School...football coach his senior year was Shane Williamson...played defensive tackle and tight end...totaled 153 tackles, including 16 for-loss, and 3.5 sacks in his career...served as team captain and captured all-region honors as both a defensive tackle and tight end his senior year, helping his team to a 9-4 record that included a win over Southwest Macon...lost in third round of state playoffs to Calhoun...totaled 49 tackles, including 13 for loss in 2008...played tight end in the 2008 Georgia North-South All-Star Game...two-time all-region first baseman in baseball...batted .548  with seven home runs, 44 RBI, and 20-game hitting streak in 2008...recipient of University of Georgia Certificate of Merit...Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Ambassador.

Personal:  Full name is Neal Aaron Rodgers...born January 6, 1991, in Vidalia, Georgia...son of Ryan and Jill Rodgers...has a sister, Carmen...grandfather, Earl Rodgers, played basketball at Brewton-Parker (Ga.) College....plays drums...also worked as an assistant at a local funeral home...communications major.