The Five Most “Explosive” Players for the 2015 Gators

Sep 20, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (27) pushes away Florida Gators defensive back Keanu Neal (42) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Keanu Neal, Junior

Playing the safety position can often be a thankless job and players at the back of the defense are limited to maybe 1-2 impact plays during the course of a game.

Luckily for Gator fans, defensive back Keanu Neal drops bombs on offensive players like Drake drops No.1 hits at the top of the music charts.

Whether it’s in coverage or in defending the running game, Neal is a well-rounded defender who had 25 assisted tackles as well as 20 solo tackles.

In back-to-back plays, Neal will happily go from covering a slot receiver, to then proceeding to destroy a running back.

If you don’t believe me, watch the hit he put on Alabama’s Derrick Henry.

And while the former 4-star recruit may not be the fastest player on the Gators, Neal is surprisingly active in pass defense, where he had three interceptions and four pass breakups.

Next: Brian Poole