By Brittany Bowyer
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SCOTTSDALE — Standing at 6-foot-8 and 265 pounds, Horizon junior offensive lineman Liam McNeal has all of the size necessary to play at the next level.

With his recruitment heating up, McNeal is starting to get looks from top programs across the country. One of the programs showing interest in him is Arizona State. The backyard school is recruiting him hard, offering him one of the few “golden ticket” opportunities they give out to recruits each year.

The “golden ticket” is a recruiting strategy used by Kenny Dillingham and his staff to prioritize in-state recruiting in an effort to keep some of the top recruits home. It’s limited to a select group of players and is offered right when the recruiting window opens for the junior class. The ticket is presented as a token to show how much of a priority they are when it comes to recruiting, rather than just relying on verbal statements.

“It means a lot,” McNeal said about being offered one of the tickets. “I just really appreciate being acknowledged, and it really feels good to be recognized as one of the better recruits in the state.”

Playing on the offensive line, McNeal is used to being overlooked when it comes to recognition for his contributions on the field. He said earning this offer feels really good, especially knowing he’s a priority.

McNeal said he had no idea the prized offer was coming. He was speaking with the offensive line coach at ASU, Saga Tuitele, along with assistant offensive line coach Ty Barrett, when they told him he was a golden ticket recipient.

“It was a big surprise, actually,” McNeal said. “I didn’t expect it at all."

Horizon Head Coach Tyson Ditmore said for McNeal’s size, he’s athletic and moves around the field well. Ditmore mentioned in his years of coaching, he’s come to notice a lot of big guys struggle to get around the field, but not McNeal. McNeal is both agile and explosive in his movements, getting where he needs to be to help protect the quarterback or open up running lanes for his backs.

“[McNeal]’s super athletic, I want to say his vertical is like 29-inches,” Ditmore said. “Sometimes it’s really hard for big guys to move really well, but Liam is just kind of like Gumby ... I think that’s what some of the coaches are really excited about that are recruiting him.”

Part of McNeal’s athleticism runs in the family. His father was a shotput and hammer thrower at Air Force, and his sister is currently a freshman on Pepperdine’s Volleyball team.

“He’s got God’s gift with size and athletic ability,” Ditmore said.

When it comes to contributing on the field this year, expectations are high for McNeal. Ditmore said this year especially, McNeal’s size and experience will be crucial in helping to lead the offense to success.

Since McNeal still has two more seasons with the Huskies, there’s still a lot of time to for him to continue growing as a player. Ditmore said the most important thing for McNeal is to continue maturing and expanding his football knowledge.

“He’s gotta develop his knowledge for the game a little bit more,” Ditmore said. “I think it’s just understanding the game and knowing the expectations that are gonna come when he goes to play college football, because you know when you get there it’s all business. It’s not high school football anymore.”

McNeal said in his next two years, he hopes develop the most he can as an athlete.

“I’m looking to develop the most I can in the next two years, whether that’s putting on more weight, getting stronger, getting faster or developing my technique more,” McNeal said. “Just being the best player I can be while I’m still in high school and prepare for college even more.”

He also hopes to help bring a State Championship trophy home to Horizon.

McNeal knows if he’s going to make it in college, it’s not all about his skills on the gridiron, but his academic achievements, too. He describes himself as an above average student with a passion for history.

He said at this point in time, he’s not sure what he wants to study in college, but said that won’t impact his timeline of making his decision.

“I’m planning on committing the summer before my senior season,” McNeal said.

Brittany Bowyer is a Report for America corps member, covering sports for Independent Newsmedia in Arizona. Report for America places talented journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and regions.