Malachi McNeal is UND’s tone-setting linebacker and a proven all-around playmaker
McNeal brings rare steadiness and production to North Dakota’s defense: in the 2025 season, he started 11 games and led the team with 68 tackles and 8 quarterback hurries, while also adding 2.0 sacks and pass-breakup value that shows he’s more than just a clean-up tackler.[2][15] He has been praised as a captain-type leader with a growth mindset, and that blend of toughness, coaching receptiveness, and consistent disruption makes him a strong fit for teams wanting a high-IQ, physical linebacker who raises the floor of the whole unit.[6][15]
