Ryan Neuzil
Current teamAtlanta Falcons
Number64
PositionCenter
Birth dateJuly 31, 1997 (age 29)
Birth placeBradenton, Florida, U.S.
Height6 ft
Height in3
Weight lbs305
High schoolBraden River (Bradenton)
CollegeAppalachian State (2016–2020)
Undraftedyear2021
Pastteams
StatusActive
Statseason2024
Statlabel 1Games played
Statvalue 143
Statlabel 2Games started
Statvalue 212
PfrNeuzRy00

Ryan Scott Neuzil (born July 31, 1997) is an American professional football center for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Appalachian State Mountaineers and was signed by the Falcons as an undrafted free agent in .

Early life

Neuzil was born on July 31, 1997, in Bradenton, Florida. He attended Braden River High School and played tight end there, recording 26 receptions for 470 yards and two touchdowns as a senior. He was a first-team all-district and all-area selection at tight end, and also served as the team's punter, having an average of 45 yards-per-punt.[1]

A two-star prospect, Neuzil chose Appalachian State out of 12 scholarship offers.[2] His position was changed to center upon joining the school's football team.[3] As a true freshman in 2016, Neuzil redshirted.[1] In 2017, he appeared in seven games, beginning the year as backup center before being moved to starter at left guard. As a sophomore in 2018, Neuzil started all 13 games as a left guard and was selected second-team all-conference by Pro Football Focus (PFF).[1]

Neuzil was named a first-team all-conference selection as a junior in 2019, having started all 14 games as the team's left guard. In 2020, he started 12 games and was named first-team all-conference by PFF and third-team by the league's media and coaches. He was also named second-team All-American by Sporting News and PFF, and was a fourth-team selection by Phil Steele.[1] He declared for the NFL draft following the season.[4]

Professional career

After going unselected in the 2021 NFL draft, Neuzil was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent.[5] He was waived at the final roster cuts but was re-signed to the practice squad afterwards.[6][7] He was released on October 29,[8] but was then brought back on November 1.[9] After spending the entire 2021 season on the practice squad, Neuzil signed a future contract with Atlanta in January 2022.[10] He was waived at the final roster cuts again in , and was then brought back as a member of the practice squad.[11] Neuzil was elevated to the active roster for the Falcons' week nine game against the Los Angeles Chargers, and made his NFL debut in the 17–20 loss, appearing on four special teams snaps.[12][13] He was promoted to the active roster on November 22, 2022.[14]

On March 3, 2024, Neuzil signed a one–year contract extension with the Falcons.[15]

2025 season

On May 28, 2025, Neuzil signed a two-year, $9.5 million contract extension with the Falcons.[16]

Personal life

Neuzil's father Jeff played in the Kansas City Royals organization at the Triple-A level.[3]

References

  1. ^ "Ryan Neuzil". Appalachian State Mountaineers
  2. ^ "Braden River TE Ryan Neuzil headed to Appalachian St.". The Bradenton Herald. January 26, 2016. p. B2. – via Newspapers.com
  3. ^ Dill, Jason (December 22, 2017). "Pirates alumnus driving App State bowl run". The Bradenton Herald. p. B1, B4. – via Newspapers.com
  4. ^ Kohn, Ryan (February 3, 2021). "Can you feel a draft?". Your Observer
  5. ^ Taylor, Ian (May 3, 2021). "App sends two to NFL as Packers draft Jean-Charles, Neuzil signs with Falcons". Watauga Democrat
  6. ^ Brener, Jeremy (August 31, 2021). "Falcons 53-Man Roster: Did New QB Josh Rosen Make It?". Sports Illustrated
  7. ^ "Falcons Sign 15: Falcons Practice Squad Tracker". Sports Illustrated. September 1, 2021.
  8. ^ "Falcons Make 2 Roster Moves, Get A.J. Terrell Injury Update". Sports Illustrated. October 29, 2021.
  9. ^ "Ryan Neuzil Transactions & Injuries". SportsForecaster.com
  10. ^ Ledbetter, D. Orlando (January 10, 2022). "Falcons make first moves of the offseason, sign 17". Atlanta Journal-Constitution
  11. ^ Brener, Jeremy (August 31, 2022). "Falcons Name 12 to Practice Squad, Including Georgia Bulldogs Ex Justin Shaffer". Sports Illustrated
  12. ^ Flick, Daniel (November 5, 2022). "Falcons Place Starting LG Elijah Wilkinson on Injured Reserve". Sports Illustrated
  13. ^ "Ryan Neuzil Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com
  14. ^ McElhaney, Tori (November 22, 2022). "Falcons sign offensive lineman to 53-man roster, plus other roster moves announced". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  15. ^ Urben, Matt (March 3, 2024). "Falcons sign OL Ryan Neuzil to one-year extension, per report". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  16. ^ Waack, Terrin (May 29, 2025). "Falcons re-sign center Ryan Neuzil". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved 30 May 2025.