McNeil Finds His Niche In College Football

Tim McNeil grabbed headlines as a Ledyard High running back, amassing over 3,000 yards in an outstanding career, culminating in a 2007 Class M state championship as a senior.

After his typical 100-yard plus, multiple touchdown game, McNeil was quick to credit his offensive line during post-game interviews, offering props to behind-the-scenes "grunts" (linemen) who made his stardom possible. McNeil never forgot that football was a team game. Perhaps in the back of his mind, he realized what was in store for his football future.

Today, McNeil is one of those behind-the-scene grunts who elude stat sheets and headlines, but provide an integral contribution to an offensive unit's success. The 5-foot-9, 210-pounder is listed as starting fullback on the two-way depth chart for Sacred Heart University, a Division I Football Championship (formerly Div. I-AA) program in Fairfield.

You might question why fullback is an unglorified position. McNeil isn't a lineman, wearing uniform number 39. But the fullback position isn't what it used to be when Jim Brown, Jim Taylor and Franco Harris led the NFL in rushing and scoring in the '60s. Fullback has evolved in many multiple and spread offenses into a "glorified guard" position. Blocking, blocking, blocking ... with a little blocking on the side.

It's that way at Sacred Heart, where McNeil carried three times and caught two passes .... for the entire season last year.

"The fullback doesn't touch the ball here," McNeil said. "We block, block some more and occasionally are included in the passing game as a check-off receiver."

That's not to say fullbacks are not appreciated. Former UConn fullback Anthony Sherman never scored a rushing touchdown in college, but he was the Arizona Cardinals 5th-round draft pick in April.

McNeil looks back on his Ledyard stardom and relishes the memories. But he also loves his current gig.

"I'm playing football at the Division I level and getting a great education," McNeil said. "I don't have any visions of playing pro ball. My days of piling up statistics and making post-season all-star teams are over. I can play tailback in a pinch, but I'm thrilled to be a starting fullback."

Compared to some college athletes, McNeil's physical attributes may not make stopwatches spin or demand NFL combine officials to furnish him with an all-expenses paid, roundtrip plane ticket. He's not the tallest, fastest or biggest, but he's got a special quality underneath his left pectoral muscle.

Current Ledyard coach Jim Buonocore selected McNeil to make the Connecticut All-Star Team when Buonocore was head coach for the Governors Cup in 2007. Buonocore had just accepted the Ledyard position after Bill Mignault's retirement.

"I took some heat from my assistants when I selected Tim to the team," Buonocore said. "But after the first practice, Tim let everyone know he was for real. I think he gained 100 yards on nine carries in the game. He is a very good football player, but even a better person. He comes from a good, hard-working family."

The hookup with Buonocore proved beneficial for McNeil, who was still seeking colleges after his graduation. McNeil suffered an injury early in his senior year which took him off some college recruiters' radars. Then there were questions about his size and speed.

But Buonocore used his connections with Sacred Heart assistant Mark Nofri, who scouts eastern Connecticut. The Pioneers had already benefitted from Buonocore sending former Fitch receiver Tony Patterson, who graduated last year as the No. 5 all-time leader in receptions, and Bobby Shepherd, a former Fitch All-State punter who is now SHU's starter there.

"I told him about Timmy and the rest is history," Buonocore said.

McNeil also used a connection with Greg Drab, owner and trainer with Advantage Personal Training in Mystic. For the last three summers, McNeil has trained with Drab and San Diego Chargers defensive lineman Jacques Cesaire, who spends summers here with his wife, a Fitch alumnae.

"In my first conditioning test at Sacred Heart, I flunked," McNeil said. "You have to run 16 100-yard dashes under 16 seconds. After training with Greg, I've passed it every time. I'm in the best shape of my life now."

McNeil is the headliner LHS alumnus playing college football now. Others include quarterback J.J. Jablonski, backup quarterback at Southern Connecticut, Nate Conway, kicking at Husson (Me.) College, Zeke Torres (Becker (Mass.) College), Shane Sullivan (Coast Guard), Marc Mignault (Central Connecticut), Chris Blomstedt (Carnegie Mellon, Pa.) and John Trudel and Nick Polonsky (Mass Maritime).

It is not an easy step from high school to college football. It's tough to stay on a team, considering the competition and academic demands, let alone land a starting position.

"I couldn't ask for a better situation," McNeil said. "Football has helped me get a college education, and I'm seeing a lot of action. It's worked out very well."