Tyler Neville ’24 was always destined for greatness as a football player. Though the former Harvard football standout went undrafted, he was signed to the Dallas Cowboys and will prepare to fight for a roster spot in the fall. For Neville, however, the destination was never the sole focus — it was the journey, the unforeseen obstacles, and the perseverance that truly defined his path to the NFL.

When one thinks about an athlete forced to become obsessed with the process, Tyler Neville is the player that stands out. Born deaf and later diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma as a freshman in high school, he endured over 20 surgeries before turning 18. These early battles fueled his drive and determination to become the toughest, most relentless player that he could be on the field.

“Sports was my way out, the light at the end of the tunnel,” Neville said.

Neville was sidelined for the first two years of his high school career. Cleared to play in his junior season, he faced a steep uphill climb to achieve his dreams of playing college football. Undeterred, Neville did not disappoint, racking up remarkable numbers in his junior season to gain interest form FCS and FBS schools. That summer, he committed to Harvard and proceeded to add 40 pounds of muscle in preparation for a breakout senior year. His recruitment would continue to skyrocket even despite his commitment to the Crimson, but Neville remained loyal to attend.

Upon arriving in Cambridge, the tight end encountered yet another obstacle: the uprising of COVID-19 that canceled his first season. Despite the loss of one college football season, he stayed prepared and focused to make an impact on the Harvard football community the moment he received the chance to step on the field. Though Harvard is not traditionally known as a football powerhouse, Neville saw an opportunity in the program’s track record. Five Harvard tight ends had reached the NFL before him.

“In my mind, Harvard was prestigious in terms of football,” Neville said. His dreams were still achievable.

During his time with the Crimson, the 248 pound, six-foot-four tight end caught 62 passes for 698 yards and eight touchdowns, capturing two First Team All-Ivy selections and helping lead Harvard to two Ivy League championships.

After graduating, Neville used his remaining year of eligibility to pursue a 5th year and continue to fight for his dream of playing in the NFL. After receiving attention from multiple notable programs, he settled on the University of Virginia.

With the Cavaliers, Neville produced immediately as he caught 37 receptions for 394 yards, two touchdowns and eclipsed the 1,000-yard career receiving mark. Although team success at Virginia did not mirror his Ivy League championships, Neville embraced the adversity as moments for growth, crediting his teammates for their resilience.

“Everyone kept pushing, even when the chips were down,” he explained. These moments reflected who he desired to be as a teammate and player for the next level.

At the conclusion of the season, Neville shifted his focus to the grueling NFL draft process. Since Neville’s projections varied, there was a level of uncertainty to be dealt with. His approach was to simply remain grounded and recenter around the process of getting better.

Neville trained rigorously Athelite Performance in Nashville, a center dedicated to developing players who persevere through adversity with discipline, commitment, and self confidence. For four months, Neville’s daily schedule was relentless: morning lifts, afternoon conditioning, football-specific drills, and recovery work. This lifestyle reinforced both his physical capabilities and his mental toughness.

Neville is confident in his profile for the NFL as a well rounded tight end and takes pride in his versatility because not everyone can do everything. The former Crimson standout feels comfortable heading into the league knowing that he can be placed into any situation and succeed.

“I’m a good enough football player and I’m confident enough in my abilities to perform,” Neville said.

The rookie is eager to bring his work ethic, leadership, and resilience to Dallas. Despite some losses in life and football, he keeps pushing and remains level headed for the next set of challenges.

As he steps into the world of professional football, Neville hopes to spotlight the quality of the Ivy League, saying, “I want to bring more awareness to how good football is in the Ivy League.”

More importantly, he carries forward the lessons instilled by Harvard Head Coach Tim Murphy: “I want to be a good teammate and leader on and off the field.”

– Staff Writer Chandler Piggé can be reached at [email protected]