Gators Neal, Poole are Super Bowl Bound
Sunday, January 22, 2017 | Football
Former UF standouts Keanu Neal and Brian Poole to play in Super Bowl LI with Atlanta.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Atlanta Falcons defeated the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, which means former Gators Keanu Neal and Brian Poole will play in Super Bowl LI on Feb. 5 in Houston, Texas.
Florida has had a former player on a Super Bowl roster for 15 straight years, dating back to the 2003 season when offensive linemen Kenyatta Walker and Lomas Brown helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat Mo Collins and the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII.
Neal, who played and started in 14 games during the regular season, recorded 106 tackles and five forced fumbles which both rank second on the team. In addition, Neal tallied nine pass deflections. Meanwhile, Poole played in all 16 games this season and started nine of them. The undrafted rookie totaled 59 tackles, 10 pass deflections, one sack and one interception during the regular season.
In the playoffs, these two continued to make their mark.
During Sunday's win against the Packers, Poole and Neal were the Falcons' two leading tacklers with seven and six each, respectively.
Both NFL rookies received high praise on social media throughout the NFC Championship for their outstanding play.
Here's a hit Poole put on Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rogers in the first half of Sunday's game.
Brian Poole #HitStick ??#GBvsATL pic.twitter.com/lHJWpHhs7q
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) January 22, 2017
Meanwhile former NFL general manager and current ESPN analyst Louis Riddick said this about Neal.
Every time K. Neal puts his pads on a ball carrier/receiver, it is 50/50 if that player needs to go to the sideline & regroup. So physical.
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) January 22, 2017
Last week against the Seahawks in the Divisional Round, Neal led Atlanta with 11 tackles, while Poole had four stops and a strong hit (see below) on Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson.
Not today! #GatorMade ???? https://t.co/0e6TtxpaLS
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) January 15, 2017
In addition, Atlanta head coach Dan Quinn, Florida's defensive coordinator and defensive line coach in 2011 and 2012, joins Mike Shanahan as the only UF coaches to lead a team to the Super Bowl.
The Falcons face New England in the Super Bowl. The Patriots defeated the Steelers in the AFC Championship, spoiling former Gators Maurkice Pouncey and Marcus Gilbert's bid to play in Super Bowl LI.
Florida Football | Interim Head Coach Billy Gonzales Media Availability | Ole Miss
Thursday, November 13
Billy Gonzales Media Availability 11-12-25
Wednesday, November 12
Gator Insider presented by Talon Wealth 11-11-25
Tuesday, November 11
Gator Insider presented by Talon Wealth (November 11, 2025)
Tuesday, November 11
