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Mattie has raised him as a single mother since his eighth birthday and McNeal honors her by wearing her name tattooed on his right arm.

“She’s kind of been my strength. She gives me the will power to do what I do,” he said.

Just 18 credits from a sociology degree, several members of McNeal’s family pushed him to stay in school. However, following a strong performance against heavily-favored Nevada when he chalked up 116 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns in the Hawaii Bowl, he decided that would be his last game as a college player.

He wanted to help take care of his mother, who’s had seven surgeries, and chase his dream of becoming an NFL running back.