CJ Neely, one of Greensboro Dudley High’s top wide receivers from last season, will be catching passes in the MEAC in 2025.
The senior announced recently he has committed to play football at Howard University. The Bison, who compete at the FCS level, won a share of the conference championship a year ago and played in the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta.
- READ MORE: North Carolina Class of 2025 prospects committed to in-state programs
- READ MORE: North Carolina Class of 2025 prospects committed to out-of-state programs
Neely caught 55 passes as a junior at Dudley, finishing with 1,164 yards and 15 touchdowns. His longest reception covered 78 yards. His season tally set a new Dudley school record.
The 6-1, 190-pounder, also a defensive back, collected his share of honors following the season. He was voted Mid-State 3A all-conference as well as all-area and all-state from media outlets, and the “Breakout Player of the Year” from Game-Of-Inches High School Sports, a statewide Web site.
Neely had a number of college suitors on his recruiting trail. He reported offers from Charlotte, East Carolina, North Carolina Central, Campbell and Gardner-Webb in-state, as well as Alabama A&M, Morgan State, Richmond, Maine, Bethune-Cookman, Georgia State, James Madison, Liberty and Temple out of state.
Neely was part of one of the most dynamic passing games in 3A football a year ago, helping Dudley to a 14-1 record. He joined two other receivers in the 1,000-yard receptions club: Liberty commit Nas Newkirk (51 catches, 1,123 yards, 16 TDs) and South Florida commit Koredell Bartley (59 catches, 1,013 yards, 11 TDs).
All three players were juniors in 2023 and are listed on Dudley’s 2024 roster (MaxPreps). The Panthers also had two 1,000-yard running backs (LJ Southern and Jayden Brown), who also will be back this season.
Dudley’s quarterback from 2023, Andrew Attmore II, joined Lenoir-Rhyne’s roster this summer. A fourth receiver, senior Jerron Blackwell, committed to Marshall as a defensive back.
