Reggie McNeal Was Lufkin’s ‘Superman’

He could run a 10.3 in the 100-meter dash, take on a linebacker and throw the perfect pass 50 yards downfield. These are just three reasons why many labeled former Lufkin quarterback Reggie McNeal as not just a superstar, but 'Superman.'

We've seen the likes of Earl Campbell, Adrian Peterson, Don Meredith, David Overstreet and so many other great players come through East Texas, but you would hard-pressed to find a more exciting player than Reggie McNeal.

High School

McNeal was the No. 1 quarterback recruit in the country coming into his senior season at Lufkin, fifth overall by Rivals.com. He was 6-foot-2, 210 pounds and made a 4.4-second 40 look easy.

He was the shining star for the 2001 Lufkin Panthers, guided by the recently passed John Outlaw.

McNeal guided Lufkin to a 9-1 record during the regular season, its only loss to nationally ranked powerhouse Shreveport (La.) Evangel -- a game that pitted McNeal against former USC quarterback John David Booty.

A regular season win over Tyler Lee showcased McNeal's true athleticism. In the Panthers' win, McNeal ran for a touchdown, passed for a touchdown and caught a touchdown.

All in a day's work.

But in the Class 5A Division II playoffs, McNeal showed why he was the best quarterback in Texas.

He rushed for 101 yards, passed for 204 and scored two touchdowns to rally Lufkin past Spring Westfield in the state quarterfinals.

McNeal rallied Lufkin again in the semifinals, but this time in true Superman fashion at Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium in Tyler. Euless Trinity raced out to a 20-0 lead at halftime and McNeal suffered an injury, but he stormed the Panthers back with a vengeance.

McNeal rushed for 181 yards, threw for 171 and accounted for all four Lufkin touchdowns. His touchdown run came from 56 yards out, but the story was McNeal carrying four defenders on his back the final six yards into the end zone.

He also came in on defense and recorded an interception in the end zone to seal Lufkin's heart-stopping victory.

And he did it all in a driving rain storm.

In the state championship game against Austin Westlake, in the midst of endless "Reggie! Reggie! Reggie!" chants at the Astrodome, McNeal put the finishing touches on his stellar career, racking up 380 total yards and four touchdowns to lead the Panthers to the title.

McNeal finished with 3,168 total yards and was responsible for 38 touchdowns as a senior.

After High School

One game at Texas A&M cemented McNeal into Aggie legend. Coming off the bench as a true freshman, McNeal threw four touchdown passes to lead the Aggies to a stunning 30-26 upset of No. 1 Oklahoma at Kyle Field.

McNeal would have a solid career at Texas A&M, despite playing for two different head coaches and three different offensive coordinators. He was a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award as a junior, a year he led the Aggies to the Cotton Bowl.

McNeal was drafted in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals as a wide receiver. He would soon be released from the NFL. McNeal has jumped around teams in the CFL, but is currently not playing.