Former Wildcats WR/CB DaVonte’ Neal charged with 1st-degree murder

Former Arizona Wildcats and Chaparral High School wide receiver/cornerback DaVonte’ Neal has been charged with felony first-degree murder in Arizona, according to an indictment obtained by KTAR News.

For the incident that took place on Nov. 11, 2017, Neal is being charged in Maricopa County with one count of first-degree murder, a class one felony; one count of drive-by shooting, a class two felony; and one count of discharging a firearm at a structure, a class two felony.

Neal, 30, was arrested in Pocatello, Idaho, where he was employed at Idaho State University as an assistant coach on its football team, per the Idaho State Journal.

He was indicted on May 16.

Neal was a standout at Scottsdale’s Chaparral High School. He was ranked No. 57 by 247Sports among all 2012 football recruits and committed to Notre Dame. After one season, he transferred to Arizona.

Neal played wideout in 2014, his first season with the Wildcats, catching 12 passes for 133 yards. He switched to defensive back for his remaining two years, racking up 84 tackles and two interceptions across that time.

He went on to spend time in the Canadian Football League before joining the coaching ranks locally at Mesa’s Dobson High School and Gilbert’s Higley High School, per the East Valley Tribune.

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