2012: Redshirt senior ... Missed first two games of 2012 due to injury before returning to earn the starting spot at right guard ... Made 16 career starts ... Helped NU post fourth-best rushing average in the Big Ten for the year (225.6) ... Academic All-Big Ten.
2011: Saw time in eight games as a reserve offensive lineman and on special teams.
2010: Played in all 13 games as a reserve on the offensive line.
2009: Recipient of team's NGN Newcomer Award (offensive player honoree) ... Played in all 13 games, starting final seven contests at right tackle.
2008: Did not see action.
High School: SuperPrep All-Midwest and PrepStar All-Midwest Region offensive lineman ... Ranked 31st among all players (sixth among offensive tackles) in SuperPrep Illinois player ranking ... Ranked 36th-best offensive tackle nationally by ESPN/Scouts, Inc. ... Chicago Tribune second-team All-State selection ... Two-time (2006-07) Daily Herald All-Area and All-West Suburban Silver Conference selection ... 2007 West Suburban Silver Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year ... Two-time academic all-state and all-conference selection ... Selected to play in 2007-08 Offense-Defense All-American Bowl ... Helped the Dukes rush for 2,553 yards his senior season and score 39 touchdowns ... Team captain ... Also lettered in track and basketball and played one year of baseball ... Placed first in the shot put at the 2008 indoor conference meet and 2008 sectional outdoor meet ... Qualified for state track meet in the shot put (first and only year on York's track team) ... Four-year Honor Roll member ... School's mathematics honor society ... Coached by Bill Lech.
Personal: Born Neal Patrick Deiters ... Son of Rich and Kelly Deiters ... Played against current NU players Jack DiNardo (Hinsdale Central) and Kevin Watt (Glenbard West) ... Psychology major and business institutions minor.
The Deiters File
Q: Name five favorite songs (and artist) on your I-Pod:
A: 1. My Madonna (Dexter Freebish) 2. Boondocks (Little Big Town) 3. Be like That (3 Doors Down) 4. Here it Goes Again (O.K. Go) 5. Inside Out (Eve 6)
Q: If you could dine with anyone from any period in history, who would it be?
A: Muhammad Ali - Just to see what he was like, what his mindset was before fights?
Q: What is the greatest lesson in life that you have learned?
A: You can do anything you want but you have to have an indomitable will within you in order to do it.
Q: A song that best describes you?
A: This is Home by Switchfoot
Q: Something people would be surprised to know about me is:
A: I enjoy watching the show "So You Think You Can Dance" on TV. It's fun to watch and very entertaining.
Q: My favorite place to visit is:
A: My Grandparents lake house on Lake Geneva in Wisconsin.
Q: Facebook or Twitter?
A: Facebook
Q: Which current NU football player is the biggest jokester on the team?
A: Mike Boyle
Q: My favorite thing about NU is:
A: The proximity to the lake!
Q: Best part about being a Northwestern football player is:
A: The best part about being a Northwestern football player is being a part of a team that lives and dies together, day in and day out. Brothers at Arms. We really become a family and learn to depend on one another for everything and anything.
Q: Describe Coach Fitzgerald in five words or less:
A: Enthusiastic, Great, Character, Positive, Driven
Q: Describe your position coach in five words or less:
A: Outstanding, Trustworthy, Respectful, Caring, Tough
Q: Most humbling experience:
A: A lady approached my Mom, and said your Neal Deiters Mom right? And my mother agreed, then the lady continued to say, "Neal told my son to keep going when he was having some trouble doing some wind sprints as a freshman, and he did! Now whenever he's having a hard time he thinks of Neal and what he said to him that day" My Mom started crying, but I was truly humbled when she told this story. One simple act of kindness can change someone else's whole world.
Q: What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
A: Receiving a college football scholarship out of high school.
Q: The best book I have ever read is:
A: Holes by Louis Sacher
Q: The person that inspires me the most is:
A: My Dad
Q: When I played football as a kid, I pretended to be:
A: John Tait, the left tackle on the Bears who I grew up watching.
Q: My favorite pregame ritual is:
A: Honestly do not have one, It's a lot of focus and attitude at that point.
Q: If you could have a starring role in any film already made, which movie would you pick?
A: October Sky - Homer Hickam
Q: My favorite food is:
A: Pizza
Q: My favorite thing about playing at Ryan Field is:
A: The grass field, I'm not a big fan of turf.
Q: Best thing about Northwestern is:
A: Knowing your education and your football experience are second to none.
Q: My ultimate SportsCenter highlight would be:
A: My 10 plus pancakes senior year, against our conference rival Lyons Township during our homecoming game.
Q: My favorite television show is:
A: Entourage
Q: If I were not playing football, I would be:
A: Playing golf, and basketball religiously.
Q: The three words that best describe me:
A: Character, Attitude, and Trust
Q: My football-related superstition is:
A: Nothing - Just play!
| PARTICIPATION | ||
| Season | Games | Other Statistics |
| 2009 | 13 | No Other Statistics |
| 2010 | 13 | No Other Statistics |
| 2011 | 8 | No Other Statistics |
| Career | 34 | No Other Statistics |