Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is among the most intriguing defensive back prospects in college football. NFL scouts have flocked to the MAC to watch McNeil-Warren perform this fall. The big-bodied, athletic safety hasn't disappointed, registering 50 tackles, three fumbles forced, and two fumbles recovered through eight contests.
McNeil-Warren recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network. McNeil-Warren discussed his athleticism, his favorite aspects of playing safety, man and zone coverage, what he learned from Quinyon Mitchell, and why he's stayed loyal to Toledo for four seasons.
JM: I’ve had a lot of fun watching you on tape lately. You possess rare size at about 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds. What are some of the ways you use those physical traits to your advantage on the field?
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren: I try to be a three-level playmaker. Size and physicality definitely help me achieve that goal. I have great range on the back end. I also like coming downhill. I can play everywhere.
JM: You can see it on film. You’ve played a lot on the boundary for this Toledo defense as well. You can play man coverage. Talk to me about the versatile role you play for this defense. You're not just a traditional safety.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren: I want to play everywhere. I don’t ever want to feel like there’s a defensive responsibility I can’t handle. I challenged myself to learn every position in the secondary. I can play in coverage, or the deep-middle [of the field]. I can also creep downhill and make a tackle.
I’m a versatile safety. I love playing that role that allows me to roam the field freely. I can look to make plays by playing off the quarterback’s eyes.
Another year, another draftable secondary player from #Toledo. Safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren has excellent ball production (3 INTS, 10 PBUs, 5 FFs over last 2 years). Limited to 8 games in 2024 because of injury.
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) August 19, 2025
Run support, short-area coverage ability, good instincts & rangy. pic.twitter.com/Imdjvb0nN6
JM: Speaking of making plays, your ball skills stand out on tape. You have four career interceptions, eight forced fumbles, and a bunch of pass breakups as well. How did you develop that area of your game?
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren: I play with a lot of energy. I’m always going to flock to the football. You can find me where the ball is. I play fast to the ball. I’m always trying to get it out and create a turnover.
JM: Eight forced fumbles is crazy. That can’t be a coincidence.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren: When I see the ball, I always feel like I can get it out and force a turnover. I love going for the punch by trying to jar it loose. I can still secure the tackle while trying to force that ball loose. If I can’t recover the fumble because I’m making the tackle, I know my teammates are going to recover it. It’s just a natural habit of mine.
Toledo SAF Emmanuel McNeil-Warren #7 is one of the best players in College Football through two weeks. I love his willingness in run support and how he reads the play out. His eyes are fantastic pic.twitter.com/GXJpgucIJe
— Daniel Harms (@InHarmsWay19) September 9, 2025
JM: It’s obvious on film. In an era where NIL and the transfer portal are motivating college football athletes, you're in your fourth season at Toledo. What has kept you loyal to the program?
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren: Coming out of high school, I had bigger offers than Toledo. That’s just the truth. Toledo was first to offer me, though. A bunch of offers started rolling in. Once I got hurt in my final year [high school], a lot of those offers dried up.
Toledo stayed true. They never pulled their offer. They stayed in contact with me when I was rehabbing. When I came here for a visit, I just felt embraced by the entire community. I love it here. They showed love. This community is a special place.
I adapted to Toledo. Ever since then, it’s been a loving brotherhood.
I wrote about Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren at @WCGridiron today. He’s my top G5 prospect in the 2026 draft.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) October 18, 2025
Big, lengthy safety who has the physicality and instincts that NFL coaches will love. Great straight-line athlete, too. Versatile DB. pic.twitter.com/cYBv7cZeQY
JM: We love to hear that. Quinyon Mitchell was one of your early teammates. What did you learn from watching how he goes about his business? You would have been a younger guy in that room.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren: Being a young guy who was trying to find his way, I learned a lot from watching Quinyon Mitchell. Maxen Hook was another guy. All of those older players in front of us, they set an example.
Watching how they approached the game, took care of their body, their practice, and workout habits, it was all beneficial. Watching them made me want to strive for better. I wanted to reach the same heights they did. I still feel that way today.
They made it easier for the young guys to acclimate. We followed the example.
JM: Quinyon Mitchell also proved you could get drafted in the first round coming out of Toledo if you do things the right way.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren: I saw the hard work and dedication that went into that. Quinyon Mitchell came in early and was the last one to leave. He stayed after practice to get extra work in. His hard work paid off in the end.
It taught me to stay dedicated and humble. That’s how I saw it.
JM: This has been outstanding, Emmanuel. I've appreciated your time today. What are your goals for the remainder of this season?
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren: We want to win every single game left on our schedule. We want to look back and say we enjoyed this season together. We’re having fun playing football. We’re going to keep playing with intensity.