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When the Miami Dolphins nearly made it through the first month of the 2025 season without creating a takeaway on defense, the tone was set. By the end of the year, the Dolphins ranked in the middle of the pack in forced fumbles and interceptions and below average with a minus-four giveaway/takeaway ratio.
Which is about where Emmanuel McNeil-Warren may come in.
McNeil-Warren is a safety from Toledo and one of the 30 players the Dolphins could host for a pre-draft visit.
More Dolphins: Miami Dolphins RB De'Von Achane does not report to voluntary OTAs
Besides being rangy at 6-feet-3 1/2 with 32 1/8-inch arms, McNeil-Warren has another claim to fame. He has a knack for the “Peanut punch,” so named for ex-Chicago Bears defensive back Peanut Tillman, who made a career out of forcing fumbles by punching the ball out from the grasp of unsuspecting ballcarriers.
McNeil-Warren forced nine fumbles at Toledo this way to earn third-team All-America honors. He’s now considered a first-round prospect who could be in play for the Dolphins with the 30th overall pick, their second first-rounder of this draft.
The Dolphins need help at safety, especially with safeties who can help in run support the way McNeil-Warren can. He ranked second on the Rockets last season with 77 tackles, including 5.5 for loss, plus three forced fumbles and two interceptions.
McNeil-Warren is a Tampa native who reached this point thanks to a sacrifice by his mother, Sharona McNeil, who raised him until just before he entered high school. She wanted him to move to St. Petersburg to be with his father, Tarus Horne, an assistant coach at Lakewood High.
“At the time, I didn’t really like the idea,” McNeil-Warren told The Athletic. “We didn’t have that connection. But we got closer over time, with football and everything.”
That wasn’t the only adjustment.
McNeil-Warren began as a receiver, which made all the more sense because Horne was the team’s offensive coordinator. When the team needed help at safety, it all clicked.
One day, Toledo coach Jason Candle visited the school to scout another player when McNeil-Warren caught his eye. Again, things clicked.
Eventually, bigger schools including Miami offered him scholarships. After he missed much of his senior season because of injuries, some of the schools reconsidered.
Toledo did not, and he repaid the school, sticking with the Rockets even in this NIL era.
“They gave me an opportunity, and I appreciate them for that,” McNeil-Warren said.
Soon, an NFL team also will give him an opportunity. Will it be Miami?
He’s 6-3 1/2, 201, with 32 1/8-inch arms (longer than most safety prospects).
35.5 inches on the vertical.
He ran the 40 in 4.52.
He grew up in Tampa but attended Lakewood High in St. Petersburg.
Besides Toledo, The Athletic reported that Indiana, Kansas State, Miami and Maryland showed interest.
He made third-team All-America and first-team All-MAC with three forced fumbles in 13 games. He had 77 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and five pass break-ups.
Yes, most notably defensive back Curtis Johnson, a fourth-round pick in 1970 who played on the Super Bowl teams. Also: Greg Mancz, a center in 2021. They drafted running back Jalen Parmele in the sixth round in 2008, who went on to play for Baltimore, Jacksonville and Arizona.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: NFL Draft 2026: Toledo safety might land with Miami Dolphins
Continue reading...
Which is about where Emmanuel McNeil-Warren may come in.
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McNeil-Warren is a safety from Toledo and one of the 30 players the Dolphins could host for a pre-draft visit.
More Dolphins: Miami Dolphins RB De'Von Achane does not report to voluntary OTAs
Besides being rangy at 6-feet-3 1/2 with 32 1/8-inch arms, McNeil-Warren has another claim to fame. He has a knack for the “Peanut punch,” so named for ex-Chicago Bears defensive back Peanut Tillman, who made a career out of forcing fumbles by punching the ball out from the grasp of unsuspecting ballcarriers.
McNeil-Warren forced nine fumbles at Toledo this way to earn third-team All-America honors. He’s now considered a first-round prospect who could be in play for the Dolphins with the 30th overall pick, their second first-rounder of this draft.
The Dolphins need help at safety, especially with safeties who can help in run support the way McNeil-Warren can. He ranked second on the Rockets last season with 77 tackles, including 5.5 for loss, plus three forced fumbles and two interceptions.
McNeil-Warren is a Tampa native who reached this point thanks to a sacrifice by his mother, Sharona McNeil, who raised him until just before he entered high school. She wanted him to move to St. Petersburg to be with his father, Tarus Horne, an assistant coach at Lakewood High.
“At the time, I didn’t really like the idea,” McNeil-Warren told The Athletic. “We didn’t have that connection. But we got closer over time, with football and everything.”
That wasn’t the only adjustment.
McNeil-Warren began as a receiver, which made all the more sense because Horne was the team’s offensive coordinator. When the team needed help at safety, it all clicked.
One day, Toledo coach Jason Candle visited the school to scout another player when McNeil-Warren caught his eye. Again, things clicked.
Eventually, bigger schools including Miami offered him scholarships. After he missed much of his senior season because of injuries, some of the schools reconsidered.
Toledo did not, and he repaid the school, sticking with the Rockets even in this NIL era.
“They gave me an opportunity, and I appreciate them for that,” McNeil-Warren said.
Soon, an NFL team also will give him an opportunity. Will it be Miami?
You must be registered for see images attach
How big is Emmanuel McNeil-Warren?
He’s 6-3 1/2, 201, with 32 1/8-inch arms (longer than most safety prospects).
How high can McNeil-Warren leap?
35.5 inches on the vertical.
How quick is McNeil-Warren?
He ran the 40 in 4.52.
Where is Emmanuel McNeil-Warren from?
He grew up in Tampa but attended Lakewood High in St. Petersburg.
Which schools recruited Emmanuel McNeil-Warren?
Besides Toledo, The Athletic reported that Indiana, Kansas State, Miami and Maryland showed interest.
How did Emmanuel McNeil-Warren perform last season?
He made third-team All-America and first-team All-MAC with three forced fumbles in 13 games. He had 77 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and five pass break-ups.
Have the Miami Dolphins ever had a player from Toledo?
Yes, most notably defensive back Curtis Johnson, a fourth-round pick in 1970 who played on the Super Bowl teams. Also: Greg Mancz, a center in 2021. They drafted running back Jalen Parmele in the sixth round in 2008, who went on to play for Baltimore, Jacksonville and Arizona.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: NFL Draft 2026: Toledo safety might land with Miami Dolphins
Continue reading...
