Just a week or so after announcing that head coach Cory Ross would return to lead the Quad City Steamwheelers, Ross has announced that he will be reunited with his quarterback.
The Quad City Indoor Football League franchise announced this week that Daquan Neal will be back to lead the on-field charge for the Steamwheelers in the 2026 season.
“For me, this is exciting,” said Ross in a team-issued press release. “It’s been a while since I’ve had a quarterback return for a second season in this system. That’s when things can get truly special. After the way he handled his first year, the sky is the limit for what he can accomplish in 2026.”
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Neal, a former IFL MVP and one of the most decorated quarterbacks in league history, previously played for the Iowa Barnstormers, Tucson Sugar Skulls, Vegas Knight Hawks, and Bay Area Panthers. His resume includes multiple All-IFL selections, Player of the Week honors, and an NFL mini-camp invite with the Indianapolis Colts.
Neal led the Wheelers to this year’s Eastern Conference regular-season title and a spot in the Eastern Conference playoff championship game. While QC’s bid for a trip to the IFL championship game fell short, QC had its best record in its IFL run, finishing 12-6.
The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder finished sixth in the league in rushing this past season with 725 yards on 138 carries with a long of 48 yards. With 23 of those runs ending in scores, he finished tied for sixth in the league in rushing touchdowns. He also tied for second in yards per carry (minimum of 100 carries), averaging 5.3 yards per attempt.
He was second in passing efficiency (179.3), completing 166 of 270 passes for 2,154 yards and 47 touchdowns, which tied for fourth most in the IFL.
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TJ Johnston
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