Evan Neal is an offensive lineman at Alabama and what he can bring to the NFL. The time has been added. The constellation of stars that is the Alabama football program can be lost in a solar eclipse. It is near impossible for an offensive lineman to compete with five first-round NFL draft picks on offense, and one of the most fearsome pass-rushers in recent memory, who rivals Young as a potential. Now is the time for Evan Neal. The rise of the left tackle through the two schools considered America's foremost football factories is not surprising. He has accumulated the game tape, practice reps against other future pros and a résumé that has made him a consensus top 10 pick. Kyle Flood was Neal's position coach at Alabama for two seasons. You would be crazy not to take an offensive tackle at the top of the draft. He is going to be an All-Pro in that league over the course of 10 years. Neal made it look easy and he established a reputation of being safe, and no holes, as well as making it look easy. Neal wore glasses and drove a Dodge Ram around Alabama. He is expected to travel to his NFL destination with a serious demeanor, everyman mentality and no-maintenance reputation. Arkansas State coach Butch Jones, a former Alabama staffer, said that he would not get any drama with him. He is very matter of fact. There isn't much risk involved with taking him. He was a pro the day he arrived in Alabama. An aura of inevitability has been carried by the evolution to a sure thing. The sort of get-to-know-you gathering that happens all around the country each fall is what former IMG ACADEMY offensive line coach Shay held for his position group. Neal picked up a dead snake as he walked. The sight of a big man twirling a reptile is what sticks out to Shay and his wife. Shay said with a laugh that she was shocked. He has a little country in him. He is a good kid. The moment gave a glimpse into Neal's path, a nod to his family's roots in rural Okeechobee, Florida, a town with a population just under 6,000. Neal's humility, work ethic and focus were all shaped by growing up there. Neal had two uncles who played in the NFL, as well as his father, who was a linebacker at Tulane. Oregon coach Dan Lanning, who coached against Neal at Georgia, said that Neal is an enormous human being. McShay and Kiper have the same rank.
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Neal left the school as the 4th ranked player in the Class of 2019 after helping the school go 27-1 over three seasons. He showed the character that helped distinguish him in Tuscaloosa.
Neal filled in at guard for Robert Congel when he got injured as a sophomore.
Don Zoloty, the football properties manager of the company, said that Evan said, "Hey, listen, it's his spot." I am here to support him.
That gave us a good idea of what Evan would be like. He is a leader. Period.
He had to overcome one of the few speedbumps of adversity on his way to the NFL draft.
The training center for professional athletes is located on the 600-acre campus of the high school. Neal ran into Bryan Bulaga in the weight room. If your goal is to be a professional football player, you're going to have to get, that's what I saw from Neal, who is still holding onto too much baby fat.
Shay said that Neal was a bit rattled by the advice, as he had rocketed to stardom and become an elite recruit. Shay said the conversation became a turning point after some initial bristling.
Neal was on a team that had 10 players drafted into the NFL. He and Daniel Faalele will increase that number to 12. Nolan Smith is a top-20 NFL prospect and is one of the players Neal enjoyed his daily battles with.
Zoloty said that most college coaches were on the same page. You didn't want to mess it up.
He had never met Neal before he became Alabama's offensive line coach. Flood realized Neal would fulfill his potential quickly.
Flood told Neal that it would be difficult for him to get a starting tackle spot with Alex Leatherwood and Jedrick Wills Jr. returning.
Flood recalled Neal saying, "I don't care where I play, I just want to play."
Neal became the rare true freshman to start on the offensive line at Alabama, as he was 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 He wanted to have practice reps with veterans like Christian Barmore and Raekwon Davis.
Flood said that every kid nowadays thinks they are the next Anthony Munoz.
Neal started at left guard for Alabama in the national title season in 2020 and played the entire season at left tackle last year. On the final play of the national championship loss to Georgia, Neal allowed a sack.
Neal started 40 games in three seasons and allowed just 1.1 percent of pressures on his pass blocks.
He exemplifies the mold of an Alabama guy, everything that Coach Saban preaches about, and dedication and what it takes to be good. The guy has worked his butt off and is reaping the benefits.
Neal's 48 inch split leg box jump that popped up on social media last summer is perhaps more famous than any single play Neal made on the field at Alabama. It is simply outrageous for a human his size.
Always looking to one up myself! @MattRheaPhD @UA_CoachBallou pic.twitter.com/mEkce64Eqy
— Evan Neal (@ENeal73) July 12, 2021
Neal had a chiseled 337 pounds on his 6-foot-7 frame, and he looked like a sleek tight end at the combine. Neal arrived at Alabama around 400 and worked hard to become an elite prospect, according to Shay.
Neal is one of the better body types I have seen on the road, according to a second NFL scout who studied him. He is really, really impressive physically.
During the 2020 season, Neal missed one game because he said he contracted Covid-19. He was unable to practice the week of the SEC title game because he flew over on a private plane.
Neal was so focused on catching his breath in the SEC title game that Ekiyor had to repeat some line calls. He ran to the oxygen tank on the sideline.
They chuckled when he gasped for air and the oxygen mask looked like a bottle cap.
Flood and Ekiyor consider that one of Neal's best and most memorable performances, as Alabama scored 52 points and amassed 605 yards.
Neal's game is not flawless. Scouts question his aggressiveness, given his personality and playing style, and say things like, "You don't know if he plays hard because he makes it look easy."
Staying on his feet and sustaining blocks are some of the things that could be improved. Neal being relatively inexperienced is a sign that there is room for growth.
Flood has been singing his praises to the NFL, as he has an ability to bend at his size. He can block low to high and get underneath smaller people. He does that better than anyone.
Neal stood with full awareness of his place on the edge of Alabama lore on the interview dais at the NFL combine. If he goes No. 1 or No. 2, he will be the highest Alabama draft choice ever. John Robinson of USC was the most first-round offensive linemen for one coach in the common draft era.
He casually brushed away the idea that he has been overshadowed by his teammates.
He said that he was an offensive lineman and that it was all guts and no glory in the trenches. I am happy for all of those guys, happy for their success, and I am excited to share some of that with them.
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