Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM

Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

• 6-7, 350
• 40 time: 5.24
• Okeechobee, Fla. (IMG Academy)
• School Profile
• Twitter: @ENeal73
• Projection: First Round

OVERVIEW

Top recruits don’t always have a linear path from Fridays to Sundays, but Neal left no doubt with how he handled Saturdays.

The five-star offensive tackle recruit arrived in Tuscaloosa at a whopping 360 pounds and took over the starting left guard job as a true freshman. He earned freshman all-American honors in 2019 and seemed like a lock for going in the top 10 of the 2022 draft by the end of his sophomore year.

Neal was named a team captain heading into his junior year, and the newly minted left tackle didn’t disappoint with his showing. He was named a first team all-American for his 2021 output and declared for the draft as a true junior.

He leaves Alabama with 40 total starts split across left guard, right tackle, and left tackle.

ANALYSIS

Strengths

• Absurd combination of size, length, and strength.
• Very stiff punch in pass protection will stop defenders in their spot.
• Great connection and coordination with his hands and feet in pass sets.
• Fluid combo blocker who is very easy in transition.
• Size allows him to anchor with ease against almost any opponent.
• Power was overwhelming for most SEC defenders.
• Accuracy and quickness with his hands is impressive for a big man.
• Able to swivel his hips and hit difficult angles.
• Won’t overextend with his upper half as a pass blocker.
• Knows nobody is going through him and uses that to his advantage.
• Played guard as a true freshman and has it under his belt.

Weaknesses

• Too easily thrown off balance and taken out by a good push-pull move.
• A tick slow with recognizing and passing off stunts.
• Slacks off at times with his footwork and lets his size make up the difference.
• Struggles to recover with quickness if he gets beat around the edge off the snap. Balance on the move has concerning lapses.
• Doesn’t create movement in the run game like his size suggests he should.

PRO COMPARISON

Bryant McKinnie, Retired: Neal’s absurd physical proportions and athleticism make him a clear cut first rounder and likely one of the top players off the board. If he plays to his potential, he could be a franchise left tackle and one of the better players in the league.

Even if he falls short of that high bar, he should still end up as a long-term starter.

Always looking to one up myself! @MattRheaPhD @UA_CoachBallou pic.twitter.com/mEkce64Eqy

— Evan Neal (@ENeal73) July 12, 2021

2021 SEASON

• tackle in the country by 247Sports.
• the No. 4 player in the ESPN300.
• rated as the No. 2 offensive tackle and second-ranked player in Florida by ESPN.com.
• selected to play in the Under Armour All-America Game.
• the anchor of the offensive line at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla..
• coached by Kevin Wright at 2021
• Selected as one of Alabama’s permanent team captains for the 2021 campaign.
• a consensus first team All-American by the AFCA, FWAA, The Sporting News and Walter Camp.
• also picked up first-team honors from CBS Sports, ESPN.com and USA Today.
• selected as a second team All-American by the Associated Press.
• veteran of 40 starts over three years and three positions along the Alabama offensive line, starting 13 games at left guard in 2019, 12
• games at right tackle in 2020 and 15 games at left tackle in 2021.
• anchored an Alabama offensive front that is opened holes and provided time for the nation’s No. 6 scoring offense (39.9 ppg), No. 7
• passing offense (338.2 ypg) and pass efficiency offense (166.5), the No. 3 unit in third-down conversion percentage (52.0) and the No. 5
• red zone offense (.926).
• accounted for a team-high 34 knockdown blocks.
• played 1,200 snaps over 15 games.
• named a semifinalist for the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award.
• earned midseason All-America honors from the AP, TSN and CBS Sports.
• picked up preseason first team All-America honors from the AP, TSN and Walter Camp.
• also tabbed as a second team selection by Pro Football Focus.
• earned offensive player of the week honors from the Alabama coaching staff after the Tide’s win over Mercer, Ole Miss, Tennessee, New
• Mexico State, Arkansas and Cincinnati while the entire offensive line earned garnered the honor after the SEC Championship Game
• against Georgia. Miami: Anchored the left side of the Crimson Tide offensive front, making his first start at left tackle at Alabama.
• helped the Tide account for 501 yards of total offense, including 354 yards through the air.
• did not allow a sack and had a team-high four knockdown blocks.
• provided time for quarterback Bryce Young to throw for 344 yards and four touchdowns in his Alabama debut. Mercer: Opened holes
• for the Tide to rush for 158 yards and pass for 266.
• did not allow a sack and recorded a team-best four knockdown blocks.
• allowed Young time to complete 19-of-27 passes with three going for touchdowns. Florida: Played all 72 snaps at left tackle.
• did not allow a sack and provided time for Young to throw for 240 yards and three touchdowns. Southern Miss: Blocked for a season-
• high to date 606 yards of total offense.
• opened holes for 211 rushing yards and 395 passing yards.
• provided time for the Tide to complete 23-of-26 passes and record six touchdowns.
• did not allow a sack or a pressure and had one knockdown block. Ole Miss: Part of a line that was awarded offensive player of the week
• accolades as a group against the Rebels.
• started and played 76 snaps at left tackle.
• did not allow a sack and registered a team-high four knockdown blocks.
• did not allow a hit on the quarterback but was credited with a pressure.
• helped the Tide roll up 210 rushing yards as Brian Robinson Jr. accumulated 171 yards and four touchdowns on 36 carries.
• blocked for 451 yards of total offense as the Tide possessed the ball for 38 minutes in the game. Texas A&M: Helped the Crimson Tide
• churn out 522 yards of total offense and score 38 points in defeat.
• had two knockdown blocks and helped Robinson Jr. record his second straight 100-yard rushing game with 147 yards on 6.1 yards per
• carry.
• allowed one sack as the Crimson Tide threw for 369 yards and three touchdowns. Mississippi State: Provided time for Young to throw
• for 349 yards and four touchdowns in a 49-9 win in Starkville.
• cleared a path for 195 rushing yards as the Tide accounted for 544 yards of total offense. Tennessee: Played 92 snaps as the Crimson
• Tide rolled up 574 yards of total offense with 203 yards rushing and 371 yards through the air against the Vols.
• had one knockdown block.
• did not allow a sack on 43 dropback passes.
• opened holes for Robinson Jr. to rush for 107 yards and three touchdowns.
• the Tide finished with five rushing touchdowns while averaging 6.2 yards per play. LSU: Started at left tackle and played 66 snaps
• against the Tigers.
• did not allow a sack and had one knockdown block. New Mexico State: Played the first half and one drive of the second in a 59-3 win
• over the Aggies.
• had a team-high three knockdown blocks of the Tide’s 15 rush attempts while he was in the game.
• opened holes for 247 rushing yards.
• did not allow a sack, hurry or a quarterback hit as the Tide racked up 340 passing yards.
• UA scored five touchdowns through the air and three more on the ground.
• Robinson Jr. finished the game with 99 rushing yards and another 36 receiving yards on five catches. Arkansas: Put together a
• dominant performance against the Hogs.
• blocked for 671 yards of total offense.
• did not allow a sack or a pressure on 40 pass attempts.
• matched his season high with six knockdown blocks. Auburn: Registered four knockdown blocks and did not allow a sack.
• helped the Tide account for 308 yards and 24 points on the final five drives of the game and overtime.
• blocked for 317 passing yards by Young at quarterback and 71 rushing yards for Robinson on the ground. Georgia: Neal’s leadership
• throughout the week was an important factor in the Tide’s play along the offensive front against the Bulldogs.
• helped open holes for 536 yards of total offense against the nation’s top-ranked defense, including 421 passing yards and 115 yards on
• the ground with 4.4 yards per carry.
• had two knockdown blocks.
• did not allow a sack or a pressure as Young threw for three touchdowns and ran for another while an injured Robinson Jr. battled for
• 55 yards on the ground. Cincinnati: Was nearly perfect on all assignments in the Crimson Tide’s domination of the Bearcats up front.
• helped open holes for the Tide’s season-high 301 rushing yards.
• provided time for Young to throw for 181 yards on 17-of-28 passing and three touchdowns.
• UA finished with 482 yards of total offense while holding the ball for 33:41 and converting on 5-of-13 third-down chances.
• did not allow a sack and just one quarterback hit and half of a pressure. Georgia: Blocked for 399 yards of total offense against the
• Bulldogs.
• provided time for Young to throw for 369 yards and a touchdown.
• opened holes for 68 rushing yards for Robinson Jr..
• allowed a sack, two pressures and a quarterback hit.
• had one knockdown block and did not commit a penalty.

2020 SEASON

• Physical lineman who started at his second position – right tackle – in as many seasons with the Crimson Tide.
• earned Freshman All-America recognition a season ago.
• has 26 career starts, including 13 at right tackle in 2020 and 13 at left guard in 2019.
• helped anchor the right side of the Alabama offensive line that blocked for the Power 5’s No. 1 scoring offense (48.5 ppg), No. 1 pass
• efficiency offense (198.9), No. 2 passing offense (358.2 ypg), No. 2 total offense (541.6 ypg) and No. 23 rushing attack (183.5 ypg).
• the Alabama front surrendered just 11 sacks while quarterback Mac Jones was on the field (.85 per game, eighth nationally) and just 19
• for the season on 459 dropbacks to rank 25th nationally (1.46 sacks per game among teams who played more than six games).
• led an offensive front that opened holes for a 5.0 yards per carry average with 78 runs of 10 or more yards, which was among the
• national leaders.
• the Tide scored 37 rushing touchdowns in 13 games to lead the nation.
• played 810 snaps during the 2020 season with just six missed assignments and three penalties.
• was credited with 1.5 sacks allowed by the Alabama coaches while surrendering just four quarterback hurries and three pressures.
• selected as one of the Crimson Tide coaching staff’s offensive players of the week for his play against Mississippi State. Missouri:
• Opened holes for 98 yards on 17 carries for running back Najee Harris in the 38-19 win at Missouri while providing time for Jones to
• complete 18-of-24 passes for 249 yards and two scores.
• did not allow a sack or a pressure. Texas A&M: Played 57 snaps against the Aggies while providing time for Jones to throw for 435
• yards and four touchdowns.
• cleared a path for Alabama running backs to average just under five yards per rush. Ole Miss: Helped clear a path for the second most
• yards of total offense (723 yards) in school history.
• opened holes for 306 rushing yards.
• did not allow a sack or a pressure as Jones posted a 220.34 passer rating while throwing for 417 yards and two scores and Harris
• rushed for a school-record five touchdowns and a career-high 206 rushing yards while averaging 9.0 yards per carry. Georgia: Helped
• open holes for 564 yards of total offense and 41 points against the nation’s top-ranked defense.
• helped Harris eclipse the 150-yard rushing mark for the second straight week with 152 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries.
• it was the first rushing score allowed by the Bulldogs this year.
• did not allow a sack as Jones completed 75 percent of his passes for 417 yards and four touchdowns. Tennessee: Started at right tackle
• and played 60 snaps.
• helped Alabama roll up 587 yards of total offense, including 417 yards in the air and 170 yards on the ground.
• the Tide averaged 7.7 yards per play and 4.2 yards per rush while accounting for 30 first downs.
• did not allow a sack or a pressure. Mississippi State: Helped open holes for 208 yards on the ground while the Tide threw for 291 yards
• and four touchdowns.
• helped the Tide average 6.8 yards per play and 5.2 yards per rush on 71 snaps at right tackle.
• Harris ran for 119 yards on 21 carries (5.7 ypc) while Trey Sanders added 80 yards on 12 attempts.
• kept the quarterback clean by not allowing a sack, quarterback hurry or pressure on 33 dropbacks.
• selected as an offensive player of the week by the Alabama coaches for his efforts against the Bulldogs. Kentucky: Started and played 59
• snaps in a 60-point win against the Wildcats.
• did not allow a sack or a hurry while being credited with one pressure.
• provided time for Jones to throw for 202 yards and two touchdowns in the first half when the game was still in doubt.
• the Crimson Tide rushed for the second-most yards this season, amassing 226 yard on 40 carries and five touchdowns. Auburn: Started
• at right tackle and played 53 snaps in a 42-13 win in the Iron Bowl.
• blocked for 445 yards of total offense, including 302 through the air and 143 on the ground.
• opened holes for 96 rushing yards and a score from Harris.
• did not allow a sack or a hurry as Jones threw for five touchdowns on 18 completions. LSU: Did not allow a sack or a hurry in 67 snaps
• at LSU as the Tide rolled up 650 yards of total offense with 55 points, including 45 in the first half.
• did not commit a penalty or miss an assignment.
• cleared a path for Harris to rush for 145 yards and three touchdowns and just 21 carries while Jones threw for 385 yards and four
• scores with DeVonta Smith catching seven passes for 231 yards and three touchdowns. Arkansas: Did not play due to a medical issue.
• Florida: Blocked for 605 yards of total offense and 52 points to capture the school’s 28th SEC Championship.
• allowed a sack and two hurries.
• opened holes for Harris to rush for 172 yards, account for 246 total yards and score five touchdowns.
• protected Jones, allowing him to throw for 418 yards and five touchdowns.
• Tide averaged 7.3 yards per play. Notre Dame: Provided time for 297 passing yards while the Crimson Tide rushed for 140 yards.
• did not allow a sack or a hurry.
• opened holes for Harris to rush for 125 yards on 15 carries for an average of 8.3 yards per rush attempt while the Crimson Tide
• garnered 7.9 yards per play. Ohio State: Opened holes and provided time for 621 yards of total offense, including 464 through the air
• and 157 on the ground.
• did not allow a sack on 46 pass attempts while clearing a path for Harris to rush for a game-high 79 yards and two touchdowns and
• Brian Robinson to gain 79 yards on 10 carries (6.9 ypc).
• did not allow a pressure but surrendered one hurry.

2019 SEASON

• Played at multiple positions across the line but settled in at left guard.
• selected as a Freshman All-American by 247Sports and the FWAA while also being tabbed to ESPN.com’s Freshman All-America team.
• also earned Freshman All-America accolades from USA Today.
• named to the Freshman All-SEC squad by the league coaches.
• selected as a Midseason Freshman All-American by the Football Writers’ Association of America.
• tabbed to the preseason Freshman All-America Watch List by the FWAA.
• started all 13 games of his young career at left guard.
• helped the Tide’s offensive line rank third nationally in sacks allowed at just .92 per game made up of 12 sacks in 406 pass attempts
• during the 2019 season (one every 33.8 pass attempts).
• the offensive front opened holes and provided time for Alabama‘s offense that ranked No. 2 nationally in scoring (47.2 ppg), third in
• passing (342.2 ypg) and sixth in total offense (510.8 ypg).
• the Crimson Tide’s ground game also proved efficient with its top two running backs (Najee Harris and Brian Robinson Jr.) accounting
• for 5.5 yards per rush (1,665 yards and 18 touchdowns).
• according to Championship Analytics (CAI) Alabama was one of the nation’s top teams as it relates to five-plus-yard runs, leading the
• SEC and ranking ninth nationally with 44 percent of the team’s rushing attempts resulting in a gain of five or more yards.
• CAI also ranked the Tide’s front fourth nationally with a sack rate of 3.0 percent for a passing attack that ranked No. 3 nationally at
• 342.2 yards per pass and second in yards per pass at 10.45 ypp. Duke: Made his first career start at left guard against the Blue Devils,
• playing 68 snaps.
• did not allow a sack and did not have any missed assignments.
• helped the Crimson Tide roll up 512 yards of total offense in Atlanta. New Mexico State: Played 55 snaps against the Aggies and helped
• Alabama account for 603 yards of total offense, including 310 on the ground, which is the most since the 2017 season. South Carolina:
• Helped the Crimson Tide roll up 571 yards of total offense, averaging 8.9 yards per play.
• did not allow a sack or a hurry in a 47-23 victory. Southern Miss: A force in the run game as the Crimson Tide rolled up 514 yards of
• total offense.
• UA notched its first 100-yard rushing game as Najee Harris gained 110 yards.
• allowed time for the Tide quarterbacks to account for a 204.18 passer rating.
• did not allow a sack, hurry or pressure. Ole Miss: Opened holes for the Tide’s top two running backs to average a combined 6.9 yards
• per carry.
• did not allow a quarterback sack or pressure.
• missed only a single assignment in 57 snaps on the day and provided time for Tua Tagovailoa to throw for 418 yards and a school-
• record six touchdowns. Texas A&M: His physicality at the point of attack proved pivotal in the Tide’s ground game.
• also provided time for Tua Tagovailoa to throw for 293 yards and four touchdowns.
• opened holes to allow for Harris and Robinson Jr. to average 5.5 yards per carry as Harris finished with 114 yards and a receiving
• touchdown.
• played 66 snaps and did not allow a sack, a pressure or commit a penalty.
• did not miss an assignment as the Tide averaged 6.9 yards per play against the Aggies. Tennessee: Made his seventh start at left guard.
• provided time for the Crimson Tide offense to average 6.4 yards per play while accounting for 140 rushing yards.
• opened holes for the running backs to average 5.2 yards on 28 carries (145 rushing yards) and three touchdowns.
• played 61 snaps while not allowing a sack, hurry or pressure.
• did not miss an assignment. Arkansas: Started but left the game after 13 snaps with an injury. LSU: Did not allow a sack or commit a
• penalty in 69 snaps on offense.
• opened holes for Harris to rush for 146 yards and a touchdown while averaging 7.7 yards per carry. Mississippi State: Was perfect on
• assignments in 53 snaps in a 38-7 win over the Bulldogs.
• opened holes for Harris to rush for 88 yards on 17 carries with a career-high three touchdowns.
• provided time for Tagovailoa and Mac Jones to throw for 350 yards while only being sacked once. Western Carolina: Opened holes and
• provided time for 541 yards of total offense, including 231 rushing yards.
• the Tide averaged 5.5 yards per carry and 9.5 yards per play.
• did not allow a sack or a hurry. Auburn: Opened holes for 515 yards of total offense, including 180 yards on the ground.
• did not allow a sack.
• provided time for Jones to complete 69.8 percent of his passes for 335 yards and four touchdowns. Michigan: Cleared a path and
• provided time for 480 yards of total offense, including 8.7 yards per play.
• did not allow a sack and helped the Tide average 5.1 yards per rush.
• Harris gained 136 yards on the ground and scored two touchdowns while Jones threw for 327 yards and three more scores.

HIGH SCHOOL/PERSONAL

• An elite offensive tackle prospect and one of the top players at any position in the nation.
• tabbed as a five-star offensive tackle by all major recruiting outlets and one of the top players in the state of Florida.
• rated as the No. 1 offensive tackle and the No. 8 player in the nation on the Rivals 100.
• Rivals.com also ranked him as the third-best player in Florida.
• the seventh-ranked player, No. 1 offensive tackle and No. 3 player in Florida on the 247Composite.
• the No. 32 player nationally and the fourth-rated offensive tackle in the country by 247Sports.
• the No. 4 player in the ESPN300.
• rated as the No. 2 offensive tackle and second-ranked player in Florida by ESPN.com.
• selected to play in the Under Armour All-America Game.
• the anchor of the offensive line at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla..
• coached by Kevin Wright at IMG.
• chose Alabama over Florida State, Georgia, Miami and Oklahoma.

Thanks you for everything bama nation !🐘🔴⚪️ @AlabamaFTBL #rolltide

Thanks @k.hammer.art for creating this design! Go to her for freelance digital graphics. pic.twitter.com/7LL5yVhc5n

— ⚜️Christopher Allen⚜️ (@Allen_Greatness) January 16, 2022

–Field Level Media (@FieldLevelMedia)