As we continue through the offseason, Roll Tide Wire has decided to bring fans a quick snapshot of each scholarship player listed on Alabama’s 2020 football roster.
Each day, we’ll release two player profiles giving fans a glimpse into the players who will be available this upcoming season. Whether that’s size, classification, hometowns or recruiting rankings coming out of high school, we’ve got you covered.
Also included in each article is a quick recap letting you know what to expect from that player for the upcoming 2020 season and beyond.
Next up on the list is sophomore offensive lineman Evan Neal out of Okeechobee (Fla.).
Evan Neal, Offensive Line
Height: 6-7 / Weight: 360
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Okeechobee (Fla.)
High School: IMG Academy
HS ranking (247Sports): 5-star / No. 7 overall / No. 1 OT / No. 3 FLA
HS ranking (Rivals): 5-star / No. 8 overall / No. 1 OT / No. 3 FLA
Analysis: If there was a “first guy off the bus” type player on Alabama’s roster, it would definitely be Evan Neal. The 6-foot-7, 360-pound mammoth offensive lineman is one of the most physically gifted blockers in all of college football.
It’s not just his physical and athletic gifts, however. While Neal did need some time to become a more consistent presence at left guard last season, his play slowly improved and his physically dominate traits started to stand out more. That was a result of his hard work in mastering the playbook and adapting to playing a new position.
Now heading into his second season, Neal will more than likely make the move back to his more natural position at right tackle, replacing the No. 10 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft in Jedrick Wills Jr. There, Neal will be able to utilize his rare length to handle SEC speed rushers off the edge.
If he can adjust quickly — all signs point to him being able to do so — to tackle in college football’s best conference, the chance at All-SEC (or maybe even All-American) status is not outside the realm of possibility.
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