There was a time when Evan Neal stated he would, if not pig out, actually give in to temptation. That meant devouring not one, however two of his favourite quick meals cravings: a Chick-Fil-A spicy meal combo.
“Can’t do this lately,’’ Neal stated late final month at his Alabama Professional Day exercise.
“Nowadays’’ are spent coaching and making ready for the NFL draft. Neal will hear his identify known as early on the night time of April 28, not lengthy after the primary spherical begins. For all Nick Saban has achieved at Alabama, sending top-shelf prospects into the NFL with assembly-line precision, none of his Crimson Tide gamers has ever been the No. 1 choice.
“Wherever I get drafted, I’ll be extraordinarily comfortable,’’ Neal stated. “What prospect wouldn’t need to go No. 1? That will be a dream come true for certain.
“It could imply every part. There are an entire lot of Alabama gamers who have been worthy of being drafted in that spot. For it to be me can be actually particular. Make the entire state of Alabama proud, the college for certain.’’
The Jaguars personal the No. 1 choose and they don't seem to be anticipated to go together with Neal, however you by no means know. Heck, Neal won't be the primary offensive lineman to listen to his identify, as Ickey Ekwonu from North Carolina State could possibly be first off the board.
There may be little doubt Neal or Ekwonu won't get previous the Giants at No. 5. They're totally different prospects although. Ekwonu would possibly turn into an All-Professional guard, and he delighted the media throng on the scouting mix in early March along with his partaking persona. Neal was extra businesslike and his physique is way totally different from the burly Ekwonu. Neal is 6-foot-7 ¹/₂ and 337 kilos. He really seems svelte in shorts and a T-shirt. Together with his lengthy body and longer arms, Neal is already an achieved go protector.
There are not any questions on Neal’s NFL readiness as an instantaneous starter at left or proper sort out. The one concern from scouts is whether or not he'll settle for being superb on the expense of working to be nice. The upside potential in Neal, his ceiling, won't be as excessive as a staff wishes out of a top-five draft choose.
There may be not far more Neal may have achieved as a school participant. He was a three-year starter at left guard, proper sort out and left sort out. He served as a go protector for Mac Jones and Bryce Younger and received two SEC championships and one Faculty Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship.
Neal did a lot, in truth, that he didn't see the necessity to do far more. He didn't take part in any drills on the mix, and through his Professional Day on March 30, Neal took half in positional drills however didn't run the 40-yard sprint or line up for the broad leap.
“That’s what you go to varsity for, to place it on tape,” Neal stated. “The NFL goes to look at it, and that’s what they choose you based mostly on. The tape.”
The tape is darn good.
“His measurement and athletic means has put him ready the place I feel he has a really vibrant future,” Saban stated. “He did an incredible job for us, whether or not he performed guard or sort out. I’m certain that range will assist him as a professional participant as properly.”
As match and sculpted as he seems heading into the draft, NFL groups know Neal has performed at a a lot heavier weight — 350 kilos — and that's, if not a fear, actually a think about figuring out Neal’s long-term sturdiness. He by no means missed a recreation at Alabama.
“I’ve all the time simply been an enormous man,’’ Neal stated. “I by no means checked out myself as having a weight downside. I felt comfy enjoying in any respect of these weights, however I positively really feel extra comfy on the weight I’m at now.’’
Neal stated he consumes 3,500 to 4,000 energy a day, consuming more healthy than he has prior to now.
“Lean meats like rotisserie hen and rice and steak,” Neal stated. “I’m allergic to seafood, so I can’t eat fish or something like that, which is a bummer. So I eat turkey. Issues like that. Loads of beans. Protein.”
Protecting his giant body balanced is an ongoing course of. Neal stated along with his go blocking and likewise his run blocking “at instances my base will are likely to tighten up on me and I’ll elevate up and get excessive and that may are likely to make me fall off blocks or get thrown.’’
These are correctable method tweaks. He's thought-about to be a franchise offensive sort out and can get chosen very excessive within the first spherical. Not first, most certainly, however quickly thereafter.
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