Read NFL.com's scouting report of former Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal, the seventh overall choice in the 2022 NFL Draft.
OVERVIEW
Neal's size and athleticism made him one of the top-10 recruits in the country out of IMG Academy in Florida. Alabama coaches wasted no time getting him on the field, starting him in all 13 games at right guard in 2019 en route to an SEC All-Freshman Team selection. Neal moved to right tackle in 2020, leading the team's offense for all 13 games on its way to a CFP National Championship. In his final collegiate season, he was voted a team captain, started 15 games at left tackle, earned AP second-team All-American honors, and was recognized as a first-team All-SEC selection. Two of his uncles played football with the Miami Hurricanes and in the NFL: running back Cleveland Gary (first-round pick of the Rams in 1989) and defensive lineman Jimmie Jones (third-round pick of Dallas in 1990, where he won two Super Bowls).
STRENGTHS
- Has played against top-level competition over his three seasons.
- Much quicker after dropping 15 pounds in the offseason.
- Well-schooled in technical aspects of the position.
- Knows how it is supposed to look and can replicate it on consistent basis.
- Moves with fluidity and body control.
- Patient and accurate fitting up into initial contact.
- Strikes with proper leverage and explosive lift at point of attack.
- Hand placement and leg churn carves out space with down block.
- Variety of pass-set angles and techniques are at his disposal.
- Twitchy out of his stance and into his slides.
- Keeps the majority of weight on inside leg in pass sets.
- Well-timed hands put his length in play early in the rep.
- Times up punches to maximize his length.
- Nimble and capable to redirect and slide to inside move.
- Quick to reset a discarded punch attempt.
- Good release/mirror/catch technique versus spin moves.
