Nick Saban pleased with OL Evan Neal’s development during freshman season
By SDS Staff
Published:
Offensive lineman is considered one of the most difficult positions to play as a true freshman in the SEC. Conventional wisdom is that players need time in the weight room and seasons of experience to mature into SEC offensive linemen.
Even Neal, however, isn’t your typical offensive lineman. Listed at 6-7, 360 pounds, he was rated the No. 1 offensive tackle and No. 7 prospect overall nationally on the 247Sports Composite for the class of 2019. The first-year lineman has played in all 12 Alabama games and gotten the attention of media members and SEC coaches, earning Freshman All-SEC and Freshman All-American recognition. Nick Saban praised Neal when asked about the rookie lineman on Tuesday.
“Evan Neal has done a really good job for us at left guard,” Saban told reporters. “True freshman. I think that the fact that we have two tackles that are experienced guys and pretty good players probably helped him.
“Landon Dickerson also is a very experienced player playing center, so that’s probably helped him. And I think he’s going to get really, really challenged in this game because complexity, multiple stunts, and that their front they’re going to throw at us is going to challenge our entire offensive line. But I think the guys that have the least experience will be challenged the most and Evan has done a great job for us all year long. We’re really pleased with his progress and I think he has a very bright future.”
Neal and the rest of the Crimson Tide offensive line will look to win the battle upfront against Michigan’s defensive line in Wednesday’s Citrus Bowl. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET on ABC.
Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.
