Evan Neal recalls latest memory of Nick Saban going after him
When at Alabama, you’re going to have at least one good story about Nick Saban chewing you out — even if you’re Evan Neal.
While Neal had a phenomenal career for the Crimson Tide, he wasn’t immune to his coach’s wrath. In an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, the newly-minted New York Giants offensive lineman recalled the last memory he has of Saban going after him.
“I can’t tell you that my play actually made him angry,” started Neal. “I’m sure I haven’t been perfect, and he’s critiqued my game like everyone else, but didn’t really get — he yelled at everybody, but didn’t really get — yeah, I got yelled at a few times. But I always felt like Coach Saban was you know, pleased with my play enough where he could go out there and trust me to execute my job on the field.”
While Neal may feel Saban was pleased with his play, he was able to remember at least one instance where he wasn’t.
“I have,” Neal responded, when asked if he’s ever been aired-out by Saban. “I mean, I have, I definitely have. .. The last time I could remember was my freshman year. I remember I was taking guys to the ground. So basically, we were doing team run period, and I think I pancaked the guy and he yelled at me for keeping the guys up. He said, you know, keep the guys up.
“Then another time, I remember him yelling at me, I think it was my sophomore year, we were doing flex. I stretched out stretch lines — basically, stretch is like a workout and basically it doesn’t even get you warmed up, it’s just a freaking workout. He yelled at me, he said, ‘Neal, do it right!’, even though I would.”
Evan Neal didn’t feel the heat from Nick Saban often, but it goes to show that even the best of the best will feel the fire from the legendary coach.
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Furthermore, the Giants are banking on Alabama product Evan Neal to come in and deliver stability immediately along the offensive line. He did it for three years in Tuscaloosa, and he’ll be expected to do the same in his NFL career. That’s why New York took him off the board early in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, picking him No. 7 overall.
In his three seasons with the Crimson Tide, Neal helped guide the Alabama offense to two College Football Playoff berths, including a national title in 2020. This past season, the hulking offensive lineman earned first-team All-American honors, as he protected quarterback Bryce Young on the way to capturing the first Heisman Trophy for a quarterback in Alabama history.
Most importantly to the Giants, Neal can be used along the offensive line. He has played at both the guard and tackle position in college, and is open to moving around if needed.
“You can pretty much plug me in anywhere other than center and I’ll be able to come in and make an impact,” he said after his Pro Day.
Along with his ability to lead on the line, he brings a track record of dependability to New York. The 6-foot-7, 350-pound offensive tackle started in 40 games across his college career, including 15 games last season.
A former five-star plus recruit in the class of 2019, he was the No. 1 offensive tackle in the nation per the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average. After playing his freshman season in his hometown at Okeechobee, Florida, he transferred to IMG Academy. Evan Neal was the second-ranked recruit coming out of Florida in his class.