Evan Neal discusses the 'nostalgia' of returning to right tackle in the NFL
It’s all new to Evan Neal, but the former Alabama star is feeling some nostalgia as he transitions to the NFL.
While the hulking offensive lineman would be a plug-and-play starter at left tackle for most teams who drafted him, the Giants already have former Georgia star Andrew Thomas at the position. So, the No. 7 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft is slotted to start at right tackle in New York, a position he hasn’t played since his sophomore season at Alabama.
According to Neal, practicing on the right side again is taking him back to his early days under Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa.
“It feels great just to go out there, get back in the right type of stance — ain’t played right tackle since my sophomore year,” Neal revealed, via Matt Citak of Giants.com. “So brought back some pretty good nostalgia. It’s just really good, man. You know, to practice on an NFL team, it doesn’t get better than that. Definitely my dreams came true. Just excited, for sure.”
Continuing, Neal spoke about the changes he’s had to make in readjusting to the right side of the offensive line.
“Really just trying to make sure my stance and my set, you know, being on the left side, really just transitioning everything back over to the right,” added Neal. “That’s pretty much what it is.”
Whether he’s at left or right tackle, as long as the former Alabama offensive lineman is on the Giants offensive line they’ll be a better squad. With Andrew Thomas and Evan Neal as bookends, New York’s offense is in good hands.
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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.