Alabama's Neal declares for NFL draft
Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal is entering the 2022 NFL Draft, he announced Thursday.
The 6-foot-7, 350-pounder is considered one of the top prospects at his position.
A 2021 AP second-team All-American, Neal made 39 starts over three seasons for the Crimson Tide, working at both left and right tackle as well as at guard. He helped Alabama to the national championship game, where it lost to Georgia.
"Though this season didn't end with the outcome my brothers and I were hoping for, this year was incredible and I will forever remember all that it took to get us there," he wrote.
Neal, a native of Okeechobee, Florida, was a semifinalist for the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award.
Prior to the 2022 national championship game, Neal had allowed just 25 pressures at left or right tackle in the last two years, according to PFF's Michael Renner.
Alabama needs to replace both starting tackles with Chris Owens having exhausted his collegiate eligibility.
Crimson Tide defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis also declared for the draft this week.