Nowadays to compliment an Alabama player by saying he will be a first-round pick would likely be shrugged off by the recipient. It’s been well documented since Nick Saban took over that the Crimson Tide has been a factory when it comes to producing top-tier prospects for the pros.
It’s almost a guarantee the team will have multiple players selected in the opening round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but this year Alabama could have the first overall selection on its roster.
Offensive lineman Evan Neal has is eyed by many as the best tackle in the draft as well as one of the top players.
Throughout every draft that’s involved Saban-developed talent, none of his former players have been picked at the No. 1 spot. But Neal’s teammate and fellow offensive lineman Chris Owens believes he has an opportunity to check that box.
“I mean, he’s what, 6-8, 340, incredible feet, strong as an ox,” Owens said to reporters on Tuesday. “There’s really not much Evan can’t do. I think where he’s grown over the years is his intelligence. You can see the progression from freshman year when he was a left guard, then last year he was at right tackle, now he’s at left tackle. He’s had experience on both sides of the field at multiple positions, and he’s starting to take that second-and third-level learning so he can progress his game to not only help himself now but help himself in the future.
“So I think, of course, Evan’s going to be a top-five pick. And he’s a good person too so that just adds on to his character.”
ESPN’s Mel Kiper currently has Neal listed as the No. 4 prospect with a quarter of the season down, but depending on the team’s specific needs he could easily leapfrog to the front.
Neal has been dominant so far in 2021 as he is yet to allow a quarterback sack on the year while also helping produce 100-yard rushers in back-to-back games for the Crimson Tide which included a 171-yard performance from running back Brian Robinson last weekend against Ole Miss.
Owens’ assessment of Neal may not be too far off as the sixth-year senior hopes to one day become an NFL general manager which will require some talent evaluation skills.
For now, both players will put their future aspirations on hold as each of their focuses will be turned to the Crimson Tide’s upcoming game against the Texas A&M Aggies which will take place Saturday, Oct. 9 at 7:00 p.m. CT, inside Kyle Field.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
