Alabama Football: Evan Neal is ready for change to left tackle

Alabama football will see a position change on the offensive line

For the past two seasons, Evan Neal has played two different positions on the offensive line. He started at guard before shifting to right tackle to replace Jedrick Wills. He is now slated to start at left tackle for Alabama football, and he has what it takes to thrive.

Changing positions on the offensive line isn’t as easy as some make it out to be. It takes a different skill set and technique to play left tackle. Still, Neal has what it takes to make this swap.

How can we confidently say this? For starters, he was a left tackle in high school. He was the highest-rated tackle in the 2019 class, and he could’ve started there as a true freshman. He isn’t a natural guard that Saban is moving to play tackle. He is meant to block a quarterback’s blind side, but he hasn’t been able to due to depth.

Alabama had two first-round tackles on the roster in Neal’s freshman year. There was no way that he would replace either of them. His position change to guard only shows how valuable Neal is as a lineman. He was too good to keep on the bench, so Alabama football moved him to a different position to ensure he was impacting the game.

If Leatherwood had declared for the 2020 NFL Draft, Neal would have certainly moved to play left tackle last year. Instead, Leatherwood decided to come back for his senior season. This left only one tackle position open, and Neal filled it.

Now that Neal is finally playing his natural position, he can finally live up to his billing as a recruit. He will instantly be one of the best left tackles in college football. He has the size and strength to protect Bryce Young, but he’s honed his technique over two years with Alabama football.

Neal is a more well-rounded lineman thanks to two seasons playing other positions, but it is finally time for him to dominate where he’s supposed to play.