American football offensive tackle Evan Neal plays for the National Football League’s (NFL) New York Giants. The Giants picked him seventh overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. 

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Neal was born in Okeechobee, Florida, on September 19, 2000. Prior to changing schools and enrolling at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, he first attended Okeechobee High School. He has also participated in the Under Armour All-America Game in 2019. Neal, a five-star recruit, then made a commitment to play collegiate football at Alabama.

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Neal was among the top 10 recruits in the nation due to his size and quickness. Coaches at Alabama wasted little time in putting him out on the field, starting him in each of the team’s 13 games at right guard in 2019, leading to his inclusion in the SEC All-Freshman Team. In 2020, Neal switched to the right tackle and oversaw the offence for all 13 games as the team advanced to the CFP National Championship. He was elected team captain during his last collegiate campaign, starting 15 games at left tackle. He was named to the AP second-team All-American and was chosen for the first-team All-SEC. He started for the team that captured the National Championship of the College Football Playoff in 2021. Neal declared that he would miss his senior year and instead declare for the 2022 NFL Draft after the 2021 campaign.

Neal committed to a $4.55 million, four-year deal with the New York Giants after being drafted 7th overall.

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He comes from a family background of football. His father Eddie was a linebacker at Tulane. His three uncles played football: Cleveland Gary, a running back who was selected in the first round by the Los Angeles Rams in 1989; Jimmie Jones, a defensive lineman for the Miami Hurricanes (third-round pick of Dallas in 1990, where he won two Super Bowls); and Frankie Neal, who played a year for Green Bay Packers.