📝 2019 OT commit, Evan Neal, re-opens his recruitment

[18Champs]

Okeechobee (Fla.) 2019 offensive lineman Evan Neal received his dream offer from Alabama on May 5th and a day later he committed to the Crimson Tide.

The decision came extremely early from a prospect that is nearing the completion of his freshman year in high school. Since his commitment Neal has spent the last few weeks talking things over with his family. They've come to the conclusion that it's in Neal's best interest to re-open his recruitment.

“What kid wouldn’t want to go to Alabama?” Evan’s father Eddie Neal told 247Sports. “I’d love for my son to play for Alabama, but I feel he made his decision too early. He may have been caught up in the emotion of the offer. He’s only 15 years old and there’s a lot that can change between now and when he signs.”

Neal is 6-foot-6, 350-pounds, but too young to even drive a car on his own.

“I’m only a freshman, I still have time and anything could change. I still hope I play for Alabama, but I’m opening up my recruitment. I still have the same feelings for Alabama and I love Alabama,” Evan Neal said.

Neal hasn’t made many college visits yet, which is one of the reasons he’s opening up his recruitment. This summer he plans to checkout as many schools as he can.

“I haven’t been to Alabama yet, but I plan on going there over the summer,” he added. “I also want to see Clemson, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, USC, Arkansas and Georgia.”

Since his commitment to Alabama in early May, Neal has seen an increase in interest from other programs.

“Florida State came by, Florida, Clemson, Alabama and Georgia are the biggest schools that came through recently,” Neal said.

Neal and his family say they want to take things slow from here on out. The plan is to take some visits, begin to build relationships with different coaches and continue to improve on the field.

“I need to look at all my options, but I certainly think I could end up back at Alabama.”

OT Neal Re-Opens Recruitment

 

[bama alum]

I can see his dad's point of view. A fifteen-year-old kid can easily be caught up in the emotion of it all. Not too worried about this kid. Maybe we'll hear/read a different story in two years.

 

[BamaFan334]

Wishing my life away thinking about this one. Smart idea to open back up and see what is there for you. I look forward to this recruit in a couple of years.

 

[UAgrad93]

15 years old is way too early to be making a decision on where he will spend his college years, which is STILL 3 years away. Best to back off now and take in the entire process and then make that decision, rather than make it and regret it later.

 

[OldPlayer]

Losing a 2019 recruit isn't worth reporting on. Too much can happen between now and then. Let him shop around. We will too.

 

[Tidestalker]

Still got enough time for him to commit and de commit 3-4 times!!!

 

[c5vetman]

way too early, this kid may not even be playing football in 3 years

 

[EasyTider]

As long as his little brother is still committed. You should see this kid on the playground. Plays red rover like a beast.

 

[Destiny's Child]

Funny that they are recruiting this early. My son is a 2020 class football recruit.. Most likely not by big schools and he has just started puberty..lol

Still trying to show me invisible armpit hairs. But there is a kid from Calera that is in his grade that is a beast. He was 6'4 320 as an 8th grader and could move around...stud! Would have started on almost every o line in the state for high school.

But here in lies my point. One kid hasn't hit puberty and the other is the Jolly green giant. By the time they are juniors who knows.

To early to commit to scholarships, too early for kids to commit, to early to rule kids out.

 

[#80]

As long as his little brother is still committed. You should see this kid on the playground. Plays red rover like a beast.

LMFAO !!

 

[OldPlayer]

Funny that they are recruiting this early. My son is a 2020 class football recruit.. Most likely not by big schools and he has just started puberty..lol

Still trying to show me invisible armpit hairs. But there is a kid from Calera that is in his grade that is a beast. He was 6'4 320 as an 8th grader and could move around...stud! Would have started on almost every o line in the state for high school.

But here in lies my point. One kid hasn't hit puberty and the other is the Jolly green giant. By the time they are juniors who knows.

To early to commit to scholarships, too early for kids to commit, to early to rule kids out.

Yup. Technically, the kid doesn't have a scholarship offer. A formal offer can't be made until September of his senior year. Anything prior to that is just a "We'd love to have you come to (fill in school name)."