There was a time when Evan Neal stated he would, if not pig out, definitely give in to temptation. That meant devouring not one, however two of his favourite quick meals cravings: a Chick-Fil-A spicy meal combo.

“Can’t do this today,’’ Neal stated late final month at his Alabama Professional Day exercise.

“Nowadays’’ are spent coaching and getting ready for the NFL draft. Neal will hear his identify referred to as early on the night time of April 28, not lengthy after the primary spherical begins. For all Nick Saban has completed at Alabama, sending top-shelf prospects into the NFL with assembly-line precision, none of his Crimson Tide gamers has ever been the No. 1 choice.

“Wherever I get drafted, I’ll be extraordinarily blissful,’’ Neal stated. “What prospect wouldn’t wish to go No. 1? That will be a dream come true for positive.

“It could imply all the pieces. There are an entire lot of Alabama gamers who have been worthy of being drafted in that spot. For it to be me could be actually particular. Make the entire state of Alabama proud, the college for positive.’’

The Jaguars personal the No. 1 choose and they aren’t anticipated to go together with Neal, however you by no means know. Heck, Neal won’t be the primary offensive lineman to listen to his identify, as Ickey Ekwonu from North Carolina State could possibly be first off the board.

There’s little doubt Neal or Ekwonu is not going to get previous the Giants at No. 5. They’re completely different prospects although. Ekwonu may become an All-Professional guard, and he delighted the media throng on the scouting mix in early March together with his partaking persona. Neal was extra businesslike and his physique is way completely different from the burly Ekwonu. Neal is 6-foot-7 ¹/₂ and 337 kilos. He really seems to be svelte in shorts and a T-shirt. Along with his lengthy body and longer arms, Neal is already an completed move protector.

There aren’t any questions on Neal’s NFL readiness as a right away starter at left or proper sort out. The one concern from scouts is whether or not he’ll settle for being excellent on the expense of working to be nice. The upside potential in Neal, his ceiling, won’t be as excessive as a staff wishes out of a top-five draft choose.

There’s not rather more Neal might have completed as a school participant. He was a three-year starter at left guard, proper sort out and left sort out. He served as a move protector for Mac Jones and Bryce Younger and received two SEC championships and one School Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship.

Neal did a lot, in actual fact, that he didn’t see the necessity to do rather more. He didn’t take part in any drills on the mix, and through his Professional Day on March 30, Neal took half in positional drills however didn’t run the 40-yard sprint or line up for the broad leap.

“That’s what you go to varsity for, to place it on tape,” Neal stated. “The NFL goes to observe it, and that’s what they choose you primarily based on. The tape.”

The tape is darn good.

“His dimension and athletic means has put him ready the place I feel he has a really shiny future,” Saban stated. “He did a terrific job for us, whether or not he performed guard or sort out. I’m positive that range will assist him as a professional participant as nicely.”

As match and sculpted as he seems to be heading into the draft, NFL groups know Neal has performed at a a lot heavier weight — 350 kilos — and that’s, if not a fear, definitely a consider figuring out Neal’s long-term sturdiness. He by no means missed a sport at Alabama.

“I’ve at all times simply been a giant man,’’ Neal stated. “I by no means checked out myself as having a weight drawback. I felt comfy taking part in in any respect of these weights, however I undoubtedly really feel extra comfy on the weight I’m at now.’’

Neal stated he consumes 3,500 to 4,000 energy a day, consuming more healthy than he has prior to now.

“Lean meats like rotisserie rooster and rice and steak,” Neal stated. “I’m allergic to seafood, so I can’t eat fish or something like that, which is a bummer. So I eat turkey. Issues like that. A variety of beans. Protein.”

Protecting his giant body balanced is an ongoing course of. Neal stated together with his move blocking and likewise his run blocking “at occasions my base will are likely to tighten up on me and I’ll elevate up and get excessive and that can are likely to make me fall off blocks or get thrown.’’

These are correctable approach tweaks. He’s thought-about to be a franchise offensive sort out and can get chosen very excessive within the first spherical. Not first, most definitely, however quickly thereafter.