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Evan Neal: Bringing Okeechobee to New York
Evan Neal, a top 10 draft choice in this year's 2022 NFL Draft, cruised through the red carpet on
Thursday with a specific fashion design choice found inside of his suit jacket. Fashion design of
what exactly? It was a design featuring Lake Okeechobee. A moment for Evan, a native of
Okeechobee, Florida, to put the spotlight on the town and people of the community that has
always been by his side.
“That's what it’s all about,” Neal tells WPBF West Palm Beach 25 News in an interview, “ I love
this hometown and the more shine and spotlight it gets the better. There is a lot of greatness in
this hometown.” Neal, who attended Okeechobee High School for one year prior to transferring
to IMG Academy, has a lot of support from his hometown. Neal was given the key to the city by
the City Council of Okeechobee in April. A reward that is rare in just about any town.
Evan Neal during his three years at the University of Alabama was a dominant force in the
trenches for the Tide. The 6’7, 350 pound offensive tackle was a versatile player that played at
multiple positions in his 40 starts in his collegiate career. With 40 starts over the three years, he
started 13 games at left guard in 2019, 12 games at right tackle in 2020, and 15 games at left
tackle in 2021 according to rolltide.com. His contribution to the nation's 6th ranked scoring
offense (39.9 ppg) didn’t go unnoticed as he picked up first team honors from CBS.Sports,
ESPN.com, and USA Today. Through his three years with the Tide, Neal was a part of two
straight years of going to the College Football Playoffs and winning it all in 2021 against Ohio
State in the national championship in 2021 and still representing Okeechobee all along the way.
As the Neal family prepared for the draft in Las Vegas, Nevada, the town of Okeechobee began
to prepare for a draft party of their own. The community of Okeechobee, Florida, created a watch
party for the draft at the AGRI-Civic Center in town. A local spot where the whole town can
celebrate one of their own.
“ Everyone contributed, everybody wanted to be here and we’re just excited for him”, says
Demetre Riles, Neal’s former head coach. The civic center was turned into a place of festive
atmosphere with Neal's jerseys on display, carnival food, and even games for the public like
cornhole. Even though the NFL Draft this year lasted three days, it didn’t take long for the
celebration to begin in Okeechobee .Within a matter of minutes into the start of the draft, the
AGRI-Civic Center erupted as the New York Giants drafted Evan Neal as the 7th overall pick in
the draft.
According to NFL.com prospect rankings, Neal is projected to be a first year starter. With his
talent and pedigree, this might be an accurate assumption .The New York Giants, who have
struggled at the offensive tackle position in the past few years, try to fix their issues through the
draft as bringing in Neal will bring his collegiate experience against top-level competition ,
textbook knowledge of the position, and quick,well-timed hands and explosion in the trenches to
New York. While Neal brings all of his attributes to the Giants, he is also bringing a little bit of
Okeechobee to the big apple.
Written by- Brandon Hernandez
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