The biggest member of Alabama’s 2019 signing class cited one big reason for picking the Crimson Tide: Chasing championships.

Evan Neal, a 6-foot-8, 360-pound 5-star offensive lineman from IMG Academy (Fla.), said at the Under Armour All-American Game in Orlando, Florida, that the Crimson Tide's championship success drew him to the program.

“It’s a blessing to be able to go into a program like that that already has championships in place, and they compete for a championship every year,” he said. “It’s a blessing. Hopefully, I go over there and experience what winning a championship is like. That’s why I’m going there. I want to work hard, and they’re the best at working hard.”

Alabama fell 44-16 to Clemson in Monday’s College Football Playoff championship game, but it’s the fourth straight CFP appearance for the Crimson Tide. Alabama’s senior class leaves with 55 wins, three SEC titles and two national championships.

"I just feel like going through Coach Saban's program, they'll push me to be the best I can be," Neal said.

Alabama signed 24 players during college football’s early signing period, and the 6-foot-7, 360-pound Neal is the highest-ranked offensive lineman as the No. 20 player nationally according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. Neal is an early enrollee and is one of five offensive linemen who signed early with Alabama.

Alabama has commitments from four other players, although none are offensive linemen, and remains in recruiting battles for several more, including top-ranked offensive tackle Darnell Wright, of Huntington, West Virginia, and top-ranked defensive tackle Ishamel Sopher, from Amite, Louisiana.

The battle for the nation’s No. 1 DT remains Bama vs. LSU:



"The fans might tell me ... stay in Louisiana and all that," Ishmael Sopsher said, "but it's just about the best opportunity for me and my brother to go somewhere and get developed and be great." https://t.co/dv2PqKD7xU pic.twitter.com/aNHZGRAejz — AL.com (@aldotcom) January 5, 2019

Neal committed to Alabama in 2016, but decommitted nine days later. As Early Signing Day approached last month, he gave little public indication of where he'd go, but picked Alabama over Miami, Florida State and others.

"I can't say it was an easy decision. In the end, I feel like I made the best decision for me," Neal said. "I talked about with my family, talked to God about it, and we decided I feel like Alabama is going to get the best of our me. That's why I chose that school."

At the 2018 The Opening recruiting showcase last summer, Neal showed a unique blend of power, agility and quickness for a 360-pounder.

Neal said he expects to play left tackle in college, but added he's open to playing any spot on the offensive line. Alabama could be looking for a new left tackle if All-American Jonah Williams opts to enter the NFL Draft.

“I’ll play wherever my team needs me,” Neal said.