947 days since 5-star offensive tackle Evan Neal decommitted from Alabama, the Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy product is rolling with the Tide once again.

Neal announced his commitment to Alabama over Georgia, Miami, Florida, Florida State and Oklahoma on ESPNU Wednesday.

The 6-foot-7.5, 360-pound, one-time Alabama commit reopened his recruitment after a week-long stint in the Tide’s 2019 class in May of 2016. Neal instead opted to evaluate the options he had, which turned out to be many.

Miami picked up some momentum for the 5-star tackle in the months to follow, however, Alabama stayed in the picture and took a big step forward this past summer and held onto that positioning heading into the fall.

“The program works like a big family, that’s probably the biggest difference,” Sheila Neal, Evan’s mother, said of what makes Alabama different from the other schools.

The Tide hosted Neal on an official visit for the Iron Bowl last month and it was Alabama’s message that really resonated with the Neal family.

“It’s really his passion for his players,” Sheila Neal said of Saban’s message. “Sitting and speaking with him — Evan, his dad and I — we were discussing the players and all of the resources and just the mindset of what it takes to be a player at Alabama. I can honestly say that I got a really good feel from him, a really good vibe of the whole program. It would almost be selfish of me to say just Nick Saban because his wife is wonderful, she has a bright personality, all of his staff, his coordinators, his line coach, everyone made it feel so personal and inviting. It just appears to be a really great program.”

Former offensive coordinator Mike Locksley was Neal’s primary recruiter, however, when he left, other coaches like Brent Key and Tosh Lupoi stepped in to fill the void.

Neal joins a stout offensive line class that includes a quartet of 4-stars like offensive tackles Pierce Quick and Amari Kight, and 4-star interior linemen Darrian Dalcourt and Tanner Bowles.

Neal is rated the No. 5 offensive tackle and the No. 20 overall player in the nation, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite Rankings.

The 247Sports Crystal Ball favored the Tide heavily in the weeks leading up to Neal’s commitment.

Here’s what 247Sports has to say about Neal’s ability:

A massive body with extremely long arms. At his size, capable of engulfing defensive linemen. A strong and powerful offensive lineman with above average mobility given his size. Needs to control his weight and not become too heavy to play the position while also continuing to improve quickness. Impact Power-Five prospect with high round NFL draft upside.

Alabama holds the nation's No. 1 class in the country, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite Team Recruiting Rankings, over Georgia.

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