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5-star T Evan Neal still taking time with decision as mom pushes for Miami

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David Wilson said:
BRADENTON -- Evan Neal knows it's not exactly a secret where most of his family would like to see him wind up at the next level. The 5-star tackle grew up a Miami fan, has family which has played for the Hurricanes and grew up closer to Coral Gables than either of the other Big 3 Florida schools.

And, of course, his mother is a factor, too. Even from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Neal talks to his parents every night about his potential college decision. Almost very night, his mother makes her voice heard.

"If it was up to her," Neal said Wednesday at IMG's media day in Bradenton, "I'd already be committed to Miami."

This isn't exactly new news. Neal first mentioned his mother's fixation on the Hurricanes almost a year ago after he visited Hard Rock Stadium for Miami's home finale against Virginia in November. A few months later, the offensive lineman told reporters ahead of the Under Armour All-America Game's Future 50 combine in January that the Hurricanes were doing the best job of recruiting his parents.

But months later, Neal still doesn't foresee an impending decision.

"She’s on me about it, man, but it’s a decision that I’m going to have to make. I’m going to take my time. I don’t want to jump the gun on any type of decision because I only get one," Neal said. "It'll either happen throughout the course of the season or right after the season because I'm early enrolling."

Right now, Neal is most concerned with preparing for his senior season with the Ascenders. IMG won't even let players loose this weekend ahead of fall camp's official start Monday. This means Neal won't be at Paradise Camp on Saturday, nor will he check out Florida State or Alabama. If he were able to take a visit this weekend, Neal said he'd most likely see either the Seminoles or Crimson Tide.

Neal's focus on football rather than the recruiting process is paying off so far. The senior earned a bump to 5-star status in the 247Sports composite rankings after a strong performance at The Opening finals. He continues to reshape his body, as well, as he's down about 30 pounds from the 385 pounds he played his junior season at.

It's still a work in progress for Neal, who realized how much weight he needed to cut in the spring. Packers tackle Bryan Bulaga, as many professional athletes do, spent part of the spring training at IMG. As good as Neal is, Bulaga still wasn't sold on the elite prospect. The offensive lineman told an Ascenders trainer he wouldn't draft Neal if he was a general manager.

"Because I was too fat," Neal said. "That kind of resonated with me. If he’s someone who’s already there and one of the best in the business, and he said he wouldn’t draft me, obviously I’ve got to get with it. I’ve got to get right."

Neal is targeting 320-325 pounds by the time he's eligible to be drafted. He still has a little way to go.

His focus on football, however, means the Hurricanes will have the final impression on Neal as he heads into his senior season. The Okeechobee native visited Miami on June 6 with his father, two cousins and an uncle. While he'd visited a number of times in the past -- most recently for junior day March 24 -- this visit was a chance to have significant one-on-one time with coach Mark Richt and the rest of his staff.

"It was a really, really good visit. They threw everything and the kitchen sink at me, man. I even got to see the new indoor facility," Neal said. "They’ve got something special going on there."

Neal doesn't currently have any visits planned -- and no official visits locked in -- but expects to take a handful during IMG's bye week and after the season. He could also get creative and use the Ascenders' jet-setting schedule to check out some of his top schools. IMG, for example, wraps up the regular season with a road game against Hoover (Ala.) High School on Nov. 2, so he would like to visit Alabama the same weekend.
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David, welcome to the board. Seems like this kid is not sure if he wants to be a Cane. Obviously the pressure being exerted by the family is immense, but it seems like he keeps pushing back on Mama about committing. I don't know, I'm not 100% sold that he ends up in Coral Gables.
 
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MiamiChris said:
I’ll add I don’t believe any of them are going as of now
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Told y’all MiamiChris money on Lucas
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MiamiChris said:
Rumor floating around FSU board is Neal is secretly showing up to FSU camp, but like kind of reported by others IMG staff is making recruits get signed out by a parent to leave this weekend. So I’m guessing a small # or none at all will be camping.
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Coach told them at noon yesterday they could leave if signed out by parent after IMG stuff Saturday. Not sure what time that would end up being but most/all parents don’t live by IMG so can’t sign them up. The drive is 5 hours and another thing, the transportation for the kids going to IMG wasn’t a freaking bus not even sure how Neal would have fit if he wanted to go with them.
 
MiamiChris said:
Coach told them at noon yesterday they could leave if signed out by parent after IMG stuff Saturday. Not sure what time that would end up being but most/all parents don’t live by IMG so can’t sign them up. The drive is 5 hours and another thing, the transportation for the kids going to IMG wasn’t a freaking bus not even sure how Neal would have fit if he wanted to go with them.
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You the man!
 
Don't understand why highly rated recruits go out to IMG. I could see if you were borderline and wanted to prove yourself. But the benefits don't seem to outweigh the cons to me.
 
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orange&green84 said:
Don't understand why highly rated recruits go out to IMG. I could see if you were borderline and wanted to prove yourself. But the benefits don't seem to outweigh the cons to me.
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I know some go out there for the workout and training program. They get the kids in amazing shape compared to what an inner city or public school can do. That is one huge reason. Another is have you seen there facilities and lockerooms, easy to get kids liking that. Attention is another
 
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MiamiChris said:
I know some go out there for the workout and training program. They get the kids in amazing shape compared to what an inner city or public school can do. That is one huge reason. Another is have you seen there facilities and lockerooms, easy to get kids liking that. Attention is another
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They also do a good job with academics -- lots of personal attention and you're virtually guaranteed to qualify.
 
Combo said:
They also do a good job with academics -- lots of personal attention and you're virtually guaranteed to qualify.
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Play for a national championship and essentially start college ball one year early. It's basically like a farm school for D1. Toss in the best competition in the country pushing you to be the best you can, I'm not sure why anyone wouldn't were they afforded the opportunity.
 
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