Alabama WR Williams, offensive lineman Evans enter NFL draft

Posted January 13, 2022 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal (73) tosses confetti after the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game against Cincinnati, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. Alabama won 27-6. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth) The Associated Press

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - Alabama offensive stars Jameson Williams and Evan Neal are entering the NFL draft and skipping their senior seasons.

The two All-Americans announced their decisions Thursday on social media.

Williams led Crimson Tide receivers with 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns in his lone season after transferring from Ohio State. He injured his left knee in the national championship game loss Monday night against Georgia, but is still projected as a likely first-round pick.

'œWish it could have ended differently but it's nothing but up from here,'ť Williams, who also returned two kicks for touchdowns, wrote on Instagram.

Neal, a 6-foot-7, 350-pound left tackle, is regarded as a potential top-5 draft pick.

He started 39 games in three seasons, playing left guard in 2019 and right tackle in 2020 before moving to left tackle as a junior.

The Tide won the Southeastern Conference title.

Neal was selected as a permanent team captain in 2021. He was a consensus first-team All-American and earned second-team AP All-America honors.

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Alabama's Jameson Williams injures his knee after a catch during the first half of the College Football Playoff championship football game against Georgia Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) The Associated Press

FILE - Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) scores a touchdown against the Miami during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. Alabama plays Georgia in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File) The Associated Press

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