Tyler Booker says Evan Neal helped convince him to choose Alabama

ORLANDO – Tyler Booker had a laundry list of college options to choose from in his recruitment.

The No. 37 overall player on the On3 Consensus Rankings held offers from nearly three dozen programs. Whether it was Florida, Notre Dame, Oregon, or Texas A&M, schools from across the country and in every Power Five conference were after him.

In the end, however, Booker found his next home in Tuscaloosa (Alabama). Booker committed to the Crimson Tide on July 16, 2021, and never wavered on his pledge.

Speaking with On3 after Saturday’s Under Armour All-American walk through session, Booker explained why he chose Alabama.

“Just my whole IMG experience. Just it being the best of the best,” Booker said. “Having everything that I need on a day-to-day basis. But, more importantly, knowing a lot is going to be demanded of me on a day-to-day basis and I’m going to have to perform every day.

“Rent is due every day. That’s the type of mindset.”

IMG connections to Crimson Tide were crucial for Booker

Over the past few years, Alabama has excelled at recruiting elite offensive linemen from IMG Academy. In the 2019 class, they signed consensus five-star Evan Neal; two years later, they signed another top-ranked tackle in J.C. Latham.

Booker, who is originally from New Haven (Connecticut), credited Neal for sealing the deal with the Crimson Tide.

“I feel like the thing that did it for me was speaking with Evan Neal,” Booker said. “He’s a guy who’s been in my shoes. From playing at IMG as a sophomore and then going to Alabama and being an All-American. Having the spotlight on him as an offensive lineman. It was just great to have him as a resource to talk to.

“He told me the same reason why he went to Bama is the same reason why he went to IMG: To compete with the best against the best. Once he said that and put everything in perspective, that’s what also made it a no-brainer.”

At one point, two former IMG Ascenders were on the field together during Friday’s game against Cincinnati. Latham was tasked with coming in at right guard following Emil Ekiyor’s injury.

The development that the true freshman has shown thus far caught Booker’s attention as well.

“Also, just seeing how J.C. has developed, too,” Booker said when elaborating on his decision. “J.C. is a brother to me. He actually played a lot in last night’s game, so I was proud to see that and how much he’s improved. I just know that I would thrive in a program like that.”

Assessment of Alabama’s victory, early prediction for Jan. 10

Latham came in and assisted in creating rushing opportunities for Alabama against the Bearcats. By the time the game concluded, the Crimson Tide rushed for 301 yards — the bulk of which came from Brian Robinson.

Although he was expecting the margin of victory to be greater, Booker knows the team will have their hands full in the national championship.

“We’ve been playing like we’ve been playing all year,” Booker said. “I would like for us to blow these types of teams out a little bit more. We’re getting later in the season, and people are going to give their best shots at us. We’re everybody’s Super Bowl. So, we just got be sharp.

“I feel like we had a pretty complete game but, obviously, we’re going to have to play Georgia a lot better because it’s hard to beat any team twice. Especially a team like Georgia that has a chip on their shoulder.”

On Jan. 10, Alabama and Georgia will face off in a rematch of the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship.

Like that game four years ago, Booker envisions this one coming down to the wire.

“Early prediction for that, I’m going to say 27-24, Bama,” Booker said. “Last second touchdown. That’s what I’m feeling.”