Alex Neale moves from center to guard in 2018
Photo by: Andrew Pedersen
CHANGING THINGS UP: Alex Neale Finds a New Home without Moving Far
4/5/2018 9:52:00 AM | Football
Former center moves to guard, which helps align O-Line
BOZEMAN, Montana – Among the position changes in Montana State's spring football camp, one is most accurately be described as a homecoming. Senior Alex Neale started every game in 2016 and '17 at center for the Bobcats, but he's moved a couple of feet to his left for his senior season.
And he couldn't be happier.
"I love it," he said with a smile. "It's weird because when you're not snapping the ball all you really have to do is block and hit people, which is kind of the essence of playing the offensive line."
Neale's willingness to move to guard is partly rooted in his time there during his career before Montana State. Coupled with his ability to excel there, the move has opened a position for redshirt freshman Zach Redd at center. "It's been positive," Choate said of that series of moves, which also includes Lewis Kidd's transition from guard to right tackle. "Alex has been solid at guard. I think he's kind of relieved, not having to snap the ball."
There is truth to that, says Neale, who transferred to MSU from UNLV in 2016. He played both guard and center for the Rebels. "There's a lot less responsibility," he said. "For sure it's different. I played half-and-half (guard and center) at Vegas. It was nice coming back to center. (Concentrating on one position) helped out, for sure."
Choate likes the way his offensive line has clicked into place upon Neale's move. "Zach has the ability to play, he has a really good base, good lower body strength and he can hold his own (physically) in there, that's his best asset," Choate said. "Center is his most natural position. Lewis Kidd has found a home at right tackle, that's much more natural for him (than guard), and I think Mitch Brott has the chance to be a really outstanding left tackle. And Alex and Taylor (Tuiasosopo) have been solid (at the guard positions)."
And he couldn't be happier.
"I love it," he said with a smile. "It's weird because when you're not snapping the ball all you really have to do is block and hit people, which is kind of the essence of playing the offensive line."
Neale's willingness to move to guard is partly rooted in his time there during his career before Montana State. Coupled with his ability to excel there, the move has opened a position for redshirt freshman Zach Redd at center. "It's been positive," Choate said of that series of moves, which also includes Lewis Kidd's transition from guard to right tackle. "Alex has been solid at guard. I think he's kind of relieved, not having to snap the ball."
There is truth to that, says Neale, who transferred to MSU from UNLV in 2016. He played both guard and center for the Rebels. "There's a lot less responsibility," he said. "For sure it's different. I played half-and-half (guard and center) at Vegas. It was nice coming back to center. (Concentrating on one position) helped out, for sure."
Choate likes the way his offensive line has clicked into place upon Neale's move. "Zach has the ability to play, he has a really good base, good lower body strength and he can hold his own (physically) in there, that's his best asset," Choate said. "Center is his most natural position. Lewis Kidd has found a home at right tackle, that's much more natural for him (than guard), and I think Mitch Brott has the chance to be a really outstanding left tackle. And Alex and Taylor (Tuiasosopo) have been solid (at the guard positions)."
Players Mentioned
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