Elite RB Zach Evans' Recent Timeline Likely to Extend Into Spring
National Signing Day, set for Wednesday February 5. provides some finality to the next wave of football stars -- unless it doesn’t.
In the case of running back Zach Evans there hasn’t been much in his recruitment that would be considered conventional.
There has never been a doubt of the Texas native’s talent as a running back. Despite missing several games over the last three years he has compiled about 5,000 yards and 75 touchdowns against great competition. He was the MVP of the Under Armour All-America Game and reeled in 44 scholarship offers in the process.
But beginning early in the 2019 season, when he was suspended for a violation of team rules, things began to change. Evans would shine when he was on the field, but he would miss some of his team’s biggest moments, including the state championship game for another suspension.
Evans wanted to sign a Letter of Intent with Georgia and not have the program announce the news until he could do so on television at the Under Armour event January 2, but earlier that day SI All-American first reported that would not happen. During the broadcast, he would publicly apologize to his “college coaches” for his mistakes.
The SI All-American honorable mention selection has since taken January official visits within the SEC and the only certainty with the recruitment may be that he winds up playing somewhere in that conference next fall.
Timeline
Aug. 2019: Evans suspended multiple games for a violation of team rules.
Sept. 20: Via Twitter, Evans announces he’s made a private decision. At the time, many in the industry assumed the pick was LSU or Georgia.
Dec. 14: Evans misses the first half of a playoff game because of the ACT.
Dec. 19: Signs a National Letter of Intent with Georgia with plans to announce the news publicly Jan. 2 during the Under Armour All-America Game television broadcast.
Dec. 21: Evans doesn’t play in North Shore’s state championship game because of another violation of team rules, reportedly regarding a cell phone.
Dec. 28: Confirms to multiple reporters he signed an LOI with a program with intentions to announce a decision at UAAAG. Gives indication that the school he signed with recently placed a rookie running back in the Super Bowl (Sony Michel and the Patriots).
Jan. 2: SI All-American is first to report that Evans is no longer expected to announce during the broadcast. Hours later, Evans would offer an apology to his “college coaches” during the broadcast with the help of game coach Deion Sanders.
Jan. 7: Evans is released from his LOI by Georgia and free to resume contact and take visits to other programs.
Jan. 17: Ole Miss hosts Evans for an official visit.
Jan. 24: Tennessee hosts Evans for an official visit.
Jan. 31: Evans indicates he would like to have taken another visit but likely did not, per SEC sources. Could take remaining official visit in March. LSU and Texas A&M hosted him in 2019 with Ole Miss and Tennessee doing so in January.
February 5: National Signing Day. Does Evans sign another LOI? Does he sign a Financial Aid Agreement or perhaps more than one? Does he simply commit to a school only to enroll later? Is the junior college route going to be involved in some sense?
All questions will be left unanswered while almost all of the rest of America’s football stars make their decisions official. The winning program will have to play patient but Evans could be worth the wait.
Brooks Austin contributed to this feature.
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