Making The Case: Zachary Evans
The Early Signing Period is only days away and it's officially crunch time on the recruiting calendar as verbal commitments turn to signatures on National Letters of Intent.
One of the top prospects under the spotlight is five-star running back Zachary Evans, who for a while has whittled his list of schools down to a quartet of SEC contenders in LSU, Alabama, Texas A&M and Georgia. Evans has flirted with committing on multiple occasions this fall, but will sign on Dec. 18 and go public with the decision on Jan. 2 at the Under Armour All-America Game.
Analysts and publishers from the Rivals network take a closer look at where one of the most sought-after running backs in the country will land.
MORE: Farrell's predictions | Coaches who need to hit home runs on National Signing Day
CLASS OF 2020 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | Statea
THE SITUATION
Evans has leaned in a number of different directions over the past year. In the spring, Texas was the team buzzing with the five-star. Georgia became a team trending soon after and, at one point, this fall it felt like the Bulldogs were in line to pair Evans and fellow five-star Kendall Milton.
Evans made a string of visits to Alabama in the summertime and during the season. The same goes for LSU, which had opportunities to privately host the elite running back in the spring, summer and for his lone official visit in October for the Auburn game.
Texas A&M is the lone Texas team in the mix and the Aggies have kept things close with Evans. Five-star Demond Demas is recruiting Evans to join him in College Station and there have been unofficial visits reported as of late.
ALABAMA
“Alabama recruited Evans for a long time. His recruitment has been a wild ride. Alabama decided to exit the ride a month or so ago and turn its attention to other targets. He will not sign with Alabama.”
- Andrew Bone, BamaInsider.com
GEORGIA
"Back in September, Evans to Georgia seemed like a done deal. Then there was a suspension from his team, multiple rumored commitment dates that came and went, and the two parties just seemed to gradually drift apart. That's where it feels things still stand. Evans is a 'what might have been' for Georgia, and I don't expect he'll shock and choose the Bulldogs."
- Jake Reuse, UGASports.com
LSU
"There have been few constants in Evans' recruitment, but LSU has been one of them. Evans has long listed the Tigers among his leaders and for good reason. The Tigers have a history at running back, along with a current need, and the trust is there due to the history of Northshore players playing collegiate ball in Baton Rouge. Ed Orgeron is knocking every pitch out of the park this year, so it is only fitting that he clears the bases with a moon shot in the bottom of the ninth inning."
- Jimmy Smith, TigerDetails.com
TEXAS A&M
"Why would Evans pick A&M? A few reasons. First, it’s close to home. Second, a lot of his friends, including Demond Demas, will be Aggies. And those are nice things.
"Now, let’s get serious: the Aggies are a run-first offense with talent in the backfield, with Isaiah Spiller and Jashaun Corbin both back for 2020. But would that scare off an elite talent like Evans? Unlikely. The odds that he’d be getting carries on a team that is poised to make noise during his freshman season is a lot more likely, especially when you look at A&M’s schedule and the turnover hitting other big programs in the SEC West."
- Mark Passwaters, AggieYell.com
THE VERDICT
"I think Evans picks LSU. This one has been all over the map from a near commitment to Georgia in the summer to Texas A&M having the momentum to LSU now. He has a good feel for the staff and how he fits in the offense there."
- Mike Farrell, Rivals.com National Recruiting Director