NSD 2020: Lasting memory of this year's class

With National Signing Day just a few days away, the Rivals analysts are asked about their lasting memory from the 2020 class?

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MORE NSD 2020: Which assistant is crushing it on the recruiting trail? | Which final weekend visit stands out? | What surprise is in store? | Which prospect is the most likely to flip? | Which program could have the best finish? | Farrell's thoughts on 2020 rankings | Biggest SEC questions | Which hire has been the most important?

CLASS OF 2020 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State

CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State

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For me, this will always be the Zach Evans class. No matter where he lands or how his career goes, his saga won’t soon be forgotten. There have been twists, turns and intrigue littered along the way. If there was a recruiting hall of fame, my man would have his own wing.

What I should remember about this 2020 recruiting class is the many highly-rated and super-talented prospects in my region but what will probably stick with me even more is the Zachary Evans drama. It’s so weird because he’s never publicly announced a commitment but it feels like he’s been committed to a dozen teams. Texas A&M, Georgia, Tennessee, LSU, Alabama, Ole Miss and I’m sure I’m missing one or two more schools have all been linked to Evans. It really is one of the strangest recruitments I’ve followed.

A lot of people here are talking about Zach Evans and that’s understandable but I’m going to go in a different direction and that’s the debate between Alabama signee Bryce Young and Clemson signee D.J. Uiagalelei, who was No. 1 overall for a long time in the 2020 class.

Young had such a phenomenal senior season and he looked great at the All-American Bowl and it was decided to move him to No. 2 overall behind only DL Bryan Bresee.

Uiagalelei has such unique physical traits and a live arm, and that’s why he finished third in the class. Only time will tell if we got it right but both Young and Uiagalelei could have huge college careers.

When I think about the class of 2018 now, and the quarterback rivalry between Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields obviously comes to mind first with their success thus far in college.

That will also be what I remember most about this 2020 class – the two quarterbacks at the top, battling at the All-American Bowl, performing impressively and Bryce Young just edging out D.J. Uiagalelei to be the top-ranked quarterback in the class.

I expect that to be my strongest memory of this class because I expect both prospects to be among college football's best in a couple years, just like Fields and Lawrence are now.

It has to be following Zachary Evans’ recruitment. I’ve been in this industry for more than 15 years, and I don’t recall anything like this. He has been linked to four or five schools along the way, he signed a letter on intent with Georgia, he was released for it days later, and he may not sign with anyone on National Signing Day, then just show up somewhere in June.

He is so talented, but that has been overshadowed by the drama around his recruitment. Whomever lands him will get an elite talent, but there will be a risk with what could be a huge reward for that coaching staff and school. His story has been one extremely hard to follow, but yet very entertaining at the same time.

When it comes to the 2020 class, I can’t help but remember the ongoing drama surrounding Zach Evans. He’s undoubtedly one of the best prospects in America, but his recruitment has zigged and zagged so many ways that it’s been a roller-coaster to cover.

Texas was the front-runner heading into the 2019 calendar year, but Rivals prepared for commitments to Georgia, LSU and Texas A&M since. Only a privately signed letter of intent, a delayed public announcement and being released by a program has transpired since.

Now, it’s either Ole Miss or Tennessee – or an unknown third party – that will land Evans’ commitment. Whenever that may be.

The lasting memory will be the Zachary Evans saga, especially because I’m not really sure it’s going to end on Wednesday. He’s been through so many ups and downs, and it’s not out of the question that we are covering his recruitment well into the spring and then perhaps again in the transfer market in the future.