Three weeks after putting Ohio State in his top five, 5-star Houston (North Shore High School) running back Zachary Evans will be making an unofficial visit to OSU this weekend. The news of the visit was first reported by Rivals’ Marc Givler.
Evans (5-11 200) was originally reported to be taking an official visit this weekend, but instead he will be paying his own way for an unofficial trip. This would then free him up to take an official visit to Ohio State this coming season.
This was already set to be the Buckeyes’ biggest weekend of recruiting so far this cycle and Evans’ inclusion makes it even bigger.
Ranked the No. 1 running back in the 2020 recruiting class, Evans is the No. 6 player overall per the 247Sports Composite.
Evans (5-11 200) ran a 4.51 40-yard dash at a regional The Opening combine in March. That performance also included an impressive 3.84 20-yard shuttle.
The scouting report from 247Sports describes Evans as a prototype ball carrier.
Dynamically athletic running back with prototype size and frame potential relative to the position. Owns college-ready build with frame space to add more bulk. Flashes elite athleticism verified in combine testing environment. Makes it look easy, sometimes to the point that it’s deceptive. Shows great top-end speed and outstanding close-quarters lateral mobility confirmed by a 3.91 shuttle. Flashes devastating start-stop-start ability in close quarters, coupled with impressive hesitation stutter. Effortlessly strings moves together in the open field to elude multiple defenders. Chameleon in ability to alter running styles, going from elusive darter to hole-punching, straight-line galloper. Home run hitter with high-volume capability. Patient and presses the line of scrimmage to set up blocks. Size and strength potential could provide high ceiling in blitz pickup. At times dances in the backfield rather than accelerating through the hole. Sometimes an upright runner who presents a bigger target. Does not always finish runs with expected strength. Will try to bounce runs too often. Could get on the field immediately at high-major level and become a Power 5 star, in addition to first-round NFL Draft ceiling.
In late May, Evans released a top five of Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, and LSU. Evans took an unofficial visit to Alabama in early June.
Oklahoma already has a verbal commitment from 5-star tailback Jase McClellan, while Alabama has a commitment from the No. 13 running back in the class Roydell Williams. Ohio State hosted 5-star running back Bijan Robinson this past weekend, while Georgia did the same for 5-star tailback Kendall Milton.
When Evans included Ohio State in his top five last month, it was seen as a surprise and many didn’t view it as anything serious. Now that Evans is going to pay his own way to Columbus, however, it is clear that this is more serious than originally thought. And if OSU can get him back on campus for an official visit this season, that will be key as well.
Ohio State will be taking two running backs in the 2020 recruiting class, and given the versatility of some of the backs they are recruiting, perhaps they could take even more.
Four-star Washington running back Sam Adams II is scheduled to be taking an official visit to Ohio State this weekend as well.
