Football

The Dotted Line: 2020 running back Zachary Evans building legacy at Galena Park North Shore

Posted May 17th, 2018

Mike Craven Hookem.com staff

mcraven@hookem.com

Stay updated on latest Texas Longhorns recruiting news brought to you by Longhorns recruiting beat writer Mike Craven of Hookem.com. The Dotted Line will publish M-F at 10 a.m. each morning to provide Texas fans with an in-depth look at the latest for the Longhorns on the recruiting trail. 

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Running back Zachary Evans is ‘the truth’

A sophomore is already building a legacy at Galena Park North Shore, a program no stranger to elite football talent. The next big thing out of east Houston is five-star running back Zachary Evans.

The 6-1, 205-pound prospect is the No. 1 player on The Next 25 and has a good chance to be the nation’s top-rated running back in the 2020 class.

“I just want people to say that I was the truth when I’m gone. My goal is to live up the expectations and exceed what people think of my potential,” Evans said. “There is a dynasty at Galena Park North Shore (that) helps me. It gives me something to shoot for and it also gives me people to look up to and talk to about my goals and what’s next in life.”

The next step for Evans is to take control of the backfield as a junior after splitting time as a sophomore. It was the first time Evans spent offensive snaps on the sideline in his career, which started at the age of 7. Evans took it in stride, knowing his turn was on its way.

“At first it was hard, but then it humbled me and let me learn more about the game because I was doing mental reps on the sideline,” Evans said. “It helped me evaluate the game and gain an appreciation for football.”

His goals for 2018 are clear.

“I want to lead as a junior,” he said. I’m ready to be the man.”

Evans rushed for 1,483 yards and 27 touchdowns despite sharing time in the backfield. He also caught 27 passes for 270 yards. He was the District 21-6A Newcomer of the Year and the Houston Chronicle Newcomer of the Year. He started his youth football career at wide receiver before moving to running back. It’s a decision he doesn’t regret.

“When I was 7 years old I fell in love with football. I loved to run, so I started as a wide receiver,” Evans said. “As I got bigger, I began to love the aggression and physicality needed to play running back. I like being in the backfield and seeing the whole field.”

Maturing into a five-star recruit

No one prepares a teenager for the limelight. One day, Evans was just another player hoping to make a mark at North Shore. The next, he was a top-flight prospect with offers from every major program in the country. All before he could drive a car.

“It felt good to get that first scholarship (offer),” he said. “It was a relief. I didn’t think I was going to get a ton of offers. It was also nerve-racking and overwhelming when all the attention and offers really started rolling in. It’s surprised me how much recruiting is already blown up for me. I lean on my coaches and go to them to talk about the process.

“It’s helping me mature.”

Texas and Texas A&M are already in the mix. He’s also hearing from schools like Miami, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Penn State and Oklahoma State. Evans holds 34 offers and that number should continue to grow. Notre Dame was the latest to offer, extending him a potential scholarship on May 11. Evans says he won’t narrow his list until after his junior season and that he doesn’t plan on picking a school until his senior season ends.

He already knows what he wants in a college. He also knows what isn’t important to him in the recruiting process.

“Offensive line, that is a big issue for me because I’ve never had an offensive line. Coaching is also important,” Evans said. “Conference and proximity doesn’t matter for me. I don’t mind getting away from home and making my own path.”

He’s already building a relationship with Texas assistant Stan Drayton. Evans respects the football mind of Texas’ running backs coach.

“Stan Drayton is going to teach you how to run the football,” Evans said. “He stresses reading the defense and understanding where the holes will be in a defense.”

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