quote:
Five teams remain for the nation’s No. 1 overall player, according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite Rankings.

Five-star running back Zachary Evans (247) cut his list to Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, and Oklahoma on Twitter Tuesday evening.

The Houston (Texas) North Shore product earned an offer from the Crimson Tide in July of 2017. He’s visited the Capstone three times since, with plans to return at some point in the month of June — possibly as early as this upcoming weekend.

"Them, it's just them all around,” Evans told 247Sports of Alabama recently. “They're going to be compete. They lose some, they win some. You're going to come there and compete and be the best."

Alabama has had success recruiting elite backs in recent years. Since 2015, the Tide has signed either the No. 1 or 2-ranked running back each recruiting cycle expect for 2018.

247Sports compares Evans to Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon.
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.

At 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, Evans has verified 4.51 40 speed, a 3.84 shuttle time, and a 37.20-inch vertical jump.

The Tide has one running back committed in its 2020 class already in four-star, in-state standout Roydell Williams.

From previous postings: The Important part of this recruiting effort... Zach Evans has said many times he was going where Damieon decides to go.... see article here The Dotted Line: Teammates Zach Evans, Damieon George discuss recruiting, Texas

quote: HOUSTON — Galena Park North Shore teammates Zachary Evans and Damieon George reaffirmed their intentions to commit to the same football program as spring practice began for the defending Class 6A Division I state champions.

(Last reported Damieon was down to Texas and Bama... with Texas not listed in Zach's final 5...seems either they have split or it's Bama for both)

This post was edited on 5/28/19 at 7:18 pm

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Posted by colbyjacks

Member since Jan 2018

525 posts

Posted on 5/28/19 at 7:16 pm to RollTide66

Odd none of the Texas schools made the cut.

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Posted by YStar

Member since Mar 2013

15214 posts

Posted on 5/28/19 at 7:18 pm to RollTide66

Shocked Texas schools didn't make it.

Glad we're still in although I'm sure UGA will back the brink truck up.

We need to get his OT teammate and secure this kid. He will be great.

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Posted by RollTide66

Atlanta

Member since Nov 2015

3005 posts

Posted on 5/28/19 at 7:26 pm to RollTide66

Alabama commit Brian Branch to visit Georgia and Oklahoma Chad Simmons • Rivals.com @ChadSimmons_

quote:

It has been just over a month since Brandon Branch (Rivals) committed to Alabama. The soon-to-be four-star defensive back out of Tyrone (Ga.) Sandy Creek has not shut his recruitment down though.

He is still in contact with a school that was a finalist for him when he made a decision, and a new school has entered the race this spring.

"Things have been going good with Alabama, but Oklahoma has never backed off and Georgia has come in with an offer, so there are some other schools still in there," said Branch.

"I am going to take another visit to Oklahoma, then visit Georgia one or two times during the season, so I am still looking at those two schools."

Oklahoma has been involved, but Georgia has not. The Sooners were a finalist for the Peach State defensive back, but Georgia came in just a few weeks ago.

Are the Bulldogs too late?
"Georgia admitted that they came in late. Coach [Charlton] Warren told me they should have been recruiting me from the jump, so he is now going to try his best to get me over there and to give them a look.

"I am not sure if I will take an official visit to Georgia yet, but I do know I will be there for a game and take a look at them. They put guys in the league too, they say they are DBU too, so they just want to get me over there. I have been talking to coach Warren a good bit and I am going to give Georgia a chance."

Tennessee finished second in the race for Branch, and the Vols have fallen off in this race, but the Sooners have never slowed things down despite the commitment to the Crimson Tide.

"I have stayed in contact with Oklahoma since I committed to Alabama. Their coaches just keep saying they need defensive backs and they need guys like me to help take their secondary to the next level.

"I am in regular contact with their coaches, that has never changed and I am going to get back out there. I have already taken my official visit there, so it will be an unofficial visit for a game. They are like a big family there and that stands out to me, so they have never gone away."

Branch will be back at Alabama in June at least once, then he plans to return in July. His relationship with the coaches in Tuscaloosa continues to grow.

"I talk to coach [Charles] Kelly about three times a week, I talk to other coaches on the staff and I recently had a FaceTime with coach [Nick] Saban," said Branch. "We are always in contact and that is great. I have really gotten to know them pretty well already.

"I will camp there this summer and go over there to hang out some. I will spend a lot of time with the coaches the next couple of months."

It will not be easy for Georgia or Oklahoma to flip the versatile defensive back, but this one is not over.

"I haven't signed the dotted lines yet, so nothing is official with Alabama. I am keeping my options open a little.

"I still feel good about my commitment, but nothing is done yet."