Tennessee reportedly set to check in with five-star running back Zachary Evans

According to a report from 247Sports, Tennessee is at least doing their homework on five-star running back Zachary Evans. The No. 1 back in the 2020 class has been the story of the cycle since the early signing period ended.

Evans was suspended for his high school team’s state title game in December, his second suspension of his senior season. Just a couple of weeks later at the Under Armor All-American Game, Evans told reporters that he had already signed with a school during the early signing period. Turns out he had signed with Georgia — only for the Bulldogs to grant him a full release just days later.

Now the nation’s 14th ranked prospect is one of the biggest non-committed players in the country — and Tennessee is at least feeling the process out. Brian Niedermeyer, Tennessee’s most decorated recruiter, is expected to visit Evans on Tuesday.

Tennessee’s running back room is suddenly pretty deep, but you’ll never turn down an elite talent like Evans. The visit may result in nothing, this might just be a feel-out process to determine whether or not Tennessee wants to pursue him further. After all, there does seem to be some lingering maturity issues here. But why not? Why not see what’s going on here for yourself?

Texas A&M, Ole Miss and Florida have been the main teams attached to Evans since he was released from his Georgia NLI. Eric Gray, Ty Chandler and Tim Jordan are each set to return to the Tennessee backfield, but if you’re Evans, you’ve got to at least think about what it would be like to run behind a line that will likely feature four former five-star recruits.

The 5-11, 200 pound back is electric on the field, featuring long speed, agility and a college ready frame. There are some red flags here, but Evans has all the makings of an impact SEC weapon.