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Tennessee has come in late for elite running back Zachary Evans, making one final push for the five-star prospect to become a Volunteer. The Houston native received a visit from Tennessee’s best recruiter Brian Niedermeyer early last week, who convinced Evans to get up to Knoxville for an official visit just ten days before signing day.
Of course, word got out quickly about the high-profile visit. Students quickly scrambled to go paint the rock on campus. It read “Zach Evans 2020, VFL” — and Evans noticed.
Top RB Zach Evans saw the rock painted for him during his @Vol_Football official visit pic.twitter.com/dbl8O02Vp5
— SI All-American (@SIAllAmerican) January 25, 2020
“They love tha kid here,” Evans posted on his Instagram story.
Evans initially signed with Georgia during the early signing period, but didn’t announce it. He was planning to announce during the Under Armor All-American Game, but didn’t. Eventually, Evans changed his mind and asked for his release from his NLI. Georgia granted that request, opening things back up for several SEC teams to try and land the elite runner.
Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Florida and now Tennessee have each been involved with Evans since. Even after releasing him from his NLI, Georgia has remained involved in the process.
Tennessee has now taken their shot at Evans, attempting to add an elite player and keep him away from SEC rivals in the process. With just several days left in the 2020 cycle, Evans is the main story to follow on signing day on February 5th.