1. Alabama Crimson Tide
The case for Alabama as a landing spot is a great one. Alabama has always recruited very well. More often than not, they end up having the top recruiting class in the country. They also are great at developing running backs. In recent years, backs like Josh Jacobs, Kenyan Drake, and Derrick Henry have gone from the Tide to the NFL, and there are at least half a dozen others that have done the same thing.
If Evans truly wants to go compete with the best of the best, he has to go to the SEC, and he has to join the Tide. He will face a tougher defense at practice than most teams do in the season. Iron sharpens iron, and the Tide has that happen every day in Tuscaloosa.
Another thing that is working in Alabama’s favor is their recent commitment from offensive lineman Damieon George. George and Evans are teammates in high school, and they have mentioned being teammates in college. Alabama doesn’t do package deals, however. They wouldn’t sign George just to land Evans. Both are high on Alabama’s priority list.
The only thing working against the Tide is how much talent at running back Alabama recruits. Last season, Alabama signed Trey Sanders. Assuming he turns out to be everything the program expects him to be, Evans would potentially have to wait until his junior year to be the starting running back. That’s what has happened to Najee Harris, one of the best prospects to come through Alabama. Now, that isn’t always a bad thing. Josh Jacobs was drafted in the first round over Damien Harris despite never being a starting back for the Tide.