Update: We added Alabama's fight song to Auburn's video prematurely welcoming Evans. We're sorry, Auburn:
5-star OLB Rashaan Evans commits to Alabama after bio appears on Auburn website
Rashaan Evans has committed to Alabama on National Signing Day, spurning the favored Tigers. Evans is considered perhaps the best outside linebacker in his class.
ESPNU
Five-star outside linebacker Rashaan Evans has made his college choice. On National Signing Day, he committed to Alabama over Auburn, surprisingly.
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Listed at 6’3 and 220 pounds, Evans attends Auburn (Ala.) High School, and hails from the city of the same name. He is considered a five-star by 247sports, Rivals and Scout, all of who rank him as the No. 1 outside linebacker in his class. Only ESPN still ranks Evans as a four-star prospect.
The 247sports composite considers Evans the 15th-best overall player in the 2014 class, ranking him as the best outside linebacker in the country and the second-best player in the state of Alabama.
Evans is a shocking pull for the Tide, given that his dad played for Auburn, his mom graduated from Auburn, he lives in Auburn and would play immediately for the Tigers. Most projections had considered him an almost certain Tigers commit, especially considering how he’d fit into Auburn’s defense and the fact that he’s long resided near campus. But Alabama’s No. 1 national class was able to pull the upset and get even stronger.
Now here’s the awkward part, from just before his announcement, when Auburn apparently was feeling confident ... there’s even a video and everything:
rashaan evans already up on auburn’s official site pic.twitter.com/zZUuBy4Z2x
— martin rickman (@martinrickman) February 5, 2014 SB Nation recruiting guru Bud Elliott is especially high on Evans.
Evans is a really special player. He has excellent quickness off the football. He has the frame to eventually play at north of 250 pounds. He has great length to keep opposing blockers out of his breast plate. He has excellent lateral agility and the ability to strafe down the line while keeping his shoulder pads square. He has a good balance, keeping a solid football position, which allows him to play blocks with power, even against much bigger defenders. And he is surprisingly good in pass coverage considering he plays defensive end in high school.
Evans is just a fun defender to evaluate. There are really no true weaknesses in his game. I think he should play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, as it will allow him to rush the passer a lot, but also play in space.
Evans’ highlights below illustrate why many consider him to be a special player:
