Strengths: pass-catching abilities, toughness
Zach Evans is 5’10”, 185-pound running back from Rockwall, TX. Evans committed to the Gophers over offers from Iowa, Notre Dame, Texas, and Arizona State among others. As a junior, Zach had 196 carries for 1,223 yards on his way to earning All-District honors.
Evans is a tough, hard-nosed back who possesses solid balance and a willingness to fight to extra yards. His film shows him winning 1v1 battles in the hole and finishing forward each time which is an underrated trait for a running back. I also like the vision Zach displays through the hole, where is slow to then fast through.
While Evans doesn’t exhibit elite top end speed, I’m not too worried about that. I think that is a bit of an overrated trait for a RB and his speed is sufficient. What I do notice, however, is that Zach does have a tendency to overcut. There are multiple clips where Evans cuts two to three times at the second level which won’t work at the Division I level. Coach Burns will need to work with Evans on making his one-cut, then go.
The running back room is starting to become a loaded one with Trey Potts, Cam Wiley, Ky Thomas, and Mar’Keise Irving already there. Evans can earn his spot as the tough, hard-nosed runner that is a change of pace from some of the others above.
Zach Evans is 5’10”, 185-pound running back from Rockwall, TX. Evans committed to the Gophers over offers from Iowa, Notre Dame, Texas, and Arizona State among others. As a junior, Zach had 196 carries for 1,223 yards on his way to earning All-District honors.
Evans is a tough, hard-nosed back who possesses solid balance and a willingness to fight to extra yards. His film shows him winning 1v1 battles in the hole and finishing forward each time which is an underrated trait for a running back. I also like the vision Zach displays through the hole, where is slow to then fast through.
While Evans doesn’t exhibit elite top end speed, I’m not too worried about that. I think that is a bit of an overrated trait for a RB and his speed is sufficient. What I do notice, however, is that Zach does have a tendency to overcut. There are multiple clips where Evans cuts two to three times at the second level which won’t work at the Division I level. Coach Burns will need to work with Evans on making his one-cut, then go.
The running back room is starting to become a loaded one with Trey Potts, Cam Wiley, Ky Thomas, and Mar’Keise Irving already there. Evans can earn his spot as the tough, hard-nosed runner that is a change of pace from some of the others above.
