Alabama Crimson Tide: Rashaan Evans
Each week, Tales From The Road provides news and updates about where Alabama’s coaches are recruiting and which prospects are getting noticed.
This week’s targets: Alabama has traveled coast to coast this spring, but this week the staff is putting an emphasis on the Southeast, specifically its home state. UA assistant coach Lance Thompson plans to make a trip back to Mobile where he will no doubt make a stop at St. Paul’s Episcopal to see Auburn commitments Josh Casher and Tre' Williams. Kirby Smart made a stop at Montgomery (Ala.) Carver to see ESPN 150 linebacker commitment Shaun Dion Hamilton. He’ll also be spending a couple days in West Georgia, checking in with top programs like Sandy Creek, Newnan and Carver, the home of 2015 commitment Mekhi Brown.
Area of interest: There aren’t many Californians on the Alabama roster, but the staff seems to be putting more emphasis on the state with the 2014 class. Tide assistant coaches Greg Brown and Doug Nussmeier were both on the West Coast last week checking out prospects. The biggest name is ESPN 150 tight end Tyler Luatua (La Mirada, Calif./La Mirada), the brother of UA offensive lineman Issac Luatua, but the Tide also have offers out to a pair of ESPN 150 offensive linemen, Damien Mama (Bellflower, Calif./John Bosco) and Viane Talamaivao (Corona, Ca./Centennial). All three prospects want to visit Tuscaloosa.
This week’s targets: Alabama has traveled coast to coast this spring, but this week the staff is putting an emphasis on the Southeast, specifically its home state. UA assistant coach Lance Thompson plans to make a trip back to Mobile where he will no doubt make a stop at St. Paul’s Episcopal to see Auburn commitments Josh Casher and Tre' Williams. Kirby Smart made a stop at Montgomery (Ala.) Carver to see ESPN 150 linebacker commitment Shaun Dion Hamilton. He’ll also be spending a couple days in West Georgia, checking in with top programs like Sandy Creek, Newnan and Carver, the home of 2015 commitment Mekhi Brown.
Area of interest: There aren’t many Californians on the Alabama roster, but the staff seems to be putting more emphasis on the state with the 2014 class. Tide assistant coaches Greg Brown and Doug Nussmeier were both on the West Coast last week checking out prospects. The biggest name is ESPN 150 tight end Tyler Luatua (La Mirada, Calif./La Mirada), the brother of UA offensive lineman Issac Luatua, but the Tide also have offers out to a pair of ESPN 150 offensive linemen, Damien Mama (Bellflower, Calif./John Bosco) and Viane Talamaivao (Corona, Ca./Centennial). All three prospects want to visit Tuscaloosa.
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The RN Top 10 will appear throughout the camp and combine season and rank prospects based strictly on their on-field performance at that particular event. It does not reflect what their overall prospect ranking will be when the 2014 rankings are unveiled this spring.
BUFORD, Ga. – With 276 players taking part in the Atlanta Nike Football Training Camp on Saturday, there were dozens of prospects in the 2014, 2015 and 2016 classes who had already been offered by FBS programs. Six of the participants were awarded invitations to the The Opening later the summer.
10. Terronne Prescod
Lithonia (Ga.) Columbia |OG|6-foot-4, 320 pounds
The offensive linemen at the Atlanta NFTC were not an overly impressive group, but Prescod stood out, not just because of his hairstyle. He locked up and drove back multiple defensive tackles and showed an impressive base.
Prescod is approaching 10 offers, and has scholarship opportunities with Missouri, Ole Miss and Virginia. At the moment, Prescod says Missouri is standing out. Watch out for Auburn if they offer, as they seem to be the school he feels most at home with right now.
Craig Haubert’s take: “Prescod did a nice job in the offensive line group that was not among the strongest at the NFTC this year. He showed good bend and strong punch and he has outstanding size, both in height and bulk.”
BUFORD, Ga. – With 276 players taking part in the Atlanta Nike Football Training Camp on Saturday, there were dozens of prospects in the 2014, 2015 and 2016 classes who had already been offered by FBS programs. Six of the participants were awarded invitations to the The Opening later the summer.
10. Terronne Prescod
Lithonia (Ga.) Columbia |OG|6-foot-4, 320 pounds
The offensive linemen at the Atlanta NFTC were not an overly impressive group, but Prescod stood out, not just because of his hairstyle. He locked up and drove back multiple defensive tackles and showed an impressive base.
Prescod is approaching 10 offers, and has scholarship opportunities with Missouri, Ole Miss and Virginia. At the moment, Prescod says Missouri is standing out. Watch out for Auburn if they offer, as they seem to be the school he feels most at home with right now.
Craig Haubert’s take: “Prescod did a nice job in the offensive line group that was not among the strongest at the NFTC this year. He showed good bend and strong punch and he has outstanding size, both in height and bulk.”
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BUFORD, Ga. -- The Southeast, in particular Georgia, prides itself on its football talent. When the 2013 Nike Football Training Camp tour made a stop outside of Atlanta on Saturday, the recruits who participated did not disappoint. After a competitive Saturday, dominated for the most part by the defensive line, six players earned invitations to The Opening.
Recruiting Nation’s Greg Ostendorf attended the camp. Here’s what he learned:
Headed to Oregon
Recruiting Nation’s Greg Ostendorf attended the camp. Here’s what he learned:
Headed to Oregon
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Auburn (Ala.) outside linebacker Rashaan Evans holds 22 offers, but the fact that his entire family is Auburn alumni could make it hard for the ESPN Watch List junior to play elsewhere. Evans spoke with Radi Nabulsi after the Atlanta SPARQ Combine.
ATLANTA -- More than 1,700 student-athletes took part Saturday in the Nike SPARQ Combine here, a record for the event. Players from across the Southeast braved freezing conditions, snow flurries and significant wind chill to compete and test their athletic ability in the 40-yard dash, 20-yard shuttle, vertical jump and power ball throw. Below are the standouts from the event, which includes several prominent recruits and some off-the-radar prospects for the 2014 and 2015 classes.
Top SPARQ Ratings
Daryl Rollins, RB (Knoxville, Tenn./Fulton) - 111.21
Dillon Bates, LB, (Ponte Vedra, Fla./Ponte Vedra) - 109.05
Nick Chubb, ESPN Watch List RB (Cedartown, Ga./Cedartown) - 107.16
Khari Blasingame, DB (Huntsville, Ala./Buckhorn) - 106.89
Taj Griffin, 2015 RB (Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern) - 105.42
Top 40-yard dashes
Top SPARQ Ratings
Daryl Rollins, RB (Knoxville, Tenn./Fulton) - 111.21
Dillon Bates, LB, (Ponte Vedra, Fla./Ponte Vedra) - 109.05
Nick Chubb, ESPN Watch List RB (Cedartown, Ga./Cedartown) - 107.16
Khari Blasingame, DB (Huntsville, Ala./Buckhorn) - 106.89
Taj Griffin, 2015 RB (Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern) - 105.42
Top 40-yard dashes
Bama's junior day impresses LB Evans 
January, 26, 2013
Jan 26
7:36
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama keeps trending upward for ESPN Watch List linebacker Rashaan Evans, an Auburn legacy. The in-state star visited Tuscaloosa on Saturday for the Crimson Tide’s first junior day and came away impressed.
“It went pretty good,” Evans said. “They gave us a tour of the facilities and the new weight room they’re about to put in. It’s huge. It’s almost double from what they had originally had, so it’s going to be huge. And it’s right across from the indoor facility.”
Evans, who already has an Alabama offer, didn’t get a chance to speak with head coach Nick Saban. Instead, he spent most of his time with UA defensive coordinator Kirby Smart.
“It went pretty good,” Evans said. “They gave us a tour of the facilities and the new weight room they’re about to put in. It’s huge. It’s almost double from what they had originally had, so it’s going to be huge. And it’s right across from the indoor facility.”
Evans, who already has an Alabama offer, didn’t get a chance to speak with head coach Nick Saban. Instead, he spent most of his time with UA defensive coordinator Kirby Smart.
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Recruit roundtable: Getting to the NFL
January, 25, 2013
Jan 25
8:16
AM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- After winning back-to-back national championships, the University of Alabama is on top of the college football world right now. The Crimson Tide currently have the No. 2 recruiting class and could have up to six players taken in the first round of April’s NFL draft.
This weekend, the Alabama coaches will host some of the top 2014 prospects in the country for the Crimson Tide’s first junior day.
We talked to five of the players expected to attend -- Bryson Allen-Williams, Nick Chubb, Rashaan Evans, Shaun Dion Hamilton and Justin Thornton -- about recruiting, getting to the NFL and the chance to play for UA head coach Nick Saban.
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Saban checks in on Watch List LB Evans
January, 16, 2013
Jan 16
9:56
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama head coach Nick Saban was in Auburn, Ala., on Wednesday along with defensive coordinator Kirby Smart. The two made a stop at Auburn High School to see ESPN 150 linebacker Reuben Foster.
However, Foster wasn’t the only recruit they made the trip for. They also checked in on ESPN Watch List linebacker Rashaan Evans, one of the top 2014 prospects in the state.
“It was fun,” Evans said. “They couldn’t have a real conversation with me, but [Saban] was just letting me know that he was wanting to come by and say what’s up. He just told me he was interested in me and to make sure I come down for their junior day.”
However, Foster wasn’t the only recruit they made the trip for. They also checked in on ESPN Watch List linebacker Rashaan Evans, one of the top 2014 prospects in the state.
“It was fun,” Evans said. “They couldn’t have a real conversation with me, but [Saban] was just letting me know that he was wanting to come by and say what’s up. He just told me he was interested in me and to make sure I come down for their junior day.”
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The O-zone: A look ahead to signing day
January, 16, 2013
Jan 16
9:00
AM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- On Monday, the University of Alabama picked up commitment No. 21 for the class of 2013 when ESPN 150 defensive end Tim Williams committed to the Crimson Tide following his official visit to Tuscaloosa this past weekend.
With the latest addition, this year’s class is beginning to fill up fast with just a few precious spots still available. This week’s O-zone takes a look at the remaining targets, who Alabama will likely finish with and which top recruits will be on campus this weekend as the Tide celebrate their latest national championship.
With the latest addition, this year’s class is beginning to fill up fast with just a few precious spots still available. This week’s O-zone takes a look at the remaining targets, who Alabama will likely finish with and which top recruits will be on campus this weekend as the Tide celebrate their latest national championship.
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TideNation recruiting writer Greg Ostendorf brings you another edition of The O-zone, a confidential look inside Alabama recruiting. Get the latest updates from the gridiron and the hardwood as it pertains to the Crimson Tide.
Sunshine State trio
Alabama’s top remaining target in 2013 is five-star offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, and the Tide continue to get help recruiting him from ESPN 150 commitments Derrick Henry and DeMarcus Walker. Henry and Walker have pitched the idea of the Florida trio playing together at the next level. Tunsil visited UA earlier this month for the Texas A&M game which just so happened to be the same weekend that Henry was in town. The two talked throughout the visit about the chance to one day be teammates at Alabama. Currently, Tunsil has the Tide in his top two along with Georgia. Unlike the other two, Tunsil is not expected to enroll early and plans to wait until signing day to make a final decision.
Sunshine State trio
Alabama’s top remaining target in 2013 is five-star offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, and the Tide continue to get help recruiting him from ESPN 150 commitments Derrick Henry and DeMarcus Walker. Henry and Walker have pitched the idea of the Florida trio playing together at the next level. Tunsil visited UA earlier this month for the Texas A&M game which just so happened to be the same weekend that Henry was in town. The two talked throughout the visit about the chance to one day be teammates at Alabama. Currently, Tunsil has the Tide in his top two along with Georgia. Unlike the other two, Tunsil is not expected to enroll early and plans to wait until signing day to make a final decision.
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- It was going to be hard to top Alabama’s linebacker class in 2012. The Crimson Tide signed four linebackers, all ranked inside the ESPN 150. Even Denzel Devall, a defensive end in high school, has moved to outside linebacker and made an impact as a true freshman.
The 2013 class got off to a similar start when the nation’s No. 1 linebacker, Reuben Foster, committed to Alabama. However, he later flipped to Auburn, leaving Tide legacy Walker Jones as the only true linebacker in the class.
ESPN 150 defensive end DeMarcus Walker, UA’s top-ranked commitment, is expected to play the Jack linebacker spot when he gets to Tuscaloosa.
The 2013 class got off to a similar start when the nation’s No. 1 linebacker, Reuben Foster, committed to Alabama. However, he later flipped to Auburn, leaving Tide legacy Walker Jones as the only true linebacker in the class.
ESPN 150 defensive end DeMarcus Walker, UA’s top-ranked commitment, is expected to play the Jack linebacker spot when he gets to Tuscaloosa.
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2014 LB Rashaan Evans visits Alabama
October, 28, 2012
10/28/12
11:40
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- ESPN Watch List linebacker Rashaan Evans is from Auburn, Ala. His father played for Auburn University. Most of his family pull for the Tigers in the fall, but that didn’t stop him from visiting the University of Alabama on Saturday.
It was his first trip to Tuscaloosa since he was a freshman.
“Everything went pretty good,” Evans said. “When I got up there, I walked through the facilities again. Just seeing that, it was exciting. I got to walk through weight room. They showed me the training facilities. Overall with what I saw, I was very impressed.”
It was his first trip to Tuscaloosa since he was a freshman.
“Everything went pretty good,” Evans said. “When I got up there, I walked through the facilities again. Just seeing that, it was exciting. I got to walk through weight room. They showed me the training facilities. Overall with what I saw, I was very impressed.”
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala -- The scholarship offers keep piling up for ESPN Watch List linebacker Rashaan Evans, and on Wednesday night, he received yet another SEC offer as Tennessee assistant coach Darin Hinshaw let him know the Vols had offered.
“We’ve been going back and forth,” Evans said. “They told me they were very interested in me and planning on me to come up there and visit sometime.
“That was very important to me. I would watch Tennessee on TV. I got a few family members up there, so I’m probably going to get some calls from them. But getting an offer from Tennessee, I’m very excited about that.”
“We’ve been going back and forth,” Evans said. “They told me they were very interested in me and planning on me to come up there and visit sometime.
“That was very important to me. I would watch Tennessee on TV. I got a few family members up there, so I’m probably going to get some calls from them. But getting an offer from Tennessee, I’m very excited about that.”
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TideNation recruiting writer Greg Ostendorf brings you another edition of The O-zone, a confidential look inside Alabama recruiting. Get the latest updates from the gridiron and the hardwood as it pertains to the Crimson Tide.
Official visitor
Alabama’s only confirmed official visitor to this point might be the Crimson Tide’s most important visitor of the weekend. ESPN 150 wide receiver Robert Foster (Monaca, Pa./Central Valley) announced via Twitter that he is taking his official visit to UA this weekend for the Mississippi State game. Foster is the Tide’s top remaining target at wide receiver. He’s narrowed his list to Alabama, Ohio State and Pittsburgh and will take official visits to the other two schools later this year. The key for Alabama this weekend is to make the Pennsylvania native feel comfortable on his trip and make him feel like he’s at home. Foster has visited Tuscaloosa twice since April.
Official visitor
Alabama’s only confirmed official visitor to this point might be the Crimson Tide’s most important visitor of the weekend. ESPN 150 wide receiver Robert Foster (Monaca, Pa./Central Valley) announced via Twitter that he is taking his official visit to UA this weekend for the Mississippi State game. Foster is the Tide’s top remaining target at wide receiver. He’s narrowed his list to Alabama, Ohio State and Pittsburgh and will take official visits to the other two schools later this year. The key for Alabama this weekend is to make the Pennsylvania native feel comfortable on his trip and make him feel like he’s at home. Foster has visited Tuscaloosa twice since April.
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Alabama offers 2014 DE Rashaan Evans
October, 5, 2012
10/05/12
3:34
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
AUBURN, Ala. -- Rashaan Evans grew up in Auburn. His father played at Auburn with Bo Jackson. His mother, sister, aunt and two uncles all went to Auburn. Needless to say, there’s not a love for the University of Alabama in his family.
However, that didn’t stop the Crimson Tide from offering a scholarship to the 2014 defensive end earlier this week.
“They said they were very interested and looking forward to me coming up there to see the campus and stuff like that,” Evans said.
However, that didn’t stop the Crimson Tide from offering a scholarship to the 2014 defensive end earlier this week.
“They said they were very interested and looking forward to me coming up there to see the campus and stuff like that,” Evans said.
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ABOUT TIDE NATION
Greg Ostendorf
Greg Ostendorf joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama football and basketball recruiting at the Tuscaloosa News and Rivals.com. Ostendorf graduated from the University of Alabama and currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at gsostendorf.espn@gmail.com.
Alex Scarborough
Alex Scarborough joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama athletics and high school football for The Tuscaloosa News. He currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at alexscarborough.espn@gmail.com.