Monday, March 11, 2013
2014 LB Tay Evans gets taste of OU
By Bob Przybylo
Allen (Texas) High linebacker Tay Evans had heard all the stories about Oklahoma. His father, Bobby, played basketball for the Sooners.
But Tay Evans had never really experienced the campus for himself until last weekend for OU’s junior day.
Tay Evans enjoyed his recent trip to Oklahoma.
Evans, who is 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, started talking with OU linebackers coach Tim Kish a couple of months ago and his visit only strengthened that relationship.
“Energy. He has a lot of energy,” Evans said. “It was a lot of fun to watch him work. He teaches you, and he’s not somebody who is just going to yell at you the entire time. I really like Coach Kish.”
Evans attended the event with Allen teammate Christian Sam, who already has a Sooners offer. Evans was hopeful one might come his way Saturday, but he understands there is still work to be done, both by himself and OU.
Evans injured his shoulder last season and is still recovering from shoulder surgery. He needs to prove he is 100 percent and can be effective. The Sooners, meanwhile, have their own dilemma with Evans.
“They don’t know if they want me to play outside linebacker or be a speed rush defensive end,” Evans said. “Baylor and Texas Tech have talked about having me at defensive end so it’s something I’ve been told before.”
Evans said OU will need further evaluation with a potential offer coming during the spring period. The lack of an offer is only making him work harder, but he said it has not hurt OU’s standing at all.
He had a lot of fun on the visit, but maybe not as much fun as his father had reminiscing about his days of playing basketball at OU.
“He was telling a lot of stories,” Evans said. “A lot of stories. He would be talking about where he used to go and what he used to do and stuff like that. He had a great time.”
Despite the ties to the program, Evans wasn’t too familiar with the campus or the coaches. But that all changed with junior day. And the weight room really stood out.
“They have a big weight room and a small one. I thought that was interesting,” Evans said. “Not everybody is bunched up. You can take your time and get everything you want done. I like that a lot.”
Evans said getting to meet Tony Jefferson and OU coach Bob Stoops really stood out as did seeing just how big quarterback Blake Bell is in person. Bell is like a lineman, Evans said.
Evans attended Texas’ junior day and said his next planned trip is to Baylor later this month.
