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| Newbury Park defensive back Marques Evans is aiming to become the next Class of 2017 prospect to stack the scholarships now that National Signing Day for the 2016 class has wrapped up (photo by Lorenzo Reyna). |
Now that the
Class of 2016 has rode off into the college football recruiting sunset, many
prospects in the 2017 class are itching to see their name land on a college
football program’s radar.
Newbury Park
High’s Marques Evans – who hasn’t been offered a scholarship yet – is one of
those ’17 players aiming to stack the offers.
One way he
advertises his name to recruiters is by latching on with the Pro Way – the club
team that’s led by the vision of former NFL running back Darick Holmes and
features 2017 studs Keyshawn Johnson Jr. and Darnay Holmes.
Evans is
seen going toe-to-toe against the dynamic receiving duo; as well as the other
Ventura County, Los Angeles County and Central Valley talent that the Pro Way
brings out during practices at Calabasas High. Because Evans has the ability to
backpedal, press and cover against the Pro Way’s top receivers, it gets him to
send this message to college coaches who are looking for a cover corner:
“If I can go
against them, I can go against anybody,” Evans said. “They’re the best in the
Class of 2017 and I hope I can be as good as them. Going against them each day
is a blessing.”
The
6-foot-1, 180-pound cornerback finds himself watching his peers pile the
pledges - plus witness his sophomore quarterback Cameron Rising already receive
offers from Arizona State, Arizona, Houston and Michigan.
Evans,
though, doesn’t sound impatient about his own recruiting process.
“I’m just
waiting for my time,” Evans said. “Yeah, I feel like I’m a little overlooked,
but it gives me motivation to work harder.”
Evans said
he’s in contact with some PAC-12 schools. Saying: “I’m in contact with UCLA and
Washington right now. UCLA coaches direct message me on Twitter.” Evans adds
that Oregon State has shown interest.
He credits
the Pro Way and the atmosphere Holmes provides during practices for helping
mold Evans into the player that he is today.
“The Pro Way
is honestly one of the best things to happen to me,” Evans said. “I’ve been
working with Darick since I was seven. He’s like an uncle to me. He’s part of
the reason why I’m here today along with the other coaches. I would highly
recommend the Pro Way to any guy in Ventura County.
“They break
you down and build you back up,” Evans continued. “Right now, I’m working on
getting a lot more aggressive because that’s one of my weak points. Just using
my arms and length to my advantage against these receivers.”
He’s not
just lacing up his cleats right now to prepare for his senior year or make his recruiting
push, but he finds the time to watch highlight videos of his two favorite NFL
cornerbacks: Josh Norman of the Carolina Panthers and Marcus Peters of the
Kansas City Chiefs.
“With Josh
Norman, I find my game to be really similar to his. With Marcus Peters, he’s a
man coverage dude and I see myself as a man dude,” Evans said. “And with
Norman, he’s a ball hawk. He’s always around the ball and I see myself as
someone who’s a ball hawk.”
During
Friday night games in the 805’s south region, Evans emerged as the Panthers’
top island corner; covering and hovering over receivers and forcing opposing
quarterbacks to throw the football away from his side.
With his
size and overall skillset, it’s bewildering for some people to see an
offer-less Evans. Yet Evans is confident that he’ll be the next Panther and Pro
Way prospect to break out during the new recruiting period.
Said Evans: “I’ve just got to stay patient. My
time is going to come.”
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