2022 RB Zach Evans discusses Texas offer, fit in Steve Sarkisian’s offense

The recruiting process is beginning to reach new heights for 2022 Rockwall-Heath running back Zach Evans.

After capping a junior campaign that saw the three-star prospect record 1,220 yards and 14 touchdowns on 199 carries, Evans notched his first offer of the new year with the Texas Longhorns officially jumping into the mix on Friday morning.

“I talked to coach (Stan) Drayton and it was real good conversation,” Evans said of getting call about his offer. “Got to talk about schemes and some of what they plan to do if I were to come.”

Evans’ latest offer comes after building a relationship in recent months with the Longhorns running back coach, who was among the few holdovers from Tom Herman’s staff, thanks in part to Drayton’s ability to develop genuine relationships with recruits.

“We’ve been in contact since November,” Evans said. “He’s up-front and I like that.”

As for the man now at the helm of the Texas football program, Steve Sarkisian, Evans said he spoke with the Horns new head coach on FaceTime before Drayton extended the offer, noting Sark’s energy entering the program and how he utilizes running backs.

“He seemed full of energy and ready to get it going,” Evans said of Sarkisian. “I love what he did in Alabama with the RBs. I take pride in route running and catching the ball out of the backfield, so if he can keep that style of offense going, Texas can be special.”

“The least defender player on the field in the passing game is the running back,” Sarkisian recently said in a film session, noting Alabama running back Najee Harris’ impact in the passing game.

At this still fairly-early point in the 2022 cycle, Texas joins 10 other programs with offers out for the 5’9, 185-pound talent, with his offer list including invitations from Arizona State, Utah, Kansas and North Texas. It shouldn’t be long before that list features many more Power 5 programs, though, as USC, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Georgia, Mississippi State, Cal and Baylor are also showing interest in the D-FW product following his breakout junior campaign.

As his recruitment is just beginning to heat up with more major programs getting involved, Evans doesn’t have any preference for which style of offense or conference he plays in — he’ll simply evaluate each option and keep a close eye on potential coaching changes in the coming year.

Of course, that’s a concern that won’t exist as far as Texas is concerned as Sarkisian enters the first year of a six-year deal in Austin.

Meanwhile, Evans will be gearing up for his final season among the high school ranked in hopes of building upon his breakout junior campaign.

“Just want to continue to learn and get better in all aspects of the game and be the best team player possible,” Evans said.

At this point, Evans is ranked as the nation’s No. 63 running back prospect and as the No. 85 player in Texas, per the 247Sports Composite.