Georgia linebacker Donta Evans covets offer from Gamecocks

Class of 2016 linebacker Donta Evans of Lawrenceville, Ga., who once played for Lake Marion, would have strong interest in playing his college football in his home state if he received an offer from one of the big boys.

Clemson and USC have shown interest in him, with the Gamecocks appearing closer to making the offer than Clemson.

USC recruiter G.A. Mangus checked in on Evans (6-2, 227) last week at his school and plans to come back for another look when spring practice begins next week.

“I think he’s going to be back on the 30th to come watch me move,” Evans said. “That was the big question for some schools. I put on a lot of weight. I look good. I’m pretty toned. They just want to make sure I can move, so they are going to come back and see me this spring and I think they will often me then. Any offer you get is special, but it being from my home state, that’s always a big one. I have a lot of family members and old friends pushing me to go there.”

And Evans insists he moves just fine on the football field.

“I can move pretty well,” he said. “Just to prove it, I went to a Rivals camp and I did pretty good. I was the No. 13 overall performer and in my scouting report they say ‘covers well in space and covers what comes out of the backfield.’ I think I did a pretty good job.”

Evans visited Clemson for a spring practice a few weeks ago and said the defensive numbers at his position may preclude the Tigers from pursuing him.

“They only graduate one inside linebacker so I’m not too sure (about an offer),” Evans said. “I know they are going to slow play it.”

Evans also visited Illinois, Ohio State, Kentucky, Louisville, Auburn and Tennessee in the spring. He will visit Ole Miss, USC, Georgia, Tennessee and Boston College in the weeks ahead and thinks he’ll get offers from them on his visits. He has offers from Auburn, Louisville, Kentucky, NC State, North Carolina, Wake Forest and Illinois.

Evans doesn’t have favorites, but he does have a commitment date. His birthday is Sept. 1, and he plans to return to his Orangeburg home that week to be with his family and then announce his decision on Sept. 6.

This story was originally published April 24, 2015 at 10:42 AM with the headline "Georgia linebacker Donta Evans covets offer from Gamecocks."