A linebacker prospect that has been receiving a lot of interest from both in state schools and powerhouses across the country is Olive Branch’s Michael Evans. At 6-1, 262-lbs., and a 4.9 forty, Michael has experience on both sides of the ball.

He is being recruited as a linebacker or defensive end, but may play some offensive line this year depending on the philosophy of Olive Branch’s new offensive line coach. The former coach left after last season to coach defensive line for South Panola High.

Michael attended the Ole Miss camp last weekend and had a good trip. “I really liked coach Mendoza,” Michael commented after the camp. “He is a really nice guy.

“He is their weightlifting coach and I talked to him a lot. I came in third place in bench press at their camp and I got to know him really well.” Evans benched 405-lbs. during the camp.

Evans has a full slate scheduled this summer as far as camps are concerned. In addition to the Ole Miss camp he has already attended, he has trips planned for Tennessee this Saturday, Southern Miss, Mississippi State, and probably Delta State.

Illinois has been sending him a ton of letters. “That is the school I have heard from the most,” he commented. He has not talked to their coaches personally, but his coaches have had lots of contact. He has also been receiving a lot of letters from Notre Dame and Colorado State.

He has heard from all of the in state schools during the early evaluation period, including Coach Stump from Mississippi State and Coach Mendoza from Ole Miss. Southern Miss has also made contact.

“Coach Joe Lee Dunn is probably my favorite coach, but Coach Mendoza is a real nice guy from Ole Miss. Mississippi State and Illinois, those are my favorite schools right now.

Don’t look for Michael to have any problems qualifying academically. He currently maintains a 3.5 GPA and made an 18 on the ACT as a sophomore, before retaking the test and improving to a 22. He says he may major in computer engineering, but is not sure at this point.