Straight talk with Curt Evans

By Smith/ThaRinger.Com

4.3.10

Hollywood (FL) rising soon to be senior wide receiver Curt Evans is a young man who is efficient with his language.  That doesn’t mean that he has little to say.  However, when he does have something to communicate, he tends to get straight to the heart of it with well chosen and meaning-filled words.  You see, Evans is well aware of the opportunities his football talents have made available to him.  He is equally aware of how easily those prospects could be lost if he doesn’t do things the right way.  Too many people have contributed to his good fortune to allow himself the convenience of selfishness or the ease of apathy.  No, Curt Evans has goals to accomplish both for himself and for those who care for him.  I had the chance to speak with Evans about some of those opportunities and goals and here’s what he had to say.

Smith: Curt, what’s up? How are you?

Evans: I’m doing well.  Just throwing the ball around a little.

Smith: Thanks for taking the time.  I imagine you’re getting sick of talking to guys like me?

Evans: Not yet, no (with a laugh).  It's an interesting process. Like, this time last year I never would of thought I'd be where I'm at.  So, I'm enjoying it.

Smith: That’s good to hear.  Anything in particular you’re looking forward to?  The only thing I know of on your schedule is the trip to OSU for their camp this summer.

Evans: Yeah, we’ll be heading up there again this year too.  That should be a lot of fun just like last year.

Smith: So things went well last summer?  How do you think you performed at the camp?

Evans: There was a senior in front of me they gave the wide receiver award to, but I still got to talk to Coach Tressel and the wide receiver coach.  Johnathan won the DB award and Jerrard the quarterback award.  I’d say we were all happy with how we performed. 

Smith: How about on the season for Chaminade?  How would you grade yourself?

Evans: I was honorable mention all state, 2nd team all Broward, and 2nd team something else but I can't remember what.  I was happy with my performance I guess, but I wouldn’t say I’m satisfied.  There’s too much more for me to do.

Smith: Such as, what?  If you had to pick one thing you need to work on the most, what would it be?

Evans: Honestly, my work ethic.  That's what I have to say the most.  Like, it's not that I don't work hard but to be the best you have to outwork everybody else.  Last year I think I had some junior qualities in me and I know I need to better myself to become a better player and a better leader. 

Smith: Well from what John (Aiken) tells me, you guys are starting that work now.

Evans: Got to.  There’s no other way.  We're in the weight room now and in a few weeks we'll start workouts on the field. Getting back into it.

Smith: Ok, well let’s talk a little about where you’re at right now.  What are your current measurables?

Evans: I’m 6'0", 175 pounds, and my best forty was 4.48 (hand timed at Chaminade).

Smith: Ok so what do you do well, what can you build on?

Evans: Basically getting in the end zone.  I'm elusive so I pride myself on making the first man miss.

Smith: Yeah, you have a little shake in your game?

Evans: That’s what they say (with a laugh).  A lot of people say I kind of have Percy Harvins type of game.  But since I switched to wide receiver, I try to play like Julio Jones.  I'm originally from Alabama and I like his work ethic.  I really like how he operates on the field.  From a defensive standpoint I have to say Deion.  He was the best corner to ever do it so that's who I want to be like.

Smith: How about off the field?  Do you have any role models you try to emulate outside of football?

Evans: I'd have to say my dad.  My dad has faced a lot of adversity. He was an athlete just like me but he ended up having a child and had to handle his family business. He always propped me up and told me 'Be better than I am, don't be like me, be better'.  He's who I'm doing all this for. 

Smith: That’s good to hear.  Being close to your dad like that or other family and friends, will that have an affect on your thinking?  Will you want to stay closer to home because of those relationships?

Evans: Honestly, I want to because of that and for my grandfather.  He didn't get a chance to see my older cousin play (Octavious Hawkins, Soph QB, UMass).  I'll be the 2nd person in my family to go to college, so I want my entire family to be able to see me play. 

Smith: Are there any other factors you’ll consider?

Evans: I'd have to say Coaching. I know the chances of going to the NFL are real low but I want to be able to say I played at the top level I could.  My education is serious business and I know I can fall back on that.  But I want the chance to play with the best.

Smith: So who’s offered you so far? 

Evans: Stanford, Minnesota, Marshall, West Virginia, Clemson, Boston College, Tennessee, Michigan, Nebraska, Ole Miss, South Carolina and Vanderbilt just sent their written offer.

Smith: Who did you follow growing up?

Evans: I'd have to say Alabama cause of how close they were to me.  I'm originally from Alabama.

Smith: Any that haven’t offered but still have your ear?

Evans: Alabama, Florida, Ohio State, Harvard, a lot of schools really.  I'd have to say Boston College.  Coach Ryan emails me every other day to see how I'm doing and I'll call him.  Mostly I've been talking to Vanderbilt and Florida a lot lately.  Probably Vanderbilt more but I've been talking to Florida a lot too.  I've been hoping to talk to Alabama more but right now it's mostly Florida and Vanderbilt.  There's a lot of Ivy league schools I'm looking at also. 

Smith: So I’m guessing you’re all squared away eligibility wise?

Evans: Yeah, I’m good.  I have a 23 ACT but I haven't taken the SAT yet.  My GPA is a 3.5 right now.

Smith: Do you know what you want to major in yet?

Evans: It's probably going to be communications or something to do with education.  I'm probably going to go into teaching.

Smith: How about position?  Are you being recruited exclusively for wide receiver?

Evans: A lot of schools are recruiting me as an athlete.  Actually this was my first year playing wide receiver.  I played more running back before last year but we had a senior running back and I just wanted to get on the field so I switched.  I got some touches at running back but I played more receiver.  So they're recruiting me as an athlete.  Some for cornerback also. 

Smith: How about returning kicks?  Punts?

Evans: Yeah, that's my specialty - punt returns.

Smith: Alright, so with all that, do you have any plan for when you want to decide?

Evans: Not at all.  When I take my visits, I'm just going to feel it out, you know.  Take my dad with me, my mom with me.  When the time comes, the time comes.  But right now I'm really undecided.  Right now, if I had to, I'd say Vanderbilt over all of them but I don't really have a top 3 or anything. 

Smith: Is there anything you want to end with?  A message for the coaches or maybe the fans of schools recruiting you?

Evans: I just want to say that I feel like I have stuff to prove.  I'm kind of under the radar you know.  Like you said, you guys (ThaRinger) aren't the big name yet and haven't been around as long.  I'm kind of the same, I get overlooked a lot.  I got to prove myself I guess. But get ready cause I'm in the game for the long haul!