Iowa opportunity is a dream come true for Evans
The recruiting process ended with a flurry as late attention from the Hawkeyes helped them secure a commitment from walk-on linebacker Joe Evans out of Ames. We caught up with the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Evans to discuss his decision.
Q: Why did you pick Iowa?
EVANS: (It) felt like home to me. It's been my dream to be a Hawk.
Q: How long have you followed Iowa for?
EVANS: My whole life.
Q: How does it feel to know you'll be living the dream of playing for Iowa next year?
EVANS: It feels great. I'm just very excited for this opportunity.
Q: What does Iowa think about you as a player and where do they see you projecting out in their system?
EVANS: They want me to play linebacker. They’re not sure what linebacker spot I'll play, just because they don't know how much weight I can gain.
Q: What other schools did you consider?
EVANS: Iowa State.
Q: What sold you on Iowa after the visit that caused you to cancel the Iowa State official visit?
EVANS: Honestly, I talked to my family and knew that Iowa was where I wanted to go. I decided to cancel and commit to Iowa.
Q: How much did the Iowa coaches factor into your decision?
EVANS: A lot. I really enjoyed being around them on the visit. They couldn't have done a better job of selling Iowa to me.
Q: As a three-year starter at quarterback, will it be hard giving up that spot?
EVANS: A little bit actually. I've been playing that for the last four years. My dad played quarterback as well, so it was something my dad and I could always bond over. But I am very excited to start the next chapter and play linebacker.
Q: How big is your family connection to Iowa?
EVANS: My parents both went to Iowa, so the connection is pretty big.
Q: Was it hard growing up as a Hawkeye fan in Ames?
EVANS: A little bit. Everyone around you was a die-hard Cyclone fan and my family was die-hard Hawkeye fans. The Cy-Hawk game was huge for me. If they won, I had bragging rights for a year, but if they lost, I would sure be hearing it from my friends.
Q: How has the reaction been since you committed?
EVANS: Everyone has been very supportive and happy for me.
Q: When did Iowa start recruiting you?
EVANS: About a month ago.
Q: How did recruiting with the Hawkeye coaches begin?
EVANS: They contacted my coach.
Q: Were you surprised to hear from them so late?
EVANS: I was actually. I didn't know where I stood with them before because they talked to me a lot at their camp. Coach Wallace came in and told me where I stood with their program and that was good to hear.
Q: What did Coach Wallace say?
EVANS: Just how they want me to play linebacker and how great of an opportunity it would be to play at Iowa.
Q: After you first talked to him, where did the recruiting process go before you decided?
EVANS: After I talked to him, Coach Morgan came in and talked to me about the program. After that, I went on the visit and felt at home.
Q: What are your plans to get ready for the college level?
EVANS: I plan to workout with Brett Bueker. I have been for the past year now. I know he will do everything to get me ready for Iowa.
As a senior, Evans led Ames High School on both sides of the ball, finishing the season with 2,438 yards passing, 754 yards rushing, and a total of 36 touchdowns on offense to go along with 69 tackles on defense.
See highlights from Evans' senior year at Ames in the video below.
Iowa's Class of 2018 walk-ons:
Colton Dinsdale- 6-foot-0, 212-pound LB from Reinbeck, IA (Iowa Western)
Nick Anderson- 6-foot-3, 230-pound LB from Waukee, IA (Iowa Western)
Matt Fagan- 6-foot-5, 265-pound OL from Council Bluffs, IA (St. Albert)
Turner Pallissard- 6-foot-2, 220-pound FB from Frankfort, IL (Lincoln-Way East)
Blair Brooks- 6-foot-3, 190-pound WR from Marion, IA (Marion)
Connor Ruth- 6-foot-0, 215-pound FB from Seward, NE (Seward)
Kordell Stillmunkes- 5-foot-9, 180-pound WR from Cuba City, WI (Cuba City)
Luke Empen- 6-foot-7, 230-pound TE from Goose Lake, IA (Northeast)
Mitchell Riggs- 6-foot-2, 215-pound LB from West Des Moines, IA (Dowling)
Kyle Sorensen- 6-foot-6, 250-pound OL from Waukee, IA (Waukee)
Nathan Nelson- 6-foot-4, 230-pound DE from Waukee, IA (Waukee)
Mike Timm- 6-foot-1, 220-pound LB from Wales, WI (Kettle Moraine)
John Carlson- 6-foot-4, 190-pound LB from Bondurant, IA (Bondurant-Farrar)
Joe Evans- 6-foot-3, 210-pound LB from Ames, IA (Ames)
Brian Sadler- 6-foot-2, 280-pound OL from Jesup, IA (Jesup)
Jake Morrison- 6-foot-3, 215-pound LB from Waukee, IA (Waukee)