Interview: 4.5-Star 2018 Florida LS Evan Dvorchik Talks UCF Fit and Offseason Workouts

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The path to Central Florida was a long and winding one for Class of 2018 long snapper Evan Dvorchik. His varsity high school career began as a freshman in Seattle expanding across the miles to two stops in Florida before committing and signing with the Knights after National Signing Day. Starting out as an offensive lineman who also snapped, thanks to offseason camps with Chris Rubio, the 6-2, 238-pound, Lake Mary Prep standout became a 4.5-star ranked snapper who was also an offensive lineman.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized Q&A, I sat down with the graduating senior to find out more about his path from being a 4.5-star rated Chris Rubio long snapper to a future Knights key special teams player.

Interview

Evan, how did your high school career begin as a long snapper?

“Starting as a freshman, I was a starting at defensive end. I thought I was pretty good, but looking back I was not good at all. I did not long snap until late in the season. I thought I was good then at long snapping, but I was not.

“My sophomore year, I was an offensive lineman. Between my sophomore and junior year, I found Chris Rubio. That is when I realized how far off I was. I was not close to the guys at the camps. It took a long time and taking lessons twice a month to close the gap. I watched other people seeing what they are doing. Even a year after the first camp, I was still off. Then one day something clicked, it was a night and day difference.”

Looking back on your high school career, what are your overall thoughts on your performance?

“I never had one bad punt snap. I had one bad PAT snap my junior year, that was during Hurricane Matthew. That was during the early part of the hurricane, we were soaked. Overall, I became more consistent, powerful, and accurate.”

What are you most proud of when thinking about your high school playing career?

“One thing I am proud of is I started all four years on varsity. I think that shows my love for the game and my passion to be the best. I moved around the first couple of years. First, I was in Seattle, then my junior year I was at Winter Park, and then I transferred to Lake Mary Prep. I was named a captain my sophomore and senior year. I started at three different schools and I was a team captain at two of them. I learned a lot of new schemes along the way. I wouldn’t change anything, it has led me to where I am now.”

What are the strengths of your game as a long snapper?

“I have great size, I am versatile, I can run down field, and I can block. I am not a liability on punt or field goals. I snap a crisp ball which is easy for punters to catch. I don’t mess up, and I handle pressure well. I can be counted on to come through. I am confident in what I do. I was always first down on punt coverage; I recovered two fumbles and forced a lot of fair catches last season.”

What was your average snap speed during your senior year?

“In a game, I am about a .70 (seconds). I am about .68 at camps. The pads make the difference.”

Have you clocked your snap speed this offseason, if so, what are you averaging?

“I am averaging about .68. I clock around .65 here and there.”

What are you working on this offseason?

“One thing I am working on is my accuracy. I want to put it on the hip each time. Spiral and speed is great, but consistency is important. I am working on becoming more athletic. Playing against great athletes at UCF, you have to up your game and make plays against great college athletes.”

When did you commit to Central Florida?

“I committed on March 28.”

How did UCF fit as the ideal college and program for you?

“One thing I had been told my mentors and family, the college you go to is not about the name on the jersey. If I get hurt, could I see myself being there for four years? UCF is close to home, about 30 minutes. I love the school and the campus. I will receive a good education there. UCF is a good place to go to school, and not just for football. The new staff, when I saw them during spring practices there was an energy and a vibe. There was a sense to want to win and prove everyone wrong. They had an attractive atmosphere and a great place to call home.”

When do you report?

“I applied for fall semester, not summer sessions. They had already sent their numbers in for fall camp before I committed and signed. I report on the first day of school on Aug. 20.”

What has you most excited about being a college football player?

“I grew up in a college town, in Gainesville. It has been a dream of mine to play college football. I love the sport and the game. This is something I have always wanted to do. I get to be on a championship caliber team. I now have a chance to prove everyone wrong that may have discounted me in the past.”

Did the UCF coaches give you a list of things they wanted you to work on before you report?

“No, nothing specific. When I met with the coaches, they said they want my weight down so I can run downfield as fast as possible. They stressed that blocking and making tackles is part of being a long snapper. They told me ‘you are a great snapper, let’s work on the rest’.”

What is the depth-chart at UCF this fall?

“They have a senior on scholarship and a backup, a redshirt sophomore. I will come in third on the depth chart. I am not expecting anything, I am ready to work. Nothing is given in football, everything is earned. They have talented upperclassmen ahead of me, but I am confident in myself and will work hard to show the coaches why I deserve to start for them when called upon, but I am not expecting anything before I earn it.”

Evan, thanks for your time today and good luck at UCF.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Dvorchik family; Evan Dvorchik at UCF

Photo credit: twitter.com; Evan Dvorchik commitment tweet