Interview: Evan Weaver overcoming northwest recruiting bias showing out as one of the nation’s best defensive ends

Written by Ryan Wright

Different recruiting services have different ways of evaluating high school athletes year after year. Some analyst scout games, others attend camps, some even watch hours of highlight reels, or all of the above while others seem to just throw a dart towards a sign that reads 5-star, 4-star, 3-star, etc… With the 3-star recruiting ranking for Gonzaga Prep’s Evan Weaver it seems at least one evaluator is really into tossing darts.

Weaver is an apex predator at defensive end lining up at 6’3”, 240 pounds. The Class of 2016 standout, as a defensive end sometimes defensive lineman, racked up 123 tackles shutting down opposing Washington high school offenses with 37 tackles for a loss last season. When the junior was finished with the 2014 season he had compiled a list of awards most 4-stars dream of receiving. He was selected as a First-Team All-State performer by the AP, Seattle Times, and Tacoma News and received Defensive MVP All-Area Inland Northwest honors. The list of accomplishments leans more towards a 5-star senior than a 3-star performer.

Despite the snub by some recruiting services, Weaver’s on the field abilities have not been lost on college recruiters. To date 12 programs want the Spokane area native on their roster come the fall of 2016. The list includes Washington State, Utah, Cal, Oregon State, Army, Colorado State, Idaho, Montana, UNLV, Wyoming, Washington, Arizona, and Boise State. The next line of potential suitors includes USC, Oregon, Alabama, Notre Dame, Arizona State, and Missouri among others.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview I sat down with one of the nation’s best defensive ends covering his offseason workouts, camps, a look ahead to the 2015 season, and an update on recruiting.

 

Evan, Gonzaga Prep had a great season going 10-2 last year, did the team expect to have that much success going into the schedule?

“Yeah, we felt pretty good about ourselves. We knew that we had a great defense, which we proved with two shutout games. We should be better next year.”

How does the team look heading into next year?

“We should be way better this year. We’re thinking championship contending.”

Which phase of the game will be the strength for the team in 2015?

“Definitely the defense, because we have a lot of kids coming back from last year.”

What are your strengths on the field as a defensive lineman?

“My motor, my intensity, and my speed. Those three things carry me through every play. My willingness to want to make every single tackle.”

What are your goals for the 2015 football season?

“I want to win state and I want to win defensive MVP again. I don’t really have personal goals. My goals are all more team goals. I just want to win state and have the best senior year possible.”

You lined up at running back some last year. Will we see more of you carrying the pigskin in 2015?

“Yeah, I’m going to play a lot more running back this year. We’ve been working with me doing that and it’s gone really well so far. I’ll be playing a lot more running back and I’m going to be moving all over the defense too, should be pretty exciting.”

Have you had a chance to look at the game schedule yet and if so which games are looking forward to playing this year?

“We play our normal league opponents. The two games outside or league are Bellarmine Prep and Richland. They’re normally really good. That will be interesting facing them. Ferris always plays us tough. Those are three games I’m really excited to play. I just love playing. I don’t care who we play and when we play them. I’ll just go out there and do my best and hopefully we’ll come out with a win for the team.”

What have you been doing in the offseason to prepare for your senior year?

“We have team strength and speed training. I’m also going to a speed and agility specialist and a power specialist. I’m working out with them about four times a week on top of the five days a week we are doing team stuff. We’re also doing a play-run practice where we are doing one-on-ones and that type of stuff.”

I know you’ve been a busy guy with camps in the offseason. Which camps have you attended so far?

“I’ve been to UDUB (Washington), Northwest Elite, I went to University of Oregon, and The Opening regional in Eugene and I’m also going to USC next week.”

How did The Opening camp go for you?

“It was great. I did really well. I scored a 101.92 SPARQ rating. I was in the Top 5 for the o-line/d-line thing.”

How did the Oregon camp go for you?

“I had a workout with Don Pellum (defensive coordinator). They see me more as a linebacker. They said they loved my speed and everything and were really surprised with my quickness and how big I actually am. They’re just taking their time, I’m not sure if I’ll get an offer there. They will contact me within the next week.”

I have that you currently hold 12 offers, is that the right count?

“Yeah I have offers from Washington, Arizona, Boise State, Washington State, Utah, Cal, Army, Colorado State, Idaho, Montana, UNLV, and Wyoming.”

Which schools are showing interest in you that have not offered you yet?

“Arizona State, Alabama, Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Oregon, USC, Purdue, and Oregon State are all showing interest.”

Are there a couple of programs showing more interest than the others?

“They’re all about equal as of right now. Everything in my recruiting process has been a surprise so far. I couldn’t really tell ya.”

Have you released a list of favorites yet?

“I have not.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?

“Yeah, I’ve taken a few unofficial visits. I’ve been to WSU (Washington State), Cal, UDUB, Utah, Boise State, Oregon, and USC. I’m going to Arizona in three weeks. I’ve also been to UCLA.”

How did the USC unofficial go?

“It went really good. I like Coach (Justin) Wilcox (defensive coordinator). He really likes me. I’ve known him since he was at UDUB. We have a good relationship.”

How did the UDUB visit go?

“It went well. I met with Coach (Chris) Petersen (head coach) for about 45 minutes. That’s the trip when I got offered. We talked about where they see me and where they want me, all sorts of stuff.”

How did your trip to UCLA go?

“That went very well as well. I met with Scott White (linebackers coach). He showed me and my parents around campus. We got to tour the facilities and talk a little bit about football.”

When you are in town for the USC camp will you visit UCLA at all?

“I don’t know. I don’t think so. I’m not really sure. I talked to Scott White for a while at the Northwest Elite. I’m not sure if I’ll have time to go to UCLA.”

You have a lot of offers already and look to be on the track to pick up a lot more. Do you have a timeline on when you might verbally commit to a given school?

“I’m going to narrow it down in the middle of July or early August. I’m not sure when I will make my decision after that.”

When you do decide to make that verbal commitment what will influence your final decision on where you will play your college ball?

“Academics, playing time, and a winning program.”

Do you play any other sports for Gonzaga?

“Yeah, I play baseball.”

Which positions?

“Centerfield and I hit leadoff.”

How does a big guy like you leadoff and not hit in the three or four hole?

“I’m the fastest guy on the team.”

What is your favorite part about playing football?

“Getting to hit people. Running around and hitting people as hard as you want and winning.”

 

Photo credit: scout.com; Evan at The Opening in Eugene, Oregon.

Photo credit: 247sports.com; No. 89 Evan Weaver gets another sack.

Photo credit: Evan Weaver; Evan at Washington State.