Louisiana: Interview with Evangel Christian Academy Class of 2017 WR Tanner Ash

Written by Charlie Beuttel

Twitter: @charlie_cds3

Shreveport’s (LA) Evangel Christian Academy had a great 2015 campaign finishing 9-3. In the regular season Evangel lost their first game to St. Joseph Prep (PA) but rebounded to win eight of their final nine games to close out the regular season.  In the first round of the playoffs, the Eagles exploded past Holy Cross, 42-7, to advance to the semifinals. In the semifinals Evangel lost a 27-21 overtime heartbreaker to Catholic ending a fantastic run.

A key to their success this past season was their explosive offense which scored on average 36 points a game. The leaders of their offense included junior quarterback Connor Curry, senior wide receiver Corey Henderson, and junior offensive tackle Ethan Harvey. However another star player was junior wide receiver Tanner Ash.

The 6’2”, 205 pound, play-maker caught 46 passes for 756 yards with 10 touchdowns. All season long he used his great route running skills and good hands to tear through defenses as his 756 receiving yards led the team. After the season he received several individual honors including first team All-District.

The Class of 2017 recruit is currently receiving interest from several schools including Baylor, Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Houston, and TCU.

Ash also works hard in the class room where he has a 3.7 GPA. The star wide receiver looks to have an even better senior season in 2016.

In an exclusive Recruiting News Guru interview, I sat down with Tanner to talk about his career at Evangel Christian Academy and his recruiting process.

Interview

What are your thoughts on the 2015 season?

“I’m proud of our team and how far we came. We faced adversity very well but it’s not how we wanted our season to end. We can learn from it and bounce back.”

What are your thoughts on your individual performance?

“It was my best year so far. I still could have contributed more but with my overall performance I’m not satisfied because if I keep working I can better. Selfless plays will help our team win.”

What are your strengths on the football field?

“I definitely would say that I’m smart. I can outsmart whoever is in front of me. I’m not the fastest guy but my route running is good. I also have good hands.”

Did you receive any individual honors?

“First team All-District, honorable mention All-City, in the coaches’ poll I was first team All-State in 5A.”

Are you receiving any interest from any schools?

“Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Tulsa, Florida State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana Tech, SMU, Southern Miss, Nebraska, Missouri, McNeese state, Tennessee, TCU, and Houston.”

Do you have any offers?

“No sir.”

Have you gone on any visits?

“Just to Houston, but I will be going to Oklahoma State, Tulsa, Missouri, and Tennessee in the next couple months.”

How was your visit to Houston?

“It was a good visit. It was very nice. There is a lot of things to do in Houston. The coaching staff was very detailed. It was definitely a good visit.”

Will you attend any camps this summer?

“The opening in Dallas and a Rivals camp but I haven’t decided on which college camps.”

What is your favorite part about playing football?

“I spend time with my football brothers. Hanging out with my teammates.”

Who has had the biggest impact on your football career?

“My grandpa, he’s always been there for me. He’s told what I have to do to reach my goals. He told me to never give up on my goals.”

What is your current GPA?

“3.7.”

What do you want to study in college?

“I want to be an orthodontist, so I want to go to school for that.”

How does Evangel look going into next season?

“I’m highly confident in our team. We lost three offensive starters and just one defensive starter. We’re definitely aren’t going to let this year go by without a state championship. I’m confident in what our team can do next year.”

Your first game next year will be on the road in Allen, Texas. What are your thoughts going into that game?

“It will be a different atmosphere. No matter how people are there in the stands, they can only put 11 on the field like us. If we work hard we can beat them.”

Do you have any goals going into your senior season?

“My team goals are to win state and go undefeated and personally I want an all-American.”

Thank you for your time and good luck in your senior season.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: usatodayhss.com; Evangel WR Tanner Ash outruns a Byrd defender.

Photo credit: twitter.com; Tanner Ash (left) with Corey Henderson (right).