When Omari Evans enrolled at Penn State, he knew that he’d be switching positions.
Five-star Drew Allar and three-star Beau Pribula were part of the 2022 recruiting class.
So, it would have been hard for Evans to make it as a QB.
The 6-foot-0, 182-pound former three-star recruit out of Shoemaker High School in Killeen, Texas, played in all 13 games receiver.
With several receivers ahead of him on the depth chart, Evans caught five passes for 55 yards and a touchdown. That touchdown came in grand fashion. It was the first touchdown pass of what Penn State and its fans hope will be many that Allar will throw in college, taking place in the home opener against Ohio.
Evans spoke about his transition to receiver at Penn State’s second-year player media availability last Tuesday.
“It was hard at first because I never really ran that much because I was the quarterback.” Evans said. “I had to get used to that and I had to get to know the plays from a receiver’s point of view.”
When players go from stars in high school to not getting much playing time in college, it can be a challenge maintaining a high confidence level.
Evans said confidence was shaken when he was first making the switch.
But his comfortability with the position increased, so did his belief.
“My confidence was low when I first got here because I never really played receiver,” Evans said. “So, once I started learning everything and working my confidence got up. I am really confident now about my ability.”
Evans told reporters that he and fellow second-year receiver Kaden Saunders have been putting a lot of work in together. Last season, they were two of the team’s youngest receivers.
“We came in at the same time and we were the youngest receivers,” Evans said, “so we just kept working and making each other better.”
With players like Allar, Nick Singleton and Abdul Carter in the same class, it was easy for Evans to be overlooked. But Evans sees himself and everybody else in his class growing.
“When I seen the rankings, I knew that we were going to be a special class,” Evans said. “I can’t wait until we grow, and everybody develops.”
Big goals for Evans and his classmates, of course, are to win a Big Ten championship and national title.
“That’s what we’re working for,” he said. “We have to take it one game at a time, one season at a time.”
Twitter: @bwalkerdadon
