Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Centennial QB Evans finds right fit with UNR football, makes verbal commitment

More Arbor View vs. Centennial

Steve Marcus

Centennial quarterback Jamaal Evans carries the ball during a game against the Centennial at Arbor View Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015.

Centennial High quarterback Jamaal Evans won’t have to learn a new offense in college.

The Bulldogs’ rising senior committed today to UNR, where first-year offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey is installing a read-option attack he learned from Chip Kelly when they coached together at New Hampshire. Kelly, now in the NFL, brought his offense from New Hampshire to Oregon and is widely considered one of football’s top offensive minds.

The formation and philosophy are similar to what Evans has run the past two years at Centennial.

“The new offensive coordinator was with Chip Kelly. His style fits my style,” Evans said.

In the read option, the quarterback often determines if it’s a passing or running play based on the defensive formation. At Centennial, Evans has thrived doing both — he passed for 1,807 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior, and rushed for another 16 scores.

“I like to drop back and pass, but I can take off and run if I need to,” Evans said.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Evans also had offers from Idaho, UNLV and Adams State. Verbal commitments are nonbinding until a letter of intent is signed in early February, meaning Evans can still be recruited by other schools.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21