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Smyrna, DE- Piscataway (NJ) sophomore defensive end Kwami Evans put on a display at the NUC East Ultimate 100. Evans put up very impressive numbers at the combine portion. He ran a 4.68 forty yard dash and 29.5 inch vertical jump. During the one-on-one portion, Evans was able to use his speed get off the edge against the bigger offensive tackles. Evans has great motor and never stops moving his feet. He has great explosion out of his stance and can beat slow footed offensive tackles with his first step. At 5-8 and 219 pounds, Evans uses his height as advantage because he is able to get lower than the offensive lineman and it creates good leverage for him. Evans' Piscataway team has produced a ton of talent at the division one level and in the NFL. Piscataway has won two back to back Central Group 4 New Jersey State Championships. |
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Steven Barsamian NUC: What was your reaction when you won the Combine King? Kwami Evans: I was actually very surprised. There were so many talented players out there. I actually thought my stats were not that impressive. But I guess they were since I won Combine King. NUC: What were your thoughts on the competition from the combine? KW: Well the competition was incredible. There were guys out there that were huge compared to me. These are the guys that are division one recruits. I was just happy to be out there with them. The competition made everyone better out there. I'm really happy that I got to be a part of it. NUC: What made you pick defensive line for the combine because you are a pretty versatile player? KW: My first year on varsity I was a linebacker and I didn't do too well at linebacker, so our defensive line coach told me to try to play defensive line for him. So I played defensive line and I played pretty well. Ever since then it has been a loyalty thing. I will play anything that my team needs me to play. If my team needed me to play quarterback, I'd play it in a heartbeat and I would try my best. NUC: How are the offseason workouts going? KW: The offseason workouts are going well. My whole team is really into it and we are all doing the workouts together. Instead of us split up with private trainers and what not. I have my whole team working out and we have our trainer in here working us out. We feel really good about this offseason and how it is going to transfer over to the regular season. NUC: What are your individual goals for next season? KW: Individually I want to lead my team in sacks. I also want to perform at the highest level I can. If I'm going to ask my team to give 100 percent, then I have to give 110 percent. I want to go out there and be a problem on the defensive side of the ball. But also on the offensive side of the ball if my coach needs me to play fullback or that power back I will, to help the team out. NUC: What are your goals for your team this season? KW: For my team, I want us to have a three peat in state championships. I don't want us to settle on our success of last season. I want us to be an incredible team that shows people "hey we may have lost half of our team to graduation but we can still be that versatile, hard, and physical Piscataway defense and in your face running with our offense." NUC: What is about Piscataway, that you guys keep churning out more and more division one players and NFL players? KW: I would have to say Piscataway Pride. When you play for Piscataway you feel compelled to work hard. I absolutely love Piscataway. My coaches make me want to work hard. They are not going to sit there and baby you. If you don't want to work hard then you have to leave. It works because we have coaches that are willing to put in the work and players who are willing to put in the work. The coaches are committed 100 percent, so we as players have to be committed 100 percent. I guess the commitment and hard work is what turns out the college athletes and NFL players. We put in those extra hours; sometimes we stay on the field until seven o'clock. NUC: What are strengths as a player? KW: I would say my speed off the ball and my hand work. I would also say my footwork too. NUC: Do you have a player in the NFL or college that you watch to pattern your play after? KW: Definitely Jason Pierre-Paul. I mean that guy is huge but is so athletic. He can stop the run, and get to the quarterback. He makes offensive tackles cringe when they are in their stance. He is absolutely everything I want to be in a defensive end. NUC: How has the recruiting process been going? Any college coaches contact you? KW: A few college coaches have contacted me but nothing serious yet. I guess it is because I did not play as much varsity as I wanted too. Since we had a lot of seniors playing last year it was tough for me to get a ton of playing time. I'm going to wait until next year and put a ton of work into next year so I can be successful. Hopefully after next year the offers will start coming. NUC: Do you have any college camps planned for the summer? KW: I went to the Rutgers camp. I'm going to try to attend the Penn State camp but for me I am mostly focusing on my team and trying to get that third state championship, so Piscataway can have that ninth ring. All the college stuff can come after that but it is all about Piscataway High School right now. NUC: Are you guys doing any team camps? KW: No, we really like to stay at home and work here. We do all our work, blood, and sweat here. NUC: Do you have a favorite position? KW: It has to me defensive end. There is nothing like going after the quarterback with nothing holding you back. You only have to beat the offensive tackle to get to the quarterback. But other than that, it is just you and the quarterback. NUC: Do you have any more combines planed? KW: I plan on going to the NUC Top Prospect camp in Oklahoma and showing them some P-way pride. But after that I think I'm done. |
