The top-ranked junior college running back in the country, Tiyon Evans, decommitted from Tennessee on Saturday night, he announced on Twitter.
“After having a conversation with my mother I’ve decided to De-commit from the University of Tennessee and open my recruitment back up,” Evans tweeted. “I graduate in December and have 3 years or eligibility.”
After having a conversation with my mother I’ve decided to De-commit from the University of Tennessee and open my recruitment back up. I graduate in December and have 3 years or eligibility.
— Tiyon Evans (@darealballer_15) September 20, 2020
Evans committed to the Vols earlier this year on April 30. He was one of three running backs Tennessee had committed in the 2020 recruiting class. The Vols now have commitments from high school running backs Cody Brown and Jaylen Wright. Brown is ranked a four-star out of Georgia, and Wright is ranked a three-star out of North Carolina, respectively.
Originally from Hartsville, South Carolina, Evans is currently playing junior college football at Hutchinson Community College. Evans is the No. 1 junior college running back and the No. 3 overall junior college player according to the 247Sports Composite.
In high school, Evans played quarterback for Hartsville during his senior season and was a three-star recruit, rated No. 421 overall in the 2019 class per 247Sports. He threw for 13 touchdowns and 1,345 yards while also gaining 1,477 rushing yards and scoring 25 rushing touchdowns on 126 carries as a senior. Prior to that, he had rushed for 2,000-plus yards in both his junior and sophomore seasons.
At Hutchinson, Evans was used more as a special teams player early in the 2019 season, but his role expanded as the season went on, and he capped off the year in style with a 194-yard rushing performance against Monroe College to end the season.
In his first year at Hutchinson, Evans carried the ball 61 times for 538 yards and nine touchdowns while also returning 18 kick-offs for an average of 33.8 yards a return, returning two kick-offs for scores according to the school’s website. He also scored on a 27-yard reception and racked up 1,189 all-purpose yards, scoring 12 total touchdowns.
