Samson Evans becomes Iowa’s second 2018 commit from Crystal Lake

The primary source for Iowa’s recruiting pipeline into Illinois has become Prairie Ridge High School.

Offensive lineman Jeff Jenkins committed to the Hawkeyes from the Crystal Lake powerhouse in January, and his star quarterback followed him on Sunday.

Three-star athlete Samson Evans is the latest 2018 prospect to accept an Iowa offer, choosing head coach Kirk Ferentz’s program over offers from Illinois, Minnesota, Northern Illinois and more.

Evans led Prairie Ridge on a dominant state championship path in Illinois’ Class 6A last season, rushing for 274 yards and four touchdowns in the title game as a quarterback in an option system. The Hawkeyes project the versatile 5-foot-11½, 200-pound player to play at wide receiver. He rushed for more than 2,000 yards in 14 games as a junior.

Evans also rated ninth overall at Nike’s Opening Regional combine in Chicago last month and was clocked at 4.65 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He is currently Iowa’s sixth recruit in the 2018 class.