2018 athlete Samson Evans from Crystal Lake (Ill.) Prairie Ridge put up some of the most impressive stats in the state of Illinois. In the regular season Evans rushed for 1,363 yards, passed for 740, and accounted for 32 touchdowns. He led an offense that averaged 50-points a game.

Evans played masterfully leading the Wolves to the IHSA Class 6A state title on Saturday in Champaign, rushing for 274-yards and four touchdowns. After the game, when Samson met with the media he was humble, collected, and taking the moment in with a sly smile on his face.

“The Prairie Ridge offense was deceptive but we had a great defensive plan,” runner up Sacred Heart-Griffin coach Ken Leonard said. “It comes down to execution. That quarterback is special, he’s one of the best high school runners that we’ve faced. And Ty Isaac (Joliet Catholic) was pretty good a few years back. This kid is pretty special.”

Evans, only a junior, has offers from Northern Illinois, Army and Central Michigan. Plus, he’s heard from Illinois. Depending on which school is recruiting though, the position changes.

“Illinois hasn’t offered but they are recruiting me more for defense or wide receiver,” Evans said. “The bigger schools think I’m defense or slot.”

And some schools like Evans as a signal caller.

“Northern is recruiting me as a quarterback,” Evans said. “Northern runs a great offense because it fits me well. The quarterback runs a lot and passes when he has to and I feel like that would be a good fit. Any school like that pretty much. I just like the ball in my hands.”

Long, athletic and with a great frame, Evans has a lot to think about as his recruitment inevitably starts to take off when coaches meet him in person.

“I think about what would be the best fit for me college wise, and for what I want to do while I’m in college. What I want to major in and what I want to play in college because many schools think differently of me there,” Evans said.

He’s also not dead set on playing quarterback at the next level.

“Some schools are looking at me more as like a safety or outside linebacker,” Evans said. “They have thrown me in a few times this year at outside linebacker. I haven't really played defense in high school though, I’ve mainly played quarterback and returned. In eighth grade I played safety them, I know how to tackle -- I just haven't done it in a while.”

Just after the championship game in Champaign, Evans wasn’t quite ready to turn his attention to recruiting — but it won’t be long.

“I haven’t been thinking about visits, I’ve just been focusing on this game and I’ll definitely think about it in a week or two,” Evans said.