Wide receiver Eli Evans (6) caught a touchdown pass Saturday at the Eastern Illinois spring game. The junior transfer from California’s Santa Rosa Junior College is in his first semester at EIU. (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigskin.com)
By Barry Bottino
CHARLESTON – It took only seconds Saturday at O’Brien Field for wide receiver Eli Evans to beat his defender and score a touchdown in the Eastern Illinois spring game.
That’s almost as quick as his recruitment.
As one of three new receivers in a group that lost its top four pass catchers from a year ago, Evans was a unique arrival in January. Before deciding on EIU, he never visited campus.
“It’s very unusual. In today’s time, it can happen,” Eastern wide receivers coach Tino Smith told Prairie State Pigskin. “The (recruiting) window is a little bit shorter. He was a juco guy, and he was kind of a hidden gem. Thank God I found him. He’s going to be good for us.”
A native of suburban Seattle, Evans played two seasons at Santa Rosa Junior College in California. As a sophomore in 2025, he caught 45 passes for 412 yards and a TD.
On Saturday, his touchdown was a highlight for the offense. The Blue team (defense), however, outlast the White squad (offense), 41-28, in a modified scoring system.
Evans made a big first impression this spring by being named the team’s most improved wide receiver.
“It means I have something to build off of going into the fall,” he said. “I know I can contribute to the team to help us win.”
Eastern’s top four receivers from a year ago have all departed, including longtime veterans Cooper Willman and DeAirious Smith. Gone with them are 93 receptions and nine touchdowns.
The new faces also include transfers Jaden Jude (D-II Nebraska-Kearney) and Samuel Gonzalez (NAIA MidAmerica Nazarene). On Saturday, the Panthers got a commitment from juco All-American Dhari Young of California’s De Anza College.
“Each year is different,” Smith said. “This group is a whole new identity. I want them to write that on their own. I just lead them. My biggest thing is to have guys who are locked in together.”
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Evans earned praise from Smith for his focus this spring. As a newcomer, Evans put plenty of time into getting to know his teammates quickly.
“I try to make an impact by just being around the guys, helping everybody, being level-headed and keeping a good union between everybody,” he said. “During the spring, I focused on going through plays, meeting with my coach, putting extra hours in and trying to put myself in the best position to win.”
That time investment included getting to know all four of EIU’s quarterbacks who are competing for the starting job, including lone returnee Cole LaCrue and transfers Jeremiah Salem (FBS Eastern Michigan), Jazel Riley IV (College of the Canyons) and Peyton Faker (College of the Sequoias), who was named the most improved QB this spring.
“I talk to all of them and get to know them,” Evans said. “After practice, we’ll get catches in. I talk to them after plays, after my mistakes. I’ll see what I can do to help them and what they can do to help me.”
Salem praised Evans for his intellect and approach to the game.
“He’s a smart dude, a savvy dude,” Salem said. “He’s got great hands, and he knows where to be and how to run routes. That’s a guy you love to throw to.”
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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