High-profile OL stays home, commits to SMU

[PonyPride]

Drew Evers (6-4 / 300), a 2026 offensive tackle from Flower Mound, Texas, announced his commitment to SMU.
Evers also reports offers from Ohio State, Georgia, Michigan, Penn State, Texas A&M, Alabama, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, LSU, Louisville, Florida State, Arizona, Arkansas, Baylor, California, Colorado, Georgia Tech, Incarnate Word, Kansas State, Memphis, Missouri, North Carolina, North Texas, Northwestern, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Stanford, TCU, Texas Tech, Tulane, UCF, UNLV, Utah, Washington

[Pony ^]

huge

[Charleston Pony]

Quality OL prospect. Hope he sticks with his desire to stay home and play in front of family and friends. Why does he remind me of Kelvin Beachum?

[Webmaster]

Why does he remind me of Kelvin Beachum?

Maybe by success in H.S. or athletic ability. But in terms of physicality at this stage:

With due respect to Mr. Beachum, who is probably the most well-spoken, thoughtful and bright interview I've ever been a part of, he was a 2-star prospect. When he arrived on the Hilltop, he was not exactly an imposing physical specimen. That also speaks volumes about Beach's talent (the story I heard is that he was offered after our coaches saw how he could move at his size while playing basketball) and work ethic.

Drew Evers, on the other hand, has spent some time in the weight room. Rated the #7 interior offensive lineman and #16 overall prospect in Texas. For an OL, he looks thin at 285. His list of offers is ridiculous. HUUUGE get! This 2026 class is amazing!

[PonyPride]

Why does he remind me of Kelvin Beachum?

With due respect to Mr. Beachum, who is probably the most well-spoken, thoughtful and bright interview I've ever been a part of, he was a 2-star prospect. When he arrived on the Hilltop, he was not exactly an imposing physical specimen. That also speaks volumes about Beach's talent (the story I heard is that he was offered after our coaches saw how he could move at his size while playing basketball) and work ethic.

This is true. Recruiting was different then (Beachum — deemed by some to be too small to play in college, and definitely too small to play in the NFL — is gearing up for his 14th professional season!) Ronnie Vinklarek, the SMU offensive line coach, said they liked Beachum's play on the field at Mexia High School, but wondered about the transition to the college game. But he then told the story that Webmaster is referring to: he went to watch Beachum play basketball, and explained the parallel between offensive linemen staying in front of pass rushers and basketball players' lateral movement on defense. He said Beachum "isn't very big, but nobody could get around him." He insisted Beachum would have the best footwork on the offensive line — maybe as a freshman.

When Beachum claimed a spot in the SMU lineup, he was easily the most slender of the the linemen — whether it is true or myth that he weighed just 239 pounds when he made his first start, instead of his listed 270, I'm not sure. But he did start for four years and exceeded everyone's expectations in the NFL.