Evans signs with OBU

Junction City’s Keandre Evans will receive the chance to test his football talents on the college level.

The uber-athletic senior has signed to compete with Ouachita Baptist University. The 5-11 athlete is eager to embark upon this coveted opportunity.

“It felt good to sign. I had been waiting on the chance to sign, seemingly forever,” Evans admitted. “I just kept believing that I would sign eventually. I decided to keep believing and to keep working hard and at some point, I would sign. So I was excited about it.”

On the opening day of the national signing period for football, there were an assembly of Junction City Dragons who signed letters-of-intent. However, Evans was not among that group. He acknowledged that it was a bittersweet moment.

“I was down about the situation. I watched all of my teammates sign that day. I really felt left out,” he said. “But I’m signed now and I feel pretty good.”

According to Evans, Ouachita Baptist - which is coached by Todd Knight - always had interest in his services. It just took a while for everything to materialize.

“The coaches at OBU kept in touch with me. We text one another back and forth,” he said. “I eventually had the chance to make a visit to OBU. Then it all worked out.”

While competing for OBU, which qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs last season, Evans will be a cornerback. And he's just fine with those specialized duties. During his final season with Junction City, Evans recorded 71 tackles and six interceptions.

Tiger Co-Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Backs coach Paige Anders, is excited about Evans' potential.

“Keandre will be on scholarship at Ouachita,” Anders said. "We are very excited to get him here to campus! Keandre knows how to win and we feel with that along with his athleticism, he will contribute sooner rather than later.”

Evans is grateful for the people who helped him earn the opportunity to be a college athlete.

“I want to thank my friends and my family. They are the ones who encouraged me not to give up,” he said. “My dad, mom, and brother kept me focused. I have to thank coach (David) Carpenter also for believing in me.”