The Evans team, entering the season with high expectations, confined itself to meeting rooms.<\/p>\n
More than 15 incoming transfers give Evans a whole new look.<\/p>\n
Head coach Karlos Odum said the Trojans \u201conly look good on paper. We gotta put it on the grass on Friday nights.<\/p>\n
The marquee name among those transfers is quarterback Will Jackson, a 6-foot-5, 200-pounder with a big arm who is committed to Maryland.<\/p>\n
Orlando\u2019s top receiver, Brian Dillard, is also headed to Evans. He transferred from a small-school powerhouse, The First Academy, along with cornerback David Coleman. The transfer of those two players is still in the works, and the paperwork isn\u2019t even dry yet. With Jackson, Dillard and transfer running back Daveon Williams, the offense looks to be in good hands.<\/p>\n
While the offense rides mostly on the arm of Jackson, Odum knows he will have a stingy defense, led by sack master, senior defensive end Chris Sanon.\u00a0 He is built like a college linebacker, and Sanon will see more action in that position this year.<\/p>\n
Safety Demetre Pryor roams the backfield, and he enters the season with the most interceptions of any defensive back in Central Florida with 7 picks in each of his first two seasons.<\/p>\n
![\"Weather](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1785272410_133_0-1.jpg\")
Weather pushed the Evans High football team indoors Monday, the first day of football practice, so head coach Karlos Odum spoke to the Sentinel in the weight room. (Chris Hays\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n
So Evans will be salty. It\u2019s just a matter of how the coaching staff can mold the addition of nearly 20 new bodies, which could cause chaos.<\/p>\n
Odum says no problem.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe thing about football is that it\u2019s blocking, running, catching and tackling, so we put the kids in the system, teach it to them and coach them,\u201d Odum said. \u201cAnd if they can run, block, tackle and catch, then they\u2019re gonna be all right. They\u2019ll fit in. They\u2019ll figure it out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lake Mary had 27 transfers come in last year, and things weren\u2019t perfect at the start. In Week 8 the Rams were thumped by Evans, 40-14. But Lake Mary turned everything around and won the Class 7A state title.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the leadership of the coaches that makes a difference for the kids and makes them successful. It\u2019s the leadership part,\u201d Odum said. \u201cFortunately, I\u2019m around a great coaching staff where I can just lead. My coaches coach and run the schemes and everything and I\u2019m here to support them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Odum knows expectations are high for a team that was 8-3 last year. He doesn\u2019t listen to thje noise outside of his locker room.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t have any expectations. Mine is to go 1-0 every week,\u201d Odum said. \u201cWe play Wekiva in our last game on the schedule, and we\u2019ll see how it is then. I try to just stay focused on one game at a time. If we just focus on ourselves, then I think we can be pretty good.\u201d<\/p>\n
One of the biggest games of the season comes early. Jones visits Evans for a Week 2 date, and the rivalry will be loaded with plenty of chatter leading up to the contest. Odum is hoping the fans will show up. He said the fan support during his first three years at Evans has been disappointing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t really understand it,\u201d Odum said. \u201cBig games like that they might come out and be a lot of them here, but the next week there might be 30-50 people. It\u2019s crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n