HOUSTON — Five-star running back Zachary Evans released a top five of Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma and Ohio State on May 28.

Fast-forward two months and things have changed for the North Shore standout.

“I ain’t going based off that top five no more,” Evans told BamaOnLine. “Couple teams in the top five, they filled up their class before I could get to it. I think OU filled up their RB class and I haven’t talked to Ohio State because of the Dead Period.”

The nation’s top-ranked running back didn’t include either in-state program on his list of finalists to some’s surprise, but has since visited both schools in June and considers them still firmly in the mix.

“Most definitely,” Evans said of Texas and Texas A&M among the group of favorites.

Alabama is another school Evans made his way back to for a multi-day stay early last month. The five-star back’s teammate, Damieon George, even committed to the Tide.

“It’s the process,” Evans said of UA. “Coming from a winning program and then seeing my teammate D going to another winning program, I’m happy for him. I feel like that’s a good opportunity for him. It’s a good community out there. I think they’ll help him grow as a man.”

Earlier this year, Evans went on record saying he and George are a package deal.

“It’s still the case,” Evans said of his statement earlier this year. “That’s my dog. Regardless I’m here for him right or wrong. I mean that’s my brother, so I love him.”

Further pressed as to whether the package deal is still indeed the plan …

“We don’t know,” he said laughing. “We’ll see.”

Evans has had the opportunity to sit down with Nick Saban more than once having visited the Capstone several times throughout his recruitment.

“He was just telling me the history and stuff, telling me I can make my own name, come in, do you what you gotta do and compete,” Evans said of Saban’s message. “It’s just all about dog eat dog. It’s just that type of world now.”

Evans sees a prime opportunity to continue carrying on the legacy of the running back position in Tuscaloosa.

“They’ve had two Heisman winners, I mean, it’s just a program that produces backs,” he said. “They’re RBU.”

What’s it going to be that separates one school from the other come decision day?

“Just wherever I can call home,” Evans said. “You’re gonna like them all, all of them are gonna like you. They’re gonna say the same thing. It’s all about where you feel comfortable at, where you feel like home is. Don’t feel pressured to make your decision early, don’t feel too pressured to make it late. I mean, just do it whenever you’re ready.”

Evans further emphasized the need to familiarize himself with a program and get that home feel as a critical factor in the decision-making process.

“To really settle it down, the way to get me is you gotta let me go in and get with the team, let me experience it, let me get the feeling,” he said.

During his stay in Tuscaloosa, the five-star back spent time with UA running backs Najee Harris and Brian Robinson getting familiar with how things are done at Bama.

“(Harris) was just telling me why he chose Bama,” Evans said. “He was just like, ‘Wherever you go just compete, be that dog. Do what you gotta do. Don’t worry about nobody else. Don’t worry about nobody trying to put their input on your recruitment. Go out there, play your game, do you. You come here, you’re gonna be a dog and fight for a spot.’ They just let me know this is what’s going to happen.”

Alabama running backs coach Charles Huff is the one assistant coach Evans identified as who he feels closest with throughout this process.

“He’s a genuine dude,” he said of Huff.

As for programs coming after the five-star back hardest?

“Before the Dead Period I was just talking to Georgia and Alabama and A&M,” Evans said.

Evans says he has plans to take an official visit to LSU when the Tigers host Auburn in October. Beyond that?

“Alabama will get an official, Georgia will get an official, A&M will get an official,” he said.

Are there any leaders at this point in the process?

“I haven’t talked to (schools much) since the Dead Period,” Evans said. “Leaving off, I feel pretty good with Georgia and Bama. Now that the Dead Period’s fixing to end, I know it’s all going to pop right back into it. I’m just taking it slow as a I can, patiently just laying it out with my family.”

With a week-long window now open to take visits, Evans says he plans to be in Athens this upcoming weekend.

When could we seen a decision?

“I don’t really got a timetable,” Evans said. “It’ll be anytime, just wherever I feel at home. I feel like it would be good to stay home because this is where I’m from, I can put on for my state. My mom is right there, she can just come. She don’t stay far from A&M anyway. That’s right in her back yard. She don’t care (where I go). She just wants me to go to school.”

At 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, Evans is rated the No. 1 running back and the No. 6 overall player in the country, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite Rankings.