Rashaan Evans' father remembers the news feeling like a "death blow."

Before that day in 2011, Evans was a quarterback. He had received quarterback training, had attended the Manning Passing Academy and believed he had the talent to excel at that position in high school and beyond.

But Auburn High had a standout quarterback, Cameron Echols-Luper, who was only one year older than Evans. So Auburn High coaches decided to move Evans to defense, which then-defensive coordinator Anthony Jeter explained to Alan Evans in that meeting during Rashaan's sophomore year in 2011.

While Rashaan and his father were upset about the change, Jeter said something that day that's proven accurate.

"I know it's devastating," Jeter said at the time. "But, believe me, you're going to thank me for this one day."

Six years later, this once-aspiring quarterback is now one of the quarterbacks of Alabama's defense.

The Crimson Tide defense should once again be dominant even after losing standout players such as Jonathan Allen, Reuben Foster and Ryan Anderson. Evans will be one of this year's alpha dogs after posting 53 tackles and four sacks as a junior last season.

The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Evans will start at inside linebacker, will be used some as an outside pass rusher and, if you ask anyone at Alabama, is primed to post some big-time numbers.

"He's an incredibly hard worker," running back Damien Harris said. "He focuses on the small details. He's just a really, really positive guy on our team and he's a true leader."

Evans, who played outside linebacker his first two years at Alabama, has said he feels "a lot more comfortable" entering Year 2 as an inside linebacker. By all accounts, Evans has been making plays all over the field during practices and scrimmages dating back to the spring.

During the Tide's open practice Aug. 5, Evans flew up and drilled tight end Irv Smith on a short pass over the middle.

Evans then made two big plays during the first of Alabama's two fall scrimmages.

The first was an interception of freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Looking like a big defensive back, Evans stayed stride-for-stride with a tight end down the middle before intercepting the pass and breaking off a long return.

Evans then forced a fumble later in the scrimmage.

"Rashaan is a really good athlete," Tide defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt said. "We have a group of guys that play inside backer that all have a unique skill set. When Rashaan got here, he was more of an outside pass rusher, and we'll continue to use him in that role. But, to play every down, he moved inside this past year. He's still learning. I think he's improving every day."

Still pinned at the top of Evans' Twitter profile is a tweet he posted in February, "I'll win the Butkus Award."

That's looking increasingly realistic for Evans, a preseason first-team All-SEC selection.

Jeter, who died in 2014, isn't around to see what Rashaan has developed into at Alabama. But Alan Evans often thinks back to that day in 2011 and Jeter saying, "You're going to thank me for this one day."

He was right.

"I'm still thanking coach Jeter today," Alan said. "I know it was a hard decision for him to move Rashaan, but I'm so glad he did it."

Matt Zenitz is an Alabama beat writer for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mzenitz.