Rashaan Evans at The Opening

Rashaan Evans is the top remaining uncommitted player in the state of Alabama. (Photo courtesy of 247Sports)

Auburn High School outside linebacker

has been at the center of one of the most intense recruiting battles in the nation in the 2014 cycle and with just a few days remaining to make their case, coaches from Evans' three finalist schools are spending plenty of quality time with the 5-star prospect.

On Thursday, Evans was visited by UCLA defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich with the Bruins' assistant making one last attempt to sell the 6-foot-3, 220-pound star on the idea of playing on the West Coast. Evans was originally scheduled to visit UCLA unofficially this weekend but scrapped those plans in favor of spending more time with his family as he prepares to choose a college.

"Coach Ulbrich basically laid out his plan for how Rashaan would be utilized at UCLA," said Evans' father Alan Evans. "They have everything mapped out and it's clear they think Rashaan could help them in a lot of ways from day one. UCLA has done a great job throughout this entire process of really showing Rashaan how important he is to them and I think they've also really done a great job of selling the attraction of playing out West where Rashaan can go create his own identity."

Shortly after Ulbrich's visit, Evans and his family made their way to Auburn Arena where they took in Auburn's basketball victory over Alabama as personal guests of Gus Malzahn.

"We met Coach Malzahn over at the football building and he drove us over to the arena in his truck. It was something I'll remember for a long time, for sure. Walking into that arena, everyone around us was either whispering as we walked by or shouting Rashaan's name or yelling 'War Eagle' at Coach Malzahn. It was pretty surreal."

Malzahn will have one last chance to meet with Evans and his family on Saturday when he attends a birthday party at the Evans' home that will include hundreds of friends and family members. It will also feature another guest: Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart.

"They both wanted to be there for the party and we wanted to be able to spend time with both coaches so, I guess they are both going to be there," Alan Evans said. "It might be a little awkward I guess but that's recruiting. We are glad to welcome them both and it should be a great party."

Alan said the family will sit down on Sunday to discuss their options, which could include a change of plans for their scheduled Signing Day announcement.

"Right now, the plan is to make the announcement of ESPN on Signing Day at the high school but the more we've thought about it, the more we think the pressure from being here in Auburn might be something we'd like to avoid. We haven't canceled that plan but it's on the table for discussion. If Rashaan ends up picking Alabama, it could obviously lead to some reactions from the folks from this part of the state and we don't want him to feel any anxiety about that, especially if it could affect his decision."

Stay tuned to AL.com for the latest updates on Evans' recruitment throughout the weekend leading up to full coverage of his college decision.