Goodwell, Okla. — Former Oklahoma Panhandle State football defensive back Jeborric Evans (’06) is set to be inducted into the OPSU Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026 on Sept. 5 ahead of the Aggies’ home-opening football game versus Mayville State. 
 
In four years as an Aggie, Evans racked up numerous accolades, including being named to the 2003 All-America NCAA Division II All-West Second Team. In 2004, he followed up the honor by making "The Oklahoman's" preseason state college all-star team, the Daktronics All-America NCAA Division II All-Southwest Second Team, and the 2004 CollegeSportsReport All-America Team as a fourth-team defensive back.
 
A Louisiana native, Evans has lived in the Panhandle ever since his arrival to college in 2002. For nearly a quarter century, it’s where Evans has worked and called home, and where he and his wife, Shauna, have raised their three children – Ja’kai, Jaeliana and Janessa. 
 
“What started as a place I couldn’t imagine staying became home – a place where I found lifelong friendships, my wife, and a community that became family,” Evans said. 
 
Evans recently discussed his journey coming from Louisiana to the Oklahoma Panhandle, his favorite memories, life lessons he learned along the way, and more – all while expressing his gratitude for it all. The full exchange (lightly edited for clarity) between Evans and OPSU athletic communications director Gabe Stoesz is below. 
 
Q: What was it like coming to the Panhandle from Louisiana, and what made you stay here after graduation? What has it been like raising a family and working in the Panhandle? 
 
It was a really big change coming from Louisiana to the Panhandle of Oklahoma. I’m not going to lie – when I first arrived, I told my cousin to turn around because I wasn’t staying. He reminded me that he had driven all that way and told me I had to stay for at least one semester. Then, if I still wanted to leave, he would take me back.
 
Little did I know that one semester would completely change my mind. I quickly realized that Goodwell and OPSU were more than just a small college and a small community – they were a family. From the moment I arrived, I felt at home. I met some of the best people I have ever known, including my wife, Shauna.
 
We fell in love with the small-town community, the people, and the feeling of belonging that Goodwell gave us. Before long, we knew that this was the kind of community we wanted to raise our children in.
 
What started as a place I couldn’t imagine staying became home – a place where I found lifelong friendships, my wife, and a community that became family.



Q: What was the best moment, or moments, of your OPSU football career? 


One of my favorite game memories came during a game at Langston University. A Langston player broke loose with the ball, and he knew he was going to score – or at least he thought he was! I chased him down, made the tackle, and caused a fumble. We recovered the ball and were able to take it all the way down for a touchdown.
 
Football taught me to work hard, push through challenges, and never quit. Every accomplishment I earned along the way reminded me that hard work pays off. Being an all-American, two-time all-region, and four-time all-conference player is something I will always be proud of.
 
But now, being nominated for induction into the OPSU Hall of Fame – wow! That is truly an incredible honor. OPSU became home to me, and football gave me memories, friendships, and lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. To now have the opportunity to be inducted into the Hall of Fame is something I never could have imagined when I first arrived in Goodwell. I am truly grateful and honored.



Q: How did you grow and develop as a player and person throughout your years at OPSU? 
 
I came from Haynesville, Louisiana, where football was a powerhouse and a proud family legacy. Growing up there helped prepare me for the big steps I was about to take at OPSU. Football was truly in my blood. Two of my cousins, Doug and Demetric Evans, played in the NFL, and my cousin Bobby Ray made a name for himself in the Canadian Football League. I grew up surrounded by football, and I knew from an early age that it was a big part of who I was.
 
During my time at OPSU, I grew – literally! I arrived as a little 155-pound freshman and left weighing 205 pounds. But all jokes aside, OPSU and coach Ryan Held brought out more in me than I ever knew I had. They believed in me and made sure that my hearing loss was never going to hold me back from giving my best on the football field. The coaches worked with me to develop specific hand signals so I could communicate and understand what I needed to do on the field. They found ways to make sure I could compete at my highest level rather than allowing my hearing loss to become a limitation.
 
The professors in the classroom did the same thing. They supported me, challenged me, and helped me grow academically just as my coaches helped me grow as an athlete. I was blessed to have great teammates and coaches who pushed me to always strive for more. OPSU helped me grow not only as a football player, but also as a person. The lessons I learned, the people who believed in me, and the opportunities I was given at OPSU helped shape the person I am today.
 
Q: Who had the biggest impact on who you were as a football player, and who you are as a person today? 
 
I would have to say that the people in high school who had the biggest impact on me, both as a player and as a person, were Coach David Franklin, Coach John Ware, Coach Ronnie Field, and Coach Mike Bush from Haynesville, Louisiana. They pushed me beyond limits I never knew I had. Their expectations for what I could accomplish surpassed anything I believed I could achieve myself.
 
They were determined to bring out the best in every one of their players. Because they believed in me and pushed me the way they did, I was able to have a very successful high school career and earn the opportunity to continue playing football at OPSU.
 
Then I was recruited by Coach Held. His coaching style and high expectations brought out even more in me. He helped develop not only my abilities as an athlete, but also the passion I had for the game. He challenged me to push myself, work harder, and believed that I could accomplish more than I thought possible.
 
When Coach Held left, Coach Kyle Davis came in and continued that same tradition of helping me grow. He pushed me to continue striving to be the best athlete and person I could be.
 
Looking back, I am incredibly thankful for every coach, teammate, professor, and person who played a part in my success both on and off the football field. Each of them helped shape me into the person I am today, and I will always be grateful for the impact they had on my life.