By Hale McGranahan.

SANTEE – Lake Marion High School junior linebacker Donta Evans normally sports the No. 3 jersey.

From time to time this fall he’ll switch to 50, so he can play offensive tackle for the Gators. Listed at 6-foot-2, 212 pounds, Evans’ future is at linebacker.

Head coach Chris Carter believes that Evans will fit just fine as a middle linebacker.

“I think this year is Donta’s year,” Carter said, during an interview with TheClemsonInsider at Lake Marion.

As a sophomore, Davis had 98 tackles, seven sacks and an interception as an outside linebacker.

“I’m moving to inside this year,” Evans said. “I’m kind of young, 15 years old. I’ve got a birthday coming up Sept. 1.

“I love to hit, real smart. Coach has me on defense this year calling the plays. I’m a defensive captain this year as a junior, trying to lead the team to, hopefully, a state title this year.”

In addition to his trip to Clemson for camp, Evans also visited Georgia Tech, N.C. State and UAB this summer.

“I did pretty well at the Clemson camp,” he said. “The school that’s recruiting me the hardest right now is UAB, the University of Alabama-Birmingham.”

Clemson’s campus was impressive.

“I thought it was amazing. I loved it,” Evans said.

He added, “I’d been there before, but seeing the facilities, going to the indoor facility, it was nice.”

For 2014, Evans has a few goals in mind.

“I’m trying to lead the team in tackles this year with about 120 tackles. Hopefully, I’ll get 10 sacks this year, that’s the big goal,” he said.