He came to the University of Wisconsin five years ago in the shadows of former Badger star and high school teammate Chris Chambers. He will be leaving as arguably the greatest wide receiver that Wisconsin has ever seen.
And after five seasons playing in Madison, his career will soon come to an end, as Saturday will mark the last time that Lee Evans and the rest of the senior class will put on the cardinal and white in front of the Camp Randall faithful.
Yet along the way his journey has had its share of hardships. Following a 2001 season in which he broke the school and Big Ten record for receiving yards in a single season, the world appeared to come crashing down for this first team All-American. After deciding to stay at UW for his senior season of 2002, he blew out his knee in the spring football game, ironically on the same day as the NFL draft.
Yet at no point did his attitude change. He stayed confident and focused, more admirable attributes than his 3,000-plus receiving yards. It was assumed by fans that Evans would return for the Big Ten season. He didn't and still no change in attitude. Even as he sat in front of the media in San Antonio last season to announce he would once again return for one more year there was still no change in attitude.
Throughout all of the struggles, from the surgery itself, to being a vocal captain unable to put on pads with his teammates, he stayed confident and focused.
And it was as if he knew all along that he could return to his old self. And it all seemed well worth it this past Saturday, when Evans looked like the invincible All-American that we had come to know and love in 2001. He torched Michigan State for a career day in which he alone broke or tied seven school or Big Ten records.
In a way it seemed fitting. Here was a man that has rewritten the Wisconsin and Big Ten record books as few can. He passed up a chance to go to the NFL twice so he could come back for his senior season, and he graced the field with dignity and class that is unmatched in the three years I have been at this school.
His career began in 1999 and fittingly his first reception was a big-time, 64-yard touchdown reception against Ball State. But Saturday will mark the last time that Lee Evans and the rest of the senior class will get the chance to play at home in front of the Badger diehards. I urge you as fans, go and see him walk out of the locker room with his fellow captains for that one last time.
Most importantly go this Saturday to thank the greatest receiver the University of Wisconsin has ever set eyes on.
Cary Dohman's column normally runs on Wednesday's. He can be reached at ccdohman@wisc.edu
