Joe Evans (American football)

Joe Evans
Personal information
Born: (1999-06-29) June 29, 1999 (age 25)
Ames, Iowa, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:252 lb (114 kg)
Career information
High school:Ames
College:Iowa (2018–2023)
Position:Linebacker
Undrafted:2024
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Joe Evans (born June 29, 1999) is an American professional football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Early life

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Evans attended high school at Ames. In Evans junior season after being forced to play quarterback after injuries to the starter, he completed 106 of his 178 passes for 1,276 yards and 17 touchdowns, while also adding 439 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.[1] Coming out of high school, Evans decided to walk-on to play college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes.[2][3]

College career

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In Evans true freshman season in 2018, he did not appear in any games and would redshirt.[4] In the 2019 season, Evans posted seven tackles with four being for a loss, and four sacks.[5] During the 2020 season, Evans was put on scholarship by the Hawkeyes.[6] In the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Evans tallied seven tackles with two going for a loss, a sack, and a pass deflection.[7] In 2021, Evans would breakout notching 33 tackles with seven being for a loss, seven sacks, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble.[8] In week one of the 2022 season, Evans tallied two sacks, and a safety as he helped Iowa to a 7–3 win over South Dakota State.[9] In week eight, Evans sacked quarterback C. J. Stroud, while also forcing a fumble which he returned 12 yards for his first career touchdown against #2 Ohio State.[10] In the 2022 season, Evans totaled 41 tackles with 8+12 going for a loss, 6+12 sacks, and two forced fumbles.[11] For his performance in the 2022 season, Evans was named second team all Big-10.[12] In week 12 of the 2023 season, Evans notched four tackles with 1+12 going for a loss, a sack, a safety, and three pass deflections, as he helped the Hawkeyes beat Illinois, 15–13.[13] In the Citrus Bowl, Evans notched a career-high four sacks in a loss to Tennessee.[14] For the 2023 season, Evans made 46 tackles with 13+12 going for a loss, 9+12 sacks, four pass deflections, and a forced fumble.[15]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 1+38 in
(1.86 m)
246 lb
(112 kg)
30+12 in
(0.77 m)
9+14 in
(0.23 m)
4.67 s 1.61 s 2.72 s 4.40 s 7.10 s 41.5 in
(1.05 m)
9 ft 9 in
(2.97 m)
24 reps
All values from Pro Day[16][17]

Evans signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2024.[18] He was waived on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.[19][20] He was released on September 24.[21]

References

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  1. ^ Naughton, John. "Ames QB Joe Evans completes family football legacy". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  2. ^ Levins, Matt (December 30, 2022). "Evans far from your average Joe". Daily Gate City. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  3. ^ Dochterman, Scott. "Cade McNamara, Joe Evans and a relationship that could help shape Iowa football in 2023". The Athletic. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  4. ^ Steppe, John. "Insatiable work ethic, family support helped Iowa's Joe Evans when 'odds were against him'". The Gazette. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  5. ^ "Joe Evans 2019 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  6. ^ Brown, Rick (September 8, 2021). "Joe Evans Proud Hawkeye from Ames". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  7. ^ "Joe Evans 2020 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  8. ^ "Joe Evans 2021 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  9. ^ Goffin, Isaac. "Iowa defensive end Joe Evans ready to take on hometown team Iowa State". The Daily Iowan. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  10. ^ Hanson, Austin. "Not your average Joe: How Iowa football defensive end Joe Evans went from walk-on to starter". The Daily Iowan. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  11. ^ Batterson, Steve (January 4, 2023). "Hawkeyes' sacks leader Evans will return". Quad City-Times. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  12. ^ "Joe Evans Semifinalist for Burlsworth". Sports Illustrated. November 7, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  13. ^ McGowan, Matt. "'I'm not even supposed to be here': Iowa senior Joe Evans reflects on his reasoning to return to the Hawkeyes this season". The Daily Iowan. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  14. ^ McGowan, Matt. "Iowa football players etch several milestones during Citrus Bowl loss to Tennessee". The Daily Iowan. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  15. ^ "Joe Evans 2023 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  16. ^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Joe Evans College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  17. ^ "Iowa's NFL Draft pro day: What we learned about Cooper DeJean, position switches and more". TheAthletic.com. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  18. ^ Brown, Clifton (May 3, 2024). "Ravens Announce 22-Member Undrafted Rookie Class". BaltimoreRavens.com.
  19. ^ Brown, Clifton (August 27, 2024). "Ravens Make Cuts, Set 53-Man Roster". BaltimoreRavens.com.
  20. ^ Mink, Ryan (August 28, 2024). "Ravens Sign 15 Players to Practice Squad". BaltimoreRavens.com.
  21. ^ Brown, Clifton. "Ravens Bring Back Yannick Ngakoue". baltimoreravens.com. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
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