Atlanta Falcons | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||||
Born: | Auburn, Alabama, U.S. | November 8, 1995||||||||||||||
Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||||||
Weight: | 232 lb (105 kg) | ||||||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||||||
High school: | Auburn | ||||||||||||||
College: | Alabama (2014–2017) | ||||||||||||||
NFL draft: | 2018 / round: 1 / pick: 22 | ||||||||||||||
Career history | |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||||||
Roster status: | Practice squad | ||||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
Player stats at PFR |
Alan Rashaan Evans (born November 8, 1995) is an American professional football linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft. Evans has also played for the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys.
A native of Auburn, Alabama, Evans attended Auburn High School, where he was teammates with Reuben Foster. [1] Evans finished with 77 tackles (including 43 tackles for loss) and 17.5 sacks as a senior in high school, while adding five pass breakups, three forced fumbles, a blocked punt, and a fumble recovery. [2] He was recognized as first team ASWA 6A All-State selection as a junior in 2012 and also played in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game. [2] Evans was a five-star outside linebacker according to 247Sports, rated the eleventh best player in the country; the number one outside linebacker in the country; and the second highest recruit from the state of Alabama behind fellow Alabama commit Marlon Humphrey. [3] Evans was recognized as an Under Armour All-American in 2014.
Evans played college football at the University of Alabama. As a true freshman, he played on special teams in 13 games with 15 tackles (two for loss) and a sack.
As a sophomore, Evans again mostly played as a special teamer and reserve outside linebacker in 2015, though his two sacks against Clemson in the national championship victory that season put him on many scouts' radars. [4] Evans was a second-team All-Southeastern Conference pick in 2017, starting 12 games, tying for the team lead with 74 tackles, leading the team with 13 tackles for loss, making six sacks, and breaking up three passes. [4] In the team's two playoff games in 2016 (his only starts of the year), Evans made 18 tackles from an inside linebacker position. [4] He had 53 total for the year, including four sacks, six quarterback hurries, and a forced fumble in 14 games. [4] Evans started 14 games over his final two seasons and appeared in three CFP National Championship contests with two victories.
Evans graduated from Alabama in December 2017 with a degree in psychology.
Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 ft 1+7⁄8 in (1.88 m) | 232 lb (105 kg) | 32+1⁄4 in (0.82 m) | 10 in (0.25 m) | 4.36 s | 6.95 s | 30 in (0.76 m) | 9 ft 8 in (2.95 m) | |||||
All values from NFL Combine [5] [6] |
The Tennessee Titans selected Evans in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2018 NFL draft. [7] Evans was the fifth linebacker drafted in 2018. [8] On May 15, 2018, the Titans signed Evans to a four-year, $11.7 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $6.59 million. [9]
Throughout training camp, Evans competed to be a starting inside linebacker against Will Compton and Jayon Brown. [10] Head coach Mike Vrabel named Evans a backup inside linebacker to start the regular season, behind Wesley Woodyard and Will Compton. [11]
Evans was inactive for the Tennessee Titans' season-opening 27–20 loss at the Miami Dolphins due to a hamstring injury. [12] On September 23, 2018, Evans made his first career start, as well as his first career tackle, against the Jacksonville Jaguars in a 9–6 Week 3 victory. [13] In Week 13, Evans collected a season-high eight combined tackles (six solo) during a 26–22 victory against the New York Jets. Evans finished his rookie season with 53 combined tackles (33 solo) and a pass deflection in 15 games and seven starts. [14]
In Week 4, Evans made 10 combined tackles and made his first NFL sack during a 24–10 road win at the Atlanta Falcons. Evans was credited with half a sack after he sacked Matt Ryan with teammate Isaiah Mack. During Week 10 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Evans recovered a fumble forced by teammate David Long Jr. on running back Damien Williams and returned it for a 53 yard touchdown in the 35–32 victory. [15]
In Week 1 against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football , Evans was ejected for throwing a punch at tight end Jake Butt. [16]
The Titans declined to exercise the fifth-year option on Evans' contract on May 3, 2021, making him a free agent after the 2021 season. [17]
On April 4, 2022, Evans signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons. [18]
On September 12, 2023, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Evans to their practice squad. [19] He was released three days later. [20]
On October 11, 2023, the Dallas Cowboys signed Evans to their practice squad. [21] The Cowboys signed him to their active roster on November 18. [22] On December 26, 2023, Evans was arrested in Frisco, Texas for possession of marijuana. He was subsequently waived by the Cowboys on December 27. [23]
Year | Team | Games | Tackling | Fumbles | Interceptions | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Comb | Solo | Ast | Sack | FF | FR | Yds | TD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD | ||
2018 | TEN | 15 | 7 | 53 | 33 | 20 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
2019 | TEN | 16 | 16 | 111 | 69 | 42 | 2.5 | 0 | 1 | 53 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2020 | TEN | 16 | 16 | 96 | 59 | 37 | 0.5 | 0 | 1 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
2021 | TEN | 12 | 11 | 57 | 35 | 22 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0.5 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
2022 | ATL | 17 | 17 | 159 | 86 | 73 | 2.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
2023 | DAL | 9 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career | 85 | 68 | 485 | 286 | 199 | 5.0 | 2 | 4 | 78 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0.5 | 1 | 0 | 12 |
Year | Team | Games | Tackling | Fumbles | Interceptions | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Comb | Total | Ast | Sack | FF | FR | Yds | TD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD | ||
2019 | TEN | 3 | 3 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2020 | TEN | 1 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career | 4 | 4 | 27 | 17 | 10 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Evans is the second oldest of five children. He has one younger brother and three sisters. His father, Alan, was a running back at Auburn, and his mother, Chenavis, received four degrees from Auburn, including her doctorate. Evans' older sister was a cheerleader at Auburn, and, despite the family ties including his cousins attending Auburn, Evans chose to attend Alabama. Growing up in rural Alabama, Evans would chase wild horses to work on improving his speed and athleticism.
Karlos Montez Dansby is an American former football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Auburn Tigers and received All-American recognition. He was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2004 NFL draft, and has also played for the Miami Dolphins, the Cleveland Browns, and the Cincinnati Bengals.
DeMarcus Omar Ware is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Troy Trojans and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the 11th overall pick in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft. After spending nine seasons with the Cowboys, Ware departed in 2013 as the franchise's all-time leader in quarterback sacks with 117. Ware then played three seasons for the Denver Broncos, with whom he won Super Bowl 50 over the Carolina Panthers. After the 2016 season with the Broncos, he announced his retirement from the NFL. In 2017, he signed a one-day contract with Dallas to retire as a Cowboy. In 2018, the Broncos hired Ware as a pass-rush consultant. In 2023, Ware was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Ernie Sims III is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2006 NFL draft. He also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys.
Justin Ryan Durant is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Hampton Pirates and was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft. He played in the NFL for the Jaguars, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons.
Jordan Hicks is an American professional football linebacker for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He has also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, with whom he won a Super Bowl ring in 2018, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Minnesota Vikings. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns.
Kyle Wilber is a former American football linebacker and coach who is the special teams quality control coach for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft. He played college football at Wake Forest.
Jaylon Smith is an American professional football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and was selected 34th overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft.
Victor Ramon Beasley Jr. is an American professional football linebacker for the Arlington Renegades of the United Football League (UFL). After playing college football for Clemson University, Beasley was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons with the eighth overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft.
Dante Antwane Fowler Jr. is an American professional football linebacker for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Gators and was selected third overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2015 NFL draft. Fowler missed his entire rookie season after sustaining an ACL tear. He has also played for the Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta Falcons, and Dallas Cowboys.
Kwon Alexander is an American professional football linebacker for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft. Alexander has also played for the San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Deion Jones is an American professional football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football for the LSU Tigers, and was selected by Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft.
Keanu Neal is an American professional football safety who is a free agent. He was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the 17th overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft. He played college football for the Florida Gators.
Nick Vigil is an American professional football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Utah State, and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft. He has also played for the Los Angeles Chargers, the Arizona Cardinals and the Minnesota Vikings.
De'Vondre Campbell is an American professional football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Hutchinson Community College before transferring to Minnesota and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft. Campbell has also played for the Arizona Cardinals and the Green Bay Packers.
Jayon Lee Brown is an American football middle linebacker who is a free agent. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft, after playing college football at UCLA.
Harold Antonio Landry III is an American professional football linebacker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boston College and was drafted by the Titans in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft.
Leighton Vander Esch is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Boise State Broncos, and was selected by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft. He spent six seasons with the team, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in his rookie season before neck injuries prematurely ended his playing career.
Foyesade "Foye" Oluokun is an American professional football linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Yale, and was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL draft. He is notable for his proficient tackling ability.
Quinnen Williams is an American professional football defensive tackle for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama and was drafted by the Jets with the third overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. He is the younger brother of his Jets teammate, linebacker Quincy Williams.
Montavian Lamar Rice-Jordan is an American professional football linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He previously played for the Tennessee Titans of the NFL. He played college football at Georgia and was selected by the Titans in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft.