Chris Evans (American football)

Last updated

Chris Evans
Chris Evans (American football).jpg
Evans with the Bengals in 2021
No. 25 – Cincinnati Bengals
Position: Running back
Personal information
Born: (1997-10-05) October 5, 1997 (age 26)
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school: Ben Davis (Indianapolis, Indiana)
College: Michigan (2016–2020)
NFL draft: 2021  / Round: 6 / Pick: 202
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Rushing yards:89
Rushing average:4.7
Receptions:19
Receiving yards:188
Receiving touchdowns:3
Return yards:314
Player stats at PFR

Chris Evans (born October 5, 1997) is an American football running back for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Michigan and was selected by the Bengals in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Contents

Early years

A native of Indianapolis, [1] Evans attended Ben Davis High School in that city. [2] As a high school junior in 2014, he rushed for over 1,200 yards and 18 touchdowns and caught 51 passes for 676 yards and 10 touchdowns. [3]

As a high school senior in 2015, he rushed for over 1,100 yards and 15 touchdowns and caught 40 passes for 511 yards and four touchdowns. [4] He scored 47 touchdowns in his final two years at Ben Davis High. [5] He also competed four years of track at Ben Davis High. In high school, he ran the 100-meter dash in 10.9 seconds. The 110m hurdles in 14.28 seconds electronically which placed him 3rd at his state meet. [4] Evans was also a very successful long jumper, improving from a 19 feet 11 inches to a 23 feet 1 inch and 25 feet 1 inch by his senior year.

College career

Recruiting and commitment

In June 2015, Evans, a long-time Ohio State fan, attended a Michigan Wolverines football satellite camp in Indianapolis. He caught the eye of Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh who proceeded to court Evans' parents. [6] Evans gave his verbal commitment to play football at Michigan two days later. At the time, Evans said, "If coach Harbaugh thinks you're good, you must be." [7]

After accepting an offer from Michigan, Evans was pursued by Ohio State, [8] but he tweeted in early January 2016 that, though he was flattered by Ohio State's interest, he maintained his commitment to Michigan. [9] [10]

Recruited as an athlete, Evans was known for his versatility, as he saw action in high school at running back, slot receiver and cornerback. [1] During the preseason training camp prior to his freshman year in 2016, Evans drew praise for his explosiveness and speed. [4] [11] Teammate Drake Johnson described him as "mad athletic" and "real smooth . . . like butter smooth, we're just like 'ooh, wow' ", and added, "He just makes it look smooth and easy. He looks effortless when he does stuff, 'yeah, that was nice.'" [12]

Evans has been described as having "deceptive looks." Bob Wojnowski of The Detroit News wrote: "He wears glasses (contacts during the game) and has sported a high-top haircut since he was a kid watching Will Smith on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” [13]

2016 season

On September 3, 2016, Evans appeared in his first game for Michigan. In the first three quarters, he rushed for 112 yards on eight carries (14.0 yards per carry), including an 18-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and a 43-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. [14] [13] He became the third Michigan player to rush for over 100 yards in his college debut. [15] After the game, head coach Jim Harbaugh said, "I knew Chris Evans was special. What you saw today is what we have been seeing in practice the last month. He's a special football player. And you didn't get to see everything he can do." [15] [16] Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press wrote of the game that "the spark came from freshman Chris Evans and his wiggle. Evans brought a different dimension than the bruising backs, maybe something U-M hasn’t seen since Denard Robinson." [17]

Mitch Albom dubbed Evans "Captain Fantastic" and added "it might be a case of A Star is Born." [18] Michigan running backs coach Tyrone Wheatley said of Evans: "He's like my Steph Curry in the room. Meaning that he can create his own space, can win one-on-ones and, most surprisingly ... I didn't realize how tough he was between the tackles." [19]

On October 8, 2016, Evans registered his second 100-yard rushing game in a 78-0 victory over Rutgers. Evans led Michigan's rushing attack with 153 yards on 11 carries for an average of 13.9 yards per carry. [20]

Through the first six games of the 2016 season, Evans was Michigan's leading rusher with 400 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 48 carries, an average of 8.3 yards per carry. [21]

In the 2016 Capital One Orange Bowl, Evans scored a 30-yard touchdown to give his team the lead with less than two minutes to play. [22] Evans ultimately finished second on the team to De'Veon Smith with 614 rushing yards. His four rushing touchdowns were fifth on the team behind Smith, Khalid Hill, Ty Isaac, and Karan Higdon. [23]

2017 season

During the 2017 season, Evans mainly served as the backup running back to Karan Higdon. He had a career day against Minnesota on November 4 when he ran for 191 yards and two touchdowns. [24] Evans ultimately finished second on the team behind Higdon with 685 rushing yards on the year and six rushing touchdowns. [25]

2018 season

Evans with Michigan in 2018 MV.vsPennState.11.3.2018-0555 (45673311962).jpg
Evans with Michigan in 2018

Evans once again served as the number two back behind Karan Higdon in 2018. His most successful game came against Western Michigan on September 8, when he rushed for 86 yards and two rushing touchdowns. [26] Evans finished the year with 423 rushing yards and four touchdowns. [27]

2019 season

Evans, after the graduation of Karan Higdon, was set to be the Wolverines' leading returning rusher coming into the 2019 season as a senior. In February 2019, the team released a statement that Evans was no longer with the program. He announced via Twitter that he had "academic issues" and planned to continue his career at Michigan. [28] In June, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed that Evans would be suspended for the 2019 season, but was eligible to return in 2020. [29] It was later announced that Evans would return for the 2020 season as a fifth-year player. [30]

College statistics

SeasonTeamConfGRushingReceiving
AttYdsAvgTDRecYdsAvgTD
2016 Michigan Big Ten 13886147.0468714.50
2017 MichiganBig Ten131356855.16161579.81
2018 MichiganBig Ten10814235.24181488.21
2020 MichiganBig Ten616734.619879.70
Career423201,7955.615494799.82
All values from Sports Reference [31]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11 in
(1.80 m)		211 lb
(96 kg)		32+1⁄2 in
(0.83 m)		9+3⁄4 in
(0.25 m)		4.51 s1.51 s2.56 s4.14 s6.85 s40.5 in
(1.03 m)		10 ft 7 in
(3.23 m)		20 reps
All values from Pro Day [32] [33] [34]

2021

Evans was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round, 202nd overall, of the 2021 NFL Draft. [35] He signed his four-year rookie contract with Cincinnati on May 17. [36]

He scored his first professional touchdown on a 24-yard catch from Joe Burrow in the first quarter of the Bengals' win over the Detroit Lions on October 17, 2021. [37] Evans finished the season with 228 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns, along with 15 receptions. [38]

Although he only returned two kickoffs during the season and one when he was in college, he was named the team's starting kick returner for their playoff game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Evans returned five kickoffs for 103 yards and rushed once for nine yards in the Bengals 26-19 win. [39] He had three kickoff returns for 83 yards and a four-yard carry in the team's win against the Tennessee Titans in the divisional round. [40]

2022

Evans began the 2022 season behind Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine on the depth chart, and was named the team's primary kickoff returner. Following the bye week, he lost the kick return job to Trayveon Williams.

In Week 13, Evans scored his only touchdown of the 2022 season to finish off the Bengals' game winning drive against the Kansas City Chiefs. [41]

Evans remained a healthy inactive for the Bengals playoff run.

2023

Evans once again began his season third on the depth chart, behind Mixon and Williams on the depth chart, and yet again started the season as the team's kickoff returner, and once again, lost the job to Williams at the midseason point. [42] [43] Following the breakout of rookie Chase Brown, Evans was ruled a healthy inactive for the remainder of the season, his last game of the season being the Bengals' Week 11 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. [44]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Harbaugh</span> American football player and coach (born 1963)

James Joseph Harbaugh is an American football coach and former quarterback who is the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the head coach at the University of Michigan from 2015 to 2023, the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014, Stanford University from 2007 to 2010 and the University of San Diego from 2004 to 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1984 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1984 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1984 Big Ten Conference football season. In their 16th season under head coach Bo Schembechler, the Wolverines compiled a 6–6 record and outscored opponents by a total of 214 to 200. It was the only team in Michigan's 21 seasons under coach Schembechler that did not finish its season with a winning record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeremy Gallon</span> American football player (born 1990)

Jeremy Jermaine Gallon is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football at the University of Michigan, finishing second all-time in school history in receptions and receiving yards. He also has the all-time record for most receiving yards in a season, 1373, and the most receiving yards in a single game, 369. Gallon was drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He also played professionally in the X-League (Japan).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devin Funchess</span> American basketball player (born 1994)

Devin Akeem Funchess is an American former football wide receiver and professional basketball player for the Caribbean Storm Islands of the Baloncesto Profesional Colombiano. He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines as a tight end, and was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He was also a member of the Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shane Morris</span> American football player (born 1994)

Shane Ryan Morris is a former American football quarterback. He was a highly touted five-star prospect from De La Salle Collegiate High School in Warren, Michigan, until he endured mononucleosis midway through his senior season. He played in the 2013 Under Armour All-America Game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John O'Korn</span> American football player (born 1994)

John August O'Korn is a former American football quarterback. After attending St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he led his team to the 2012 FHSAA 7A state high school title, O'Korn chose to attend the University of Houston. He began as the starting quarterback for Houston during the 2013 season as a true freshman after teammate David Piland suffered career-ending injuries. After throwing 3,117 yards and 28 touchdowns as a freshman and honored with the American Athletic Conference Freshman Player of the Year, he lost his starting position after starting the first five games in the 2014 season. On February 5, 2015, he announced his plans to transfer to the University of Michigan, where he threw for 1,146 yards and 4 touchdowns over two years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ty Isaac</span> American football player (born 1994)

Ty Isaac is a former American football running back. He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines. He played his freshman season for the 2013 USC Trojans before transferring to the University of Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilton Speight</span> American football player (born 1994)

Robert Wilton Speight III is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines and UCLA. In high school, he was a 2014 Under Armour All-America Game selection and subsequently committed to play in college for Michigan. Speight redshirted in 2014 and was the backup quarterback in 2015. As a redshirt sophomore in 2016, he started 12 games and earned third-team All-Big Ten honors. In 2017, Speight started four games before suffering a season-ending injury. In April 2018, Speight transferred to UCLA for his final season of eligibility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 2016 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the sport of college football during the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wolverines played in the East Division of the Big Ten Conference and played their home games at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan was led by head coach Jim Harbaugh, who was in his second season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sione Houma</span> American football player (born 1994)

Sione Vea Houma is a former American football fullback.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devin Asiasi</span> American football player (born 1997)

Devin Timothy Soane Asiasi is an American football tight end who is a free agent. He played college football at UCLA. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Peters</span> American football player (born 1997)

Michael Brandon Peters is a former American football quarterback. He played college football at Michigan before transferring to Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 2017 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the sport of college football during the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wolverines played in the East Division of the Big Ten Conference and played their home games at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan was coached by Jim Harbaugh, who was in his third season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donovan Peoples-Jones</span> American football player (born 1999)

Donovan Peoples-Jones, also known as "DPJ", is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Michigan and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL draft. Peoples-Jones played high school, collegiate and professional football in the state of Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devin Bush Jr.</span> American football player (born 1998)

Devin Marquese Bush Jr. is an American football linebacker for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He was an All-American at the University of Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karan Higdon</span> American football player (born 1996)

Karan Higdon is a former American football running back. He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, where he was twice named an All-Big Ten selection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 2018 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the sport of college football during the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wolverines were members of the East Division of the Big Ten Conference and played their home games at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan was coached by Jim Harbaugh, who was in his fourth season as head coach of his alma mater.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hassan Haskins</span> American football player (born 1999)

Hassan Askiali Haskins Jr. is an American football running back for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He was an All-American at the University of Michigan, and drafted by the Titans in the 2022 NFL draft.

Giles Jackson is an American football wide receiver and kick returner for the Washington Huskies of the Pac-12 Conference. He previously played two seasons for the Michigan Wolverines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blake Corum</span> American football player (born 2000)

Blake Nolan Corum is an American football running back for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He was a two-time All-American for the Michigan Wolverines. Corum is the all-time leader for the University of Michigan in rushing touchdowns with 58, including the single season record of 27 rushing touchdowns in 2023, culminating in a national championship. He was selected by the Rams in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft.

References

  1. 1 2 Nick Baumgardner (February 17, 2016). "Versatile Chris Evans could play RB, WR or CB for Michigan: 'Whatever they need'". Mlive.com .
  2. ↑ "Chris Evans Bio". mgoblue.com. University of Michigan. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Back picks up Michigan offer". Indianapolis Star. June 2, 2015. p. C2.
  4. 1 2 3 Nick Baumgardner (August 18, 2016). "Versatile Michigan freshman Chris Evans turns heads with speed, elusiveness". Mlive.com .
  5. ↑ "Former Ben Davis star impresses football fans". Indianapolis Star. September 9, 2016. p. C4.
  6. ↑ "How Jim Harbaugh Lured Michigan's Breakout Star From Ohio State". CBS Detroit, Channel 62. September 7, 2016.
  7. ↑ Nick Baumgardner (June 9, 2015). "Chris Evans on why he chose Michigan: 'If coach Harbaugh thinks you're good, you must be'". Mlive.com .
  8. ↑ Ari Wasserman (January 7, 2016). "Ohio State offers four-star Indianapolis prospect and Michigan commit Chris Evans". The Plain Dealer .
  9. ↑ Mark Snyder (January 8, 2016). "U-M commit Evans rebuffs Ohio State offer". Detroit Free Press.
  10. ↑ Nick Baumgardner (January 8, 2016). "Four-star athlete Chris Evans reaffirms commitment to Michigan after Ohio State offer". Mlive.com .
  11. ↑ Jacob Gase (August 17, 2016). "Freshman Evans impresses teammates with explosiveness and speed". The Michigan Daily .
  12. ↑ Josh Henschke (August 17, 2016). ""Mad athletic" freshman Chris Evans impressing veteran running backs early". Scout.com.
  13. 1 2 Bob Wojnowski (September 3, 2016). "Evans leads Wolverines' youth movement". The Detroit News.
  14. ↑ "Cool Chris Evans introduces himself to Michigan Stadium, history books in stellar debut". Mlive.com. September 3, 2016.
  15. 1 2 Jeff Seidel (September 3, 2016). "Freshman RB Chris Evans dazzles in Michigan debut". Detroit Free Press.
  16. ↑ Max Bultman (September 3, 2016). ""Special" Chris Evans makes most of college debut". The Michigan Daily .
  17. ↑ Mark Snyder (September 3, 2016). "Speight's three TDs, stout defense help Michigan destroy Hawaii, 63-3". Detroit Free Press .
  18. ↑ Mitch Albom (September 3, 2016). "Michigan catches a perfect wave with easy opener over Hawaii". Detroit Free Press.
  19. ↑ Mark Snyder (September 14, 2016). "RBs coach Tyrone Wheatley: U-M freshman Chris Evans 'our Steph Curry'". Detroit Free Press.
  20. ↑ "Michigan vs. Rutgers Box Score". ESPN.com.
  21. ↑ "2016 Michigan Football Statistics (6-game Totals)". University of Michigan.
  22. ↑ "Florida State beats Michigan in Orange Bowl with bonkers final 2 minutes". December 30, 2016.
  23. ↑ "2016 Michigan Wolverines Stats". sports-reference.com. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  24. ↑ "Michigan runs wild, pulls away and routs Minnesota 33-10". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 4, 2017. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  25. ↑ "2017 Michigan Wolverines Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  26. ↑ "No. 21 Michigan bounces back with 49-3 win over W Michigan". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 8, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  27. ↑ "2018 Michigan Wolverines Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  28. ↑ Baumgardner, Nick (February 5, 2019). "Michigan's Chris Evans no longer part of football program". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  29. ↑ Chengelis, Angelique S. (June 2, 2019). "Running back Chris Evans will not play for Michigan this season". The Detroit News. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  30. ↑ Sayfie, Clayton (September 11, 2020). "Michigan Wolverines Football: Chris Evans Has More To Prove For Michigan, Sets Goals". michigan.rivals.com. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  31. ↑ "Chris Evans". sports-reference.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  32. ↑ "Chris Evans Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  33. ↑ "2021 Draft Scout Chris Evans, Michigan NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  34. ↑ "Chris Evans 2021 NFL Draft Profile". insider.espn.com. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  35. ↑ LaPlaca, Michael (May 1, 2021). "Bengals Take Running Back Chris Evans In Round 6". Bengals.com. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  36. ↑ Ortenberg, Andrew (May 17, 2021). "NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/17/21". Pro Football Rumors. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  37. ↑ Clark, Dave (October 17, 2021). "Bengals score first vs. Lions with Chris Evans' first NFL touchdown catch from Joe Burrow". The Enquirer. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  38. ↑ "Chris Evans 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  39. ↑ "Wild Card - Las Vegas Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals - January 15th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  40. ↑ "Divisional Round - Cincinnati Bengals at Tennessee Titans - January 22nd, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  41. ↑ "Chris Evans catches TD in Week 13". FantasyPros. December 5, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  42. ↑ "Bengals reveal first depth chart of 2023 season ahead of Week 1 vs. Browns". Bengals Wire. September 6, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  43. ↑ "Grading the Bengals at the NFL midseason point". A to Z Sports. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  44. ↑ "Chris Evans - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates". FOX Sports. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.