Rashaan Evans
in our view
Roquan Smith and Tremaine Evans have the kind of speed and movement skills at the linebacker position to hear their names called in the drafts first 15 picks, but Evans isnt as far off as some might think. Hes more football player than elite athlete, but he diagnoses well, is suffocating against the run, and tackles as well as any defender in this class. Hes not the fluid, do-it-all coverage guy that some of his classmates are, but hell likely hear his name called in Round 1 by a team looking for a thumper in the middle who can quickly disseminate information and operate as a front-sevens quarterback.
strengths
Played defensive end in high school and it shows. He can rush the passer from the inside, outside, or even from a three-point stance. Has unheard of violence when tackling. Explodes into ball-carriers and lays them out leaving no room for yards after contact. Wraps up well and has a genuine passion for inflicting pain. Very disciplined in his assignments against the run and scans the line and backfield well to find the ball-carrier. Can move very well sideline-to-sideline, and shows better range than his 40 time would suggest. Diagnoses quickly and accurately and wades through traffic to find and impact the ball without wasted movement or hesitation. Has quick, tight feet and does not overrun backs or passers. Can reach the flats to defend short passes and stretch runs. Ferociously takes on blockers, jars them initially, and sheds in time to make the play. Maintains excellent leverage when engaging, gets under the blocker, and knocks them off balance while keeping his feet moving so that he doesnt sacrifice ability to get to the football. Was a leader on an Alabama defense that dominated at times during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Vocal, heady player with a football background in his family - dad was a running back at Auburn. Does a nice job staying agile and fleet-footed when asked to drop in coverage and can run with backs and tight ends. Gets his hands on route runners early to keep them from reaching the seam unencumbered. Hunter Ansley 2/2/2018
compares to
Demario Davis, New York Jets Davis wasnt as highly thought of coming out due in part to his lower level of competition, but both players are fierce run defenders who level running backs with devastation and know how to use their strength and diagnostic skills to make plays consistently. Like Davis, Evans will likely find a happier home on the inside of a 3-4 defense, but his ceiling is higher and his time contributing as a leader in Nick Sabans defense will accelerate his acclimation to the NFL.
weaknesses
Can get myopic and will miss his gap assignment due to aggressiveness. Can get lost in zone coverage if passer is given a clean pocket and has time. Will drift into no-mans land at times and is clearly more comfortable playing downhill against the run. Does not open hips well to run with speedier backs and receivers and will allow separation if he cant get his hands on them to redirect their routes early. Occasionally gets caught leaning back on heels and struggles to move laterally on late-developing plays. Has enough speed, but certainly not a track star and straight line speed isnt going to threaten any sprinters. Doesnt posess the agility to man the middle of a 4-3 on his own. Hunter Ansley 2/2/2018
One of the top outside linebackers in the class of 2014 and a five-star prospect out of Auburn High School
Parade All-American
second team MaxPreps All-American
selected to participate in the Under Armour All-America Game
No. 11 in the final 247Sports Top 247 as well as the sites No. 1 outside linebacker and No. 2 player in Alabama
No. 15 nationally in the 247Sports Composite rankings while also rating as the No. 1 OLB and No. 2 player in the state
No. 9 in the final Scout300 and the No. 1 outside linebacker
14th in the Rivals100, the No. 1 outside linebacker and No. 3 player in Alabama Rated 52nd in the ESPN300 and the No. 2 outside linebacker nationally
ESPN listed him as the No. 4 player in the state and No. 30 player in the Southeast Region
four-star member of the PrepStar Top 150 Dream Team
ranked 184th-ranked player in the class of 2014 by PrepStar
No. 1 on the final 2014 AL.com A-List
named first team 6A All-State by the Alabama Sports Writers Association as a senior in 2013 and named the ASWA 6A Lineman of the Year
selected to the AL.com 2013 Super All-State Team
finished with 77 tackles including 43 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks as a senior, while adding five pass breakups, three forced fumbles, a blocked punt and a fumble recovery
played in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game
first team ASWA 6A All-State selection as a junior in 2012
played for head coach Tim Carter at Auburn High School
chose Alabama over Auburn and UCLA.
2017
| fumbles | ||
|---|---|---|
| REC | LOST | FUM |
| 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| defensive | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TFL | QB HUR | TOT | TD | PD | SACKS | SOLO |
| 13.0 | 7.0 | 74.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 35.0 |
2016
| fumbles | ||
|---|---|---|
| REC | LOST | FUM |
| 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| defensive | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TFL | QB HUR | TOT | TD | PD | SACKS | SOLO |
| 4.5 | 6.0 | 52.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 31.0 |
Physical Attributes:
| Proj Rd: | 1.0 |
| Height: | 6-2 |
| Weight: | 232.0 |
| Forty: | 4.73 |
| Arm: | 32 1/4 |
| Hand: | 10.0 |
| Wingspan: | -- |
Pro Day Results:
| Cone: | -- |
| Bench: | -- |
| Shuttle: | -- |
| 10: | -- |
| 20: | -- |
| 40: | -- |
| BJ: | -- |
| VJ: | -- |
Combine Results:
| Cone: | 6.95 |
| Bench: | -- |
| Shuttle: | 4.36 |
| 10: | -- |
| 20: | -- |
| 40: | -- |
| BJ: | 09'08" |
| VJ: | 30.0 |