Evans was born on July 19, 2001, in Mount Airy, North Carolina, and grew up there.[1] He attended North Surry High School and played football and track, additionally being a member of the National Honor Society.[2][3] He set several school kicking records, including for longest made field goal (51 yards), most career field goals (17) and most career extra points (77).[4] He twice was named the Western Piedmont 2A Conference Specialist of the Year and was invited to the state's East–West All-Star Game after graduating, becoming the first North Surry player to participate in the event in 23 years and only the eighth overall.[4] Evans committed to play college football for the Division IIWingate Bulldogs.[4]
College career
Evans ended up becoming one of the all-time best special teams players at Wingate, in his stint spanning from the 2019 season to 2022.[4] He was their starting punter and handled kickoff duties in all four seasons, additionally handling field goals and extra points as a senior.[5]
Evans had his best season as a senior, posting 67 kickoffs for 4,180 yards with a 62.4 average and 44 touchbacks, and 77 punts for 3,518 yards, averaging 45.69 yards per punt, a total that ranked second-best in the NCAA Division II.[4] He additionally had 39 punts inside the 20 and 30 that went more than 50 yards, and went 10-for-18 on field goals with a long of 41, as well as 43-of-44 on extra points.[4] Evans twice was named the national player of the week by D2Football.com and was named first-team all-conference, all-region, and a D2CCA first-team All-American.[4] He also was named first-team All-American by Associated Press (AP), being one of three Wingate players to earn the honor that year.[4]
Evans finished his career at Wingate having appeared in 39 games and made 186 punts for 8,027 yards (averaging 43.2 yards per punt) with a long of 72 yards.[4] He had 47 fair catches, 53 punts of more than 50 yards and 89 inside the 20-yard line. Additionally, on kickoffs, he posted 213 kicks for 13,230 yards (an average of 62.1) with 120 touchbacks.[4] Evans was invited to the Hula Bowl and was also one of only four Division II players to be chosen for the East–West Shrine Bowl in 2023.[4]
Evans was selected in the seventh round (223rd overall) of the 2023 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams, being the highest-selected Division II player in that draft and only the second Wingate Bulldog to ever be drafted.[5][8] He was also chosen in the tenth round (73rd overall) of the 2023 USFL draft by the Pittsburgh Maulers.[9]
In Week 11 of the 2023 season, Evans was named National Football Conference Special Teams Player of the Week, the first Ram to be awarded a player of the week recognition in the season.[10] In the 2023 season, Evans had 63 punts for 3,101 yards for a 49.22 average.[11]