WATCH: Ole Miss' Zach Evans could prove a sixth-round steal for the Los Angeles Rams
Few, if any, draft-hopeful Ole Miss football Rebel flew under the radar more than running back Zach Evans.
Like wide receiver Jonathan Mingo and a few other of his now-former Ole Miss teammates, Evans was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in February. However, and as was an issue in his one and only Ole Miss season, injuries kept him from competing, though he did show well at Ole Miss Pro Day.
His durability was reportedly a concern for NFL scouts, and understandably so. But he entered the 2023 NFL Draft this weekend with an impressive career resume. Evans in the 2020 recruiting class was ranked as the No. 1 running back in the country and a five-star prospect. He averaged some seven yards per carry over his college career.
Evans had Top-30 visits with the Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But on Saturday, on the draft’s final day, Evans heard his name called from the Los Angeles Rams in the sixth round (No. 215 overall).
Four Rebels (Mingo, EDGE Tavius Robinson and offensive lineman Nick Broeker) were drafted. Six others have signed undrafted free agent contracts with various NFL teams.
“He’s got explosive long speed and great body control,” Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin previously said of Evans. “He’s not afraid to be physical. I expect him to make an impact wherever he ends up.”
Evans last season picked up third-team All-SEC honors from Pro Football Focus.
He appeared in 12 games (eight starts) following a transfer from TCU and had 936 rushing yards on 144 carries and nine touchdowns. Evans also hauled in 12 catches for 119 yards and another score.
His 6.5 yards per carry led the SEC and were No. 10 nationally. He had a career-high 207 rushing yards on 17 total carries against Arkansas — the fourth time last season Evans eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark in a game. The performance is the 12th-highest single-game rushing total in school history.
Let’s take one last look back at Evans’ short, but sweet, Rebel season/career, with highlights provided by Ole Miss Athletics.
