A recurring series where we will profile every player on Maryland's roster, counting down to kick-off against William & Mary on September 1. Thanks to OBNUG for the idea.
Today we profile a player who could see time as a reserve defensive end this year.
Ian Evans, Sophomore (RS), Defensive End, #57
via grfx.cstv.com
Stats:
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 270
Major: Letters and Sciences
Twitter: @IANLAMAR57
Collegiate Stats: Seven tackles (four assisted), one for a loss, 0.5 sacks
High School Stats (Senior Year): 52 tackles, 17 sacks, seven quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, 17 receptions for 360 yards and three touchdowns
Recruiting Ratings: Three stars by Rivals (#25 in Nj.), ESPN (#36 OLB), two stars by Scout (#126 DE)
High School: Hammonton
Hometown: Atco, Nj.
High School Highlights:
How'd He Get to College Park?
Ian Evans was a lowly-hyped prospect coming out of Hammonton, and many (myself included) thought he’d be best suited as a linebacker at the next level. He’s a great pass rusher off the edge, however, so the Maryland coaches decided to stick him on the defensive line last year, and last year’s new staff agreed with that decision.
Since coming into Maryland, Evans has gained about 35 pounds as he continues to grow closer to defensive end size. Former running backs coach John Donovan brought him to Maryland, and Evans was also offered by Syracuse and Temple. He was recruited by hometown school Rutgers, but Greg Schiano and co. didn’t offer him a scholarship.
Evans took a redshirt season in 2010, playing on the scout team and solidifying a spot on the outside. Last year, he saw some time off the bench in the last four games of the season, recording three tackles against both Virginia and Wake Forest.
Evans was named the South Jersey Defensive Player of the Year by the Philadelphia Inquirer, was third team all-state, and was first team All-Group 3.
Nickname:
Ian "i.e." Evans
Career Highlight:
The three-tackle games against Virginia and Wake Forest.
Career Lowlight:
N/A
Dream Season:
Evans becomes a key role player, alternating between defensive end and linebacker.
Nightmare Season:
Garbage time against William & Mary.
2012 Prospectus:
Ian Evans is currently behind starter Keith Bowers and converted defensive tackle Andre Monroe at one of the defensive end positions, and while it's possible he ends up getting playing time, it's kind of hard to see. Bowers did a very good job as a true freshman starter last year, and Monroe was fantastic as an interior lineman last season
Even at the other defensive end position, there's a lot of depth. Behind Joe Vellano are two talented upper-classmen in Isaiah Ross and Justin Anderson and a very good young player that we recently profiled in Quinton Jefferson.
The problem with Evans has always been that he's a tweener. Coming out of high school he weighed about 235 pounds, and he has since bulked up to 270. He was always an effective pass rusher, but just didn't have the size to play at the ACC level. Now that he has the bulk (or at least close to it), the only question left is whether or not he lost his speed when he gained all the weight.
If he didn't, Evans is just another option in a stable of defensive ends, and one that can drop back to linebacker when needed. If he did, at least the Terps have a bevy of other options at the position.
Up Next:
Our next player went to high school in the county that was the first part of the Thirteen Colonies to declare independence from Great Britain.
Kbuts151 got yesterday's right, giving us a four-way tie for second place.
Standings:
Maryland1206 - 4
Terpsfinish - 1
ClickClack62 - 1
Mdak06 - 1
kbuts151 - 1
Everybody else - 0