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http://alabama.247sports.com/Article/Alabama-linebacker-Rashaan-Evans-is-a-freak-of-nature-36711396
Alabama OLB Rashaan Evans is a 'freak of nature'
Rashaan Evans ran out onto the field in the second of four media viewing periods of Alabama’s Wednesday spring practice. He lined up as the Jack linebacker with what appeared to be the second-team defense, as the Crimson Tide worked on its nickel formation in its 10th practice.
Evans recorded one sack and two tackles for loss in 13 games a season ago. (Photo: UA Athletics)
Rising redshirt junior Ryan Anderson was slated in the first-team Jack spot, while Evans, a rising true sophomore, seemed to have jumped ahead of a couple of older players. Sure, it was just one drill, and Alabama’s two starters from a season ago – Xzavier Dickson, who is out of eligibility, and Denzel Devall, who is out all spring with a foot injury – are not walking out onto the field this spring.
But according to head coach Nick Saban, Evans and fellow outside linebacker Tim Williams have both seen a great deal of improvement in 10 days of spring practice.
“The two that started last year aren’t out there playing, so this has been a tremendous opportunity for the young players, Tim Williams, Rashaan Evans.” Saban said. “… This is really invaluable that they are able to take as many reps as they can, sometimes even with the starters. And they both made a lot of progress.
“Both those guys can help us from an ability standpoint, but they’re going to have to learn to be consistent, do their job on a consistent basis, have a better understanding of the system and scheme so they can play fast and with confidence. But I think those two guys have really benefitted tremendously.”
Evans arrived on campus last May as a five-star recruit out of Auburn High School. He was the No. 1 outside linebacker prospect and the No. 15 overall recruit in the 2014 cycle, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
Those accolades have led to a steady progression on the field for Evans in less than a year in college. As a true freshman last season, he registered 14 total tackles (11 solo), one sack, two tackles for loss and three quarterback hurries on both special teams and in a reserve role on the defensive side of the football.
Against Florida Atlantic in the second game of the season, Evans burst off the edge, untouched, to sack Owls quarterback Greg Hankerson. It was Evan’s first and only sack of the year. Check it out in the video below:
https://mtc.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/32...p4?versionId=hajRCM8H1GF0aen.K3Rh4Ra.rh5pMn0F
That explosive nature has carried over to the spring for Evans, as fellow outside linebacker Dillon Lee, who was lined up at the Will linebacker spot with the second-team defense on Wednesday, has witnessed firsthand in practice.
Lee has seen Evan’s speed, and other things, on the field in the past few weeks.
“A lot of good things. He’s a good player,” Lee said after Wednesday’s practice. “He’s really fast, he’s quick. He’s learning and getting better every day.”
Evans, like Saban mentioned, has taken advantage of his opportunities this spring with an open spot in the OLB line, which should lead to more meaningful snaps for him this fall. Lee will likely only line up as an outside linebacker in the team’s base formation, which is a rare sight to behold. And that only leaves Anderson, Devall and Williams as players with more game experience than Evans on Alabama’s roster for next season.
Now, the only obstacle in Evans’ path to a stellar season is his ability to absorb the team’s playbook, according to rising senior linebacker Reggie Ragland, who has spent a few periods practicing with the outside linebackers.
“The thing is he’s got to keep learning that playbook and just keep growing and maturing as the weeks and days and years go by,” Ragland said after a practice earlier this spring. “If he keeps maturing, like Shawne Merriman says, he’s a freak. He’s a freak of nature, for real.
“The things I’ve seen him do, some people don’t get a chance to see that and play with a guy like that. If he does what he needs to do he can be very freakish.”
Evans and his teammates will return to the field Friday at 3:30 p.m. CT for their 11th spring practice.
Alabama OLB Rashaan Evans is a 'freak of nature'
- Charlie Potter - 61 minutes ago
- 6
Rashaan Evans ran out onto the field in the second of four media viewing periods of Alabama’s Wednesday spring practice. He lined up as the Jack linebacker with what appeared to be the second-team defense, as the Crimson Tide worked on its nickel formation in its 10th practice.
Evans recorded one sack and two tackles for loss in 13 games a season ago. (Photo: UA Athletics)
Rising redshirt junior Ryan Anderson was slated in the first-team Jack spot, while Evans, a rising true sophomore, seemed to have jumped ahead of a couple of older players. Sure, it was just one drill, and Alabama’s two starters from a season ago – Xzavier Dickson, who is out of eligibility, and Denzel Devall, who is out all spring with a foot injury – are not walking out onto the field this spring.
But according to head coach Nick Saban, Evans and fellow outside linebacker Tim Williams have both seen a great deal of improvement in 10 days of spring practice.
“The two that started last year aren’t out there playing, so this has been a tremendous opportunity for the young players, Tim Williams, Rashaan Evans.” Saban said. “… This is really invaluable that they are able to take as many reps as they can, sometimes even with the starters. And they both made a lot of progress.
“Both those guys can help us from an ability standpoint, but they’re going to have to learn to be consistent, do their job on a consistent basis, have a better understanding of the system and scheme so they can play fast and with confidence. But I think those two guys have really benefitted tremendously.”
Evans arrived on campus last May as a five-star recruit out of Auburn High School. He was the No. 1 outside linebacker prospect and the No. 15 overall recruit in the 2014 cycle, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
Those accolades have led to a steady progression on the field for Evans in less than a year in college. As a true freshman last season, he registered 14 total tackles (11 solo), one sack, two tackles for loss and three quarterback hurries on both special teams and in a reserve role on the defensive side of the football.
Against Florida Atlantic in the second game of the season, Evans burst off the edge, untouched, to sack Owls quarterback Greg Hankerson. It was Evan’s first and only sack of the year. Check it out in the video below:
https://mtc.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/32...p4?versionId=hajRCM8H1GF0aen.K3Rh4Ra.rh5pMn0F
That explosive nature has carried over to the spring for Evans, as fellow outside linebacker Dillon Lee, who was lined up at the Will linebacker spot with the second-team defense on Wednesday, has witnessed firsthand in practice.
Lee has seen Evan’s speed, and other things, on the field in the past few weeks.
“A lot of good things. He’s a good player,” Lee said after Wednesday’s practice. “He’s really fast, he’s quick. He’s learning and getting better every day.”
Evans, like Saban mentioned, has taken advantage of his opportunities this spring with an open spot in the OLB line, which should lead to more meaningful snaps for him this fall. Lee will likely only line up as an outside linebacker in the team’s base formation, which is a rare sight to behold. And that only leaves Anderson, Devall and Williams as players with more game experience than Evans on Alabama’s roster for next season.
Now, the only obstacle in Evans’ path to a stellar season is his ability to absorb the team’s playbook, according to rising senior linebacker Reggie Ragland, who has spent a few periods practicing with the outside linebackers.
“The thing is he’s got to keep learning that playbook and just keep growing and maturing as the weeks and days and years go by,” Ragland said after a practice earlier this spring. “If he keeps maturing, like Shawne Merriman says, he’s a freak. He’s a freak of nature, for real.
“The things I’ve seen him do, some people don’t get a chance to see that and play with a guy like that. If he does what he needs to do he can be very freakish.”
Evans and his teammates will return to the field Friday at 3:30 p.m. CT for their 11th spring practice.
