Evans with theCincinnati Bengals in 2017 | |||||||||||||
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| Position | Linebacker | ||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born | (1995-01-27)January 27, 1995 (age 30) Norman, Oklahoma, U.S. | ||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight | 242 lb (110 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school | Norman North | ||||||||||||
| College | Oklahoma (2013–2016) | ||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 2017: 6th round, 193rd overall pick | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||
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Jordan Evans (born January 27, 1995) is an American former professionalfootball player who was alinebacker for theCincinnati Bengals in theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theOklahoma Sooners.
Evans attended and playedcollege football at theUniversity of Oklahoma. He contributed from 2013 to 2016.[1] On October 3, 2015, againstWest Virginia, he recorded afumble recovery, which he took 41 yards for atouchdown.[2] In 2016, Evans was named first-team All-Big 12 by the league's coaches and the AP.
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | Ast | Tot | Loss | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | TD | PD | FR | Yds | TD | FF | ||||||
| 2013 | Oklahoma | Big 12 | FR | LB | 2 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | Oklahoma | Big 12 | SO | LB | 13 | 56 | 37 | 93 | 6.5 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2015 | Oklahoma | Big 12 | JR | LB | 10 | 47 | 31 | 78 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 41 | 1 | 1 |
| 2016 | Oklahoma | Big 12 | SR | LB | 13 | 55 | 43 | 98 | 9.5 | 2.5 | 4 | 145 | 36.3 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Career | 38 | 164 | 117 | 281 | 21.0 | 3.5 | 5 | 145 | 29.0 | 2 | 16 | 3 | 41 | 1 | 4 | ||||
| Height | Weight | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 232 lb (105 kg) | 4.51 s | 1.56 s | 2.67 s | 4.17 s | 7.01 s | 38+1⁄2 in (0.98 m) | 9 ft 11 in (3.02 m) | 19 reps | |||
| All values fromOklahoma’s Pro Day[3] | ||||||||||||
TheCincinnati Bengals selected Evans in the sixth round (193rd overall) of the2017 NFL draft.[4] Evans was the 23rdlinebacker drafted in 2017.[5] On May 15, 2017, the Bengals signed Evans to a four-year, $2.55 million contract that includes asigning bonus of $156,506.[6]
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Throughouttraining camp, Evans competed for a roster spot againstBrandon Bell,Bryson Albright,Paul Dawson,Hardy Nickerson Jr., andMarquis Flowers.[7] Head coachMarvin Lewis named Evans a backup outside linebacker to begin the regular season, behindNick Vigil,Vincent Rey, andCarl Lawson.[8][9]
He made his professional regular season debut in the Bengals’ season-opener against theBaltimore Ravens and made one solo tackle during their 20–0 loss. Evans was inactive for the Bengals’ Week 4 victory at theCleveland Browns due to a hamstring injury.[10] On December 4, 2017, Evans earned his first career start in place of Vigil who was inactive due to a knee injury. Evans recorded five combined tackles during a 23–20 loss to thePittsburgh Steelers in Week 13. In Week 14, he collected a season-high ten combined tackles (nine solo) as the Bengals lost 33–7 to theChicago Bears. He finished his rookie season in2017 with 38 combined tackles (27 solo) and two pass deflections in 15 games and four starts.[11]
On January 8, 2018, the Bengals announced their decision to hire formerDetroit Lions’ defensive coordinatorTeryl Austin as the new defensive coordinator after it was left vacant by the departure ofPaul Guenther to theOakland Raiders.[12] Evans entered training camp slated as a starting outside linebacker. Head coachMarvin Lewis named Evans the starting weakside linebacker to begin the regular season, alongside Vigil and middle linebackerPreston Brown.[13] Evans started in place ofVontaze Burfict who was serving a four-game suspension.[14]
On October 23, 2018, Evans collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (seven solo), deflected a pass, made 1.5sacks, and made his first careerinterception during a 37–34 win against theTampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 8.[15] Evans intercepted a pass by Buccaneers’ quarterbackJameis Winston, that was intended for tight endCameron Brate, and returned it for a seven-yard gain during the third quarter.[16] On November 13, 2018, the Bengals announced their decision to fire defensive coordinator Teryl Austin after they lost 51–14 to theNew Orleans Saints in Week 10. Head coach Marvin Lewis stated he would take over duties as defensive coordinator for the remainder of the season.[17] He was placed oninjured reserve on December 28, 2018 with an ankle injury.[18] He finished his second season fifth on the team with 61 tackles through 14 games and five starts.[19]
Evans was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on November 7, 2020,[20] and was activated on November 11.[21]
Evans re-signed with the Bengals on a one-year contract on March 28, 2021.[22] He was placed on injured reserve on October 11, 2021 after suffering a torn ACL in Week 5.[23]
On November 17, 2022, Evans was drafted by theSeattle Sea Dragons of theXFL.[24] He was placed on the reserve list by the team on April 13, 2023.[25] The Sea Dragons folded when the XFL andUnited States Football League (USFL) merged to create theUnited Football League (UFL).[26]
On January 5, 2024, Evans was selected by theDC Defenders during the2024 UFL dispersal draft.[27] He was waived on March 21.[28] He announced his retirement on April 21, 2024.[29]
His father Scott Evans played college football atOklahoma and for thePhoenix Cardinals in the NFL. His sister, Jacie Evans, played college basketball atHarding[30] and his sister, Jessika Evans, played college basketball atTulsa.[31][32] He earned his Masters degree fromKelley School of Business atIndiana University Bloomington.[33]