Profiles In Terpage – A Countdown To The Football Season: Ian Evans
By petevolk
A recurring series where we will profile every player and coach on Maryland’s roster, counting down to kick-off against Miami. Thanks to OBNUG for the idea.
Today we profile a tweener from the 2010 recruiting class.
Ian Evans, Freshman (RS), Defensive End
Stats:
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 255
Ratings: Three stars by Rivals, #25 in New Jersey; two stars, #126 defensive end by Scout; three stars, #36 outside linebacker by ESPN
40-yard dash time: 4.49
High School Stats (senior year): 52 tackles, 17 sacks, seven quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles, 17 receptions for 360 yards and three touchdowns
High School: Hammonton High School (Atco, Nj.)
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 this year’s new staff agreed with that decision.
Since coming into Maryland, Evans has gained about 20 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 last year, playing on the scout team and solidifying a spot on the outside. He is one of five defensive linemen in that 2010 class, and three of them will start this year – Clarence Murphy, Andre Monroe, and David Mackall. Evans and Darius Kilgo will come off the bench.
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.
More after the jump.
Nickname:
“The Welshman”. I have no evidence of Evans’ heritage, but he does share a name with a Welsh rugby player on my favorite team, so that’s enough for me.
Career Highlight:
Getting to go to college on scholarship. In an interview with a local paper, he said he never thought he’d get the opportunity to go to college.
Career Lowlight:
Not getting offered by the hometown school, Rutgers.
Arbitrary Top Four List:
Locks (second row players) on the Ospreys squad:
1. Alun Wyn Jones
2. Ian Evans
3. Ian Gough
4. James Goode
Dream season:
Evans gets some playing time, either at defensive end (where he’s at now) or at ROCK (where he seems better suited).
Nightmare season:
Garbage time in the Towson game.
2011 prospectus:
I’m surprised to see Ian Evans on the depth chart as a defensive end, not at the hybrid defensive end/linebacker position of ROCK. As a ‘tweener coming out of high school who specializes in pass rushing off the edge and getting to the ball, it seems like that would be his best fit. For now, however, he’s at defensive end, behind starter Clarence Murphy and Bradley Johnson (another ROCK-type player). At ROCK, it’s starter David Mackall, Isaiah Ross (more of a defensive end type, I think), walk-on Alvin Thomas and Marcus Whitfield. Regardless of where Evans stands on the depth chart, he’s probably equally likely to get playing time at either position (which is to say, not very likely at all).
Evans has a lot of players in front of him who are in the same year as him, which does not bode well for future playing time. This year, he’s probably going to spend a lot of time on special teams, and eventually he’ll be able to work his way up to playing time on the defensive line. For now, however, he’s stuck behind a lot of really talented guys and is going to have to work extremely hard just to see time on the field.
Up Next:
Our next player is a converted offensive guard.