Outside linebacker Rashaan Evans is one of few names in search of a monster season for Alabama in 2016.
The Auburn (Ala.) High School product increased his sack total last season, bringing down four quarterbacks as opposed to one during his freshman year in 2014.
Evans, 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, showed his skill set on the edge in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. He accounted for the Crimson Tide’s lone two sacks of Clemson’s quarterback Deshaun Watson. Evans added three total tackles, including two for loss to his stat sheet.
He finished 2015 with 10 tackles, four tackles for loss and three quarterback hurries.
Now a rising junior, Evans has experience to go with his talents as an edge rusher.
Former Alabama linebacker Dillon Lee was a guy “that could play many positions,” according to Georgia’s head coach Kirby Smart (ex-Alabama defensive coordinator). Lee’s size permitted him to play at either inside or outside ‘backer.’
Defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt had Evans working beside Shaun Dion Hamilton, Keith Holcombe, Adonis Thomas and Reuben Foster at Alabama’s first spring practice.
Pruitt’s attacking style, attention to details and familiarity with the Tide could result in Evans taking in the role left behind by Lee as he goes to the NFL Draft.
Jonathan Allen, Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson all return as the team’s top three pass rushers from last season.
Evans is in for an opportunity to add his name to the list.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
