Rashaan Evans is aware that his time has come. After watching fellow Auburn (Ala.) native and former teammate Reuben Foster win the Dick Butkus Award last season, the rising senior has a goal for 2017.
https://twitter.com/616evans4/status/834209235638575104
Following a breakout year in 2016, Evans will enter next fall competing with Shaun Dion Hamilton for a starting role at inside linebacker. The 6-foot-3, 231-pounder totaled 53 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, six quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and a forced fumble. His finest moment came in the Southeastern Conference title game versus Florida, when Evans exploded into the backfield to tackle Gators’ running back Jordan Scarlett (-1) on third and goal. Alabama would ultimately win the match-up, 54-16 in Atlanta.
Named after College and Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus, the Butkus Award has been presented annually to the top linebackers in high school, college and professional football since 1985.
Joining Reuben Foster as previous Crimson Tide winners are: Derrick Thomas (1988), Rolando McClain (2009) and C.J. Mosley (2013). Reggie Ragland, who was selected in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, was a finalist for the award in 2015. In three seasons, Evans has compiled 77 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, 12 quarterback pressures and a forced fumble. Prior to signing in the Tide’s 2014 recruiting class, he was the nation’s top-ranked outside linebacker prospect and a five-star recruit.
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 @Smsmith_TDALMag.
