Josh Evans, FS, Florida Gators: 2013 NFL Draft Player Profile

Nov 24, 2012; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Josh Evans (9) celebrates after linebacker Jelani Jenkins (not pictured) made an interception against the Florida State Seminoles during the first half at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 207 pounds

Drafted By: Jacksonville Jaguars (Sixth Round, 169th overall)

40 Yard Dash: 4.58

Bench Press: DNP

Vertical Jump: 34.5″

Broad Jump: 123″

2012 Stats

Career Highlights (via Florida athletics site)

CAREER:

Defensive back who appeared in 47 games (24 starts at safety) and recorded 154 tackles…Also competed with the UF track team during the spring indoor season in 2010.

2012:

Started all 13 games at safety…Led the team in tackles on the season with 79, including 2.5 sacks and 4.5 TFL…Tallied five or more tackles in 12 of 13 games…Led the team in tackles four times (Texas A&M, South Carolina, Missouri and Louisiana)…Closed his collegiate career with four tackles and an interception in the Sugar Bowl against Louisville…Had seven tackles against Jacksonville State, including 1.5 TFL…Recorded a career-high 12 tackles against Missouri and had his second interception of the season against the Tigers in the end zone to preserve the Gators’ victory…Grabbed his first interception of the season against Georgia…Tallied sacks against LSU and Vanderbilt.

2011:

Saw action in all 13 games, making eight starts…Finished the season with 51 tackles, fifth-most on the team… Tallied five tackles, a sack and recovered a fumble in UF’s Gator Bowl victory over Ohio State…Made a career-best and team-leading 11 tackles at South Carolina…Registered a TFL at Auburn…Grabbed his second-career interception against Tennessee.

2010:

Appeared in all 13 games, starting the first three games of his career…Started on the kickoff return unit all season…Started the third game of his career and season in the 2011 Outback Bowl triumph against Penn State, collecting four tackles…Notched his first-career interception in the road win at Vanderbilt, returning it 36 yards… Registered two tackles against Alabama…Saw time on defense and special teams in the triumph vs. Kentucky, tallying three tackles…Made his second-career start in the win over USF, tallying one tackle…Made his first career start and collected two tackles against Miami University…Graded out as a Champion vs. Miami University.

2009:

Totaled six tackles, including four solo, as a true freshman playing special teams and backing up at safety…Recorded one tackle in the Sugar Bowl win over Cincinnati…Had two tackles in the regular-season finale vs. FSU…Collected his first career tackle against Troy.

Scouting Report/Player Notes

I think Evans is a pretty underrated player. He is not going to ‘wow’ you in any certain athletic category, but I think he can come into the NFL and be a very solid reserve safety and a guy who can be a valuable contributor on special teams. He had a nice senior season with the Gators with 83 tackles, three interceptions, and five tackles for loss in all. Part of one of the more dominant defenses in college football in 2012 at Florida, where he showed some impressive closing speed and despite his 4.58 40 yard dash, I think he is a guy who could be a very capable center fielder in the NFL. He could probably start a few games for your team and develop into a solid starter overall who is a good not great tackler, and can occasionally come up with a turnover. He could be valuable as a blitzing safety as well. Solid overall prospect who can be had in the middle-later rounds.

Video Highlights (via YouTube)