Zachary Evans Bio
Zachary Evans is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). Born on May 30, 2001, in Houston, Texas, he emerged as one of the most highly-touted high school running backs in the country before embarking on his collegiate career. Evans was selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, ultimately appearing in 10 games during his rookie season. Following his time with the Rams, he joined the New York Jets practice squad before announcing his retirement from professional football in July 2025.
Early Life and Background
Evans grew up in Houston, Texas, where he attended North Shore High School. During his high school career, he established himself as an exceptional talent, earning a five-star recruit rating and being ranked as the number one player in the state of Texas in the 2020 recruiting class by 247Sports.com. His performances drew comparisons to NFL running back Melvin Gordon of the Denver Broncos.
Despite his athletic success, Evans encountered disciplinary issues during his senior year. In 2019, he violated the team’s cell phone rules, which resulted in a suspension that prevented him from playing in the state championship game. This incident had significant consequences for his college commitment, as he had previously been committed to the University of Georgia but was ultimately released from his National Letter of Intent.
Path to College Football
Following his release from Georgia, Evans redirected his focus and eventually committed to Texas Christian University (TCU). His commitment was historically significant, as Evans became the first-ever five-star recruit in TCU football history. This milestone underscored his status as one of the most sought-after high school running backs in the nation and generated considerable attention for the TCU football program.
Evans enrolled at TCU in 2020, transitioning from high school football to the collegiate level. He joined a TCU Horned Frogs program that was developing into a Big 12 Conference contender, and he immediately demonstrated his ability to contribute at the Division I level despite the challenges of adjusting to faster competition.
Zachary Evans Career
TCU Years (2020–2021)
As a true freshman during the 2020 season, Evans played in nine games for the Horned Frogs. He demonstrated his explosiveness and ability to find running lanes, finishing the season with 415 rushing yards and four touchdowns. His rookie campaign provided a solid foundation as he adapted to the speed and physical demands of Big 12 football.
The 2021 season showed Evans’ potential as an every-down back, though his campaign was cut short by injury. In just six games, he accumulated 648 rushing yards and five touchdowns, averaging an impressive yards-per-carry figure. Unfortunately, a turf toe injury sustained during a game against Texas Tech ended his season prematurely. Despite the abbreviated appearance, his per-game production was among the most efficient in the conference.
Ole Miss Transfer (2022)
Following the injury-plagued 2021 season, Evans entered the transfer portal and chose to continue his collegiate career at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), joining the Rebels program under head coach Lane Kiffin. The move represented an opportunity for Evans to rejuvenate his career and showcase his talents in a different offensive system.
The 2022 season proved to be Evans’ most productive collegiate year. He rushed for 936 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 6.5 yards per carry, ranking 10th in the FBS in yards per carry. His performance demonstrated his ability to be a featured back in a major college football program. After the season concluded, Evans declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, concluding his collegiate career on a high note.
Los Angeles Rams (2023–2024)
Evans’ professional dreams became reality when he was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the 215th overall pick. The selection represented the culmination of his journey from highly-touted high school recruit to professional athlete.
During his rookie season, Evans appeared in 10 games for the Rams, playing both on offense and special teams. He carried the ball nine times for 19 yards during the regular season. While his statistical output was limited in his debut campaign, he gained valuable experience in the Rams’ offensive scheme and learned the intricacies of professional football. He was not active for the Rams’ playoff loss to the Detroit Lions.
In August 2024, Evans was released by the Rams. He was re-signed to the team’s practice squad the following day before being released again, creating uncertainty about his professional future.
New York Jets (2024–2025)
Evans’ NFL career continued when he was signed to the New York Jets practice squad on December 17, 2024. The opportunity allowed him to remain in the league and continue developing his skills with a new organization. Following the 2024 season, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Jets on January 6, 2025, signaling the team’s interest in his potential for the upcoming season.
However, Evans announced his retirement from professional football on July 28, 2025, bringing his brief NFL career to a close after just two seasons. His departure from the sport marked the end of a journey that began with extraordinary high school accolades and included memorable collegiate performances at both TCU and Ole Miss.
Playing Style and Strengths
Evans was known for his quickness, elusiveness, and ability to make defenders miss in open space. His 6.5 yards per carry average at Ole Miss highlighted his big-play capability and breakaway speed. At 5 feet 11 inches and 202 pounds, he possessed a compact frame that allowed him to be effective between the tackles while also possessing the agility to contribute as a receiver out of the backfield.
Notable Moments and Career Summary
Among Evans’ career highlights were his record-setting performances at the collegiate level, particularly his 648-yard, five-touchdown season at TCU in limited action and his 936-yard, nine-touchdown campaign at Ole Miss. Being selected in the 2023 NFL Draft fulfilled his professional aspirations, while his appearance in 10 NFL games provided him with valuable experience at the sport’s highest level.
Zachary Evans Career Statistics
Evans accumulated modest but meaningful statistics throughout his brief professional career. His collegiate numbers demonstrated his ability to be a productive back at the Power Five level, while his NFL stats reflected the challenges of transitioning to professional football.
College Statistics
At TCU over two seasons (2020–2021), Evans played in 15 games and rushing for 1,063 yards and nine touchdowns. His most efficient season came in 2021 when he averaged over 8 yards per carry in limited appearances. At Ole Miss during the 2022 season, he rushed for 936 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 6.5 yards per carry, ranking among the most efficient backs in college football.
NFL Statistics
During his time with the Los Angeles Rams in the 2023 NFL season, Evans appeared in 10 games and carried the ball nine times for 19 yards. His limited opportunities reflected the challenges of earning playing time on an NFL roster as a late-round draft pick.
| Level | Games | Rushing Yards | Touchdowns | Yards Per Carry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College (TCU) | 15 | 1,063 | 9 | 6.5 |
| College (Ole Miss) | 12 | 936 | 9 | 6.5 |
| NFL (Rams) | 10 | 19 | 0 | 2.1 |
2025 Season Outlook and Retirement
Entering 2025, Evans was on the roster of the New York Jets following his mid-season signing in December 2024 and his reserve/future contract in January. The Jets coaching staff saw potential in Evans as a depth piece in their running back rotation, and the offseason program provided an opportunity for him to compete for a roster spot heading into training camp.
However, Evans announced his retirement from professional football on July 28, 2025, prior to the start of the regular season. His decision to step away from the game came after careful consideration and brought to a close a career that had seen remarkable highs at the collegiate level and the fulfillment of playing in the NFL. Evans leaves the sport with cherished memories from his time at North Shore High School, TCU, Ole Miss, and his brief NFL tenure with both the Rams and Jets.