Evan Hull Bio
Evan Hull (born October 26, 2000) is an American professional football running back for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Northwestern Wildcats and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft. Standing 178 centimeters tall and weighing 95 kilograms, Hull has built his career as a versatile back capable of contributing in both the running and passing game.
Early Life and Background
Evan Hull was born on October 26, 2000, in Maple Grove, Minnesota. He grew up in the Minneapolis suburbs and attended Maple Grove Senior High School, where he quickly established himself as one of the most productive running backs in the state. As a senior, he posted more than 2,100 rushing yards in a single season, a number that reflected his combination of vision, balance, and finishing power between the tackles.
By the time his high school career ended, Hull had become Maple Grove’s all-time leading rusher, and he also set team records such as 398 rushing yards in a single game. Beyond football, he competed in wrestling and track and field, which helped develop the lower-body strength and explosiveness that later defined his running style. Rated as a three-star recruit, Hull drew attention from several college programs before choosing to continue his football career at Northwestern.
Path to American Football
Hull’s path to professional football began with his commitment to Northwestern, a Big Ten program known for developing skilled running backs. He arrived on campus with the reputation of a workhorse back from the Minneapolis suburbs and was expected to compete for carries early in his college tenure. The Northwestern coaching staff gave him a chance to learn the offense while preserving a year of eligibility, and he rewarded that patience with strong per-touch production in limited action.
Across his time in college, Hull steadily climbed the depth chart, evolving from a situational runner into a full-time starter and one of the most reliable offensive weapons in the Big Ten. By the time he declared for the NFL draft, he had become a complete back, comfortable carrying the ball on early downs and lining up as a receiver out of the backfield. That versatility ultimately convinced the Indianapolis Colts to select him in the 2023 NFL draft.
Evan Hull Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Hull appeared in four games during his true freshman season at Northwestern, preserving a redshirt while still making an impact. He rushed for 286 yards and scored four touchdowns, with the latter figure ranking second on the team. His most memorable performance came against UMass, when he tallied 220 rushing yards and four touchdowns in a single outing.
The following season, shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, Hull played in seven games and recorded 209 yards on 25 carries, adding two rushing touchdowns. Although the sample size was smaller, he continued to show the acceleration and contact balance that had marked his high school career, laying the groundwork for a larger role the following year.
Northwestern Breakthrough (2021–2022)
Hull became a starter in 2021 and quickly emerged as one of the top running backs in the Big Ten. He finished the year with 1,009 rushing yards, placing sixth in the conference, and added seven rushing touchdowns, which ranked eighth in the league. That production earned him honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition from both the conference coaches and media. He also contributed 33 receptions for 264 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns, demonstrating his three-down skill set.
In 2022, Hull appeared in all 12 games and recorded 913 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground, while also catching 55 passes for 546 yards and two scores. His heavy usage as a receiver highlighted his route-running polish and reliable hands. After the season, he elected to enter the NFL draft, closing his Northwestern career with 488 rush attempts for 2,417 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns, along with 94 receptions for 851 yards and four receiving touchdowns across 35 games.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2023–2024)
Hull was selected in the fifth round, 176th overall, of the 2023 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts, a compensatory selection acquired through a trade that sent Stephon Gilmore to the Dallas Cowboys. He opened his rookie year with the Colts but was placed on injured reserve on September 12. Despite the early setback, the organization continued to view him as a long-term complementary back with starter-level traits.
In 2024, Hull was waived by the Colts on August 27 and re-signed to the practice squad, a common path for young backs adjusting to life behind established veterans. He was promoted to the active roster on October 12, only to be waived again on October 26 and brought back to the practice squad. The back-and-forth year reflected both the depth of the Indianapolis backfield and the team’s interest in keeping him within the organization.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2025)
On January 14, 2025, Hull signed a reserve and future contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, signaling a fresh opportunity to reset his career. The Steelers valued his pass-catching ability and his experience in zone-based running schemes, both of which fit their offensive approach. He spent the offseason competing for a depth role within a crowded backfield room.
Hull was released by the Steelers on August 22, 2025, ending his brief tenure with the team. Although the stint did not produce a regular-season snap in Pittsburgh, it allowed him to stay active in the league and prepare for the next opportunity that would soon arrive in the NFC South.
New Orleans Saints Era (2025–Present)
On October 29, 2025, Hull was signed to the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad, providing a path back to an active roster. Less than a month later, on November 25, he was promoted to the active roster, giving the Saints another option in the backfield heading into the back half of the season. The move reflected the New Orleans coaching staff’s confidence in his ability to contribute on special teams and as a situational runner and receiver.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Hull’s signature early-career moments is his 220-yard, four-touchdown performance against UMass in his redshirt freshman season, a game that announced his arrival as a difference-maker. He also set Maple Grove’s all-time rushing record and posted 398 rushing yards in a single high school game, both of which remain benchmarks at the program. In the NFL, his selection in the fifth round of the 2023 draft and his subsequent movement between active rosters and practice squads have shaped his journeyman path through the league.
Evan Hull Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Evan Hull was raised in Maple Grove, Minnesota, where his family supported his early athletic development across football, wrestling, and track and field. Specific details about his parents and siblings are not publicly documented in available sources. Outside of football, Hull maintains an active presence on social media, where fans can follow his training and daily life.
2025 Season Performance
Hull’s 2025 season has been defined by movement between organizations and a late-season opportunity with a new team. After signing a reserve and future deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers in January, he was released in late August and joined the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad in late October. The quick transition from practice squad to active roster on November 25 gave him a fresh platform to compete for touches down the stretch.
With the Saints, Hull is expected to serve as a complementary back who can contribute on passing downs and special teams, an area in which his contact balance and route-running polish have historically stood out. The New Orleans coaching staff has emphasized versatility in the backfield, and Hull’s college production as a receiver, including back-to-back seasons with at least 33 catches, fits that philosophy. His familiarity with spread concepts from Northwestern should help him adjust quickly to the Saints’ offensive game plan.
Looking ahead, Hull’s primary objective for the remainder of 2025 is to establish himself as a reliable depth piece and to carve out a defined role in New Orleans’ rotation. Strong showings in practice and on special teams could position him for a more substantial contract opportunity in the 2026 offseason. For a young back who has already navigated injuries, multiple practice-squad stints, and team changes, consistency in the Saints’ system will be the next critical step in his development.