Joe Evans Bio
Joe Evans, born on June 29, 1999, in Ames, Iowa, is an American professional football linebacker currently competing in the National Football League (NFL). He rose to attention as a relentless pass rusher during his tenure with the Iowa Hawkeyes, where he developed into one of the Big Ten Conference’s most productive edge defenders. After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Evans signed with the Baltimore Ravens and began his professional career.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing approximately 229 pounds, Evans relies on quickness, leverage, and a high motor to disrupt opposing offenses. His college resume includes back-to-back All-Big Ten honors, and his professional trajectory remains a developing story within the Ravens’ defensive pipeline.
Early Life and Background
Joe Evans grew up in Ames, Iowa, the same city where he would later attend high school. From an early age, he displayed a strong interest in athletics, eventually channeling that energy into multiple sports before focusing on football. His hometown connection to Iowa also played a major role in his eventual college choice.
At Ames High School, Evans began his prep career as a versatile athlete before being asked to play quarterback during his junior season after injuries struck the starter. He responded by completing 106 of 178 passes for 1,276 yards and 17 touchdowns, while also rushing for 439 yards and 5 touchdowns. That dual-threat production showcased his athleticism and toughness, traits that would later define his defensive career.
Coming out of high school, Evans was not heavily recruited as a scholarship player. He decided to walk on at the University of Iowa, embracing the underdog mentality that has shaped his path in football. His commitment to the in-state Hawkeyes allowed him to develop close to home while earning a chance to compete at the Big Ten level.
Path to American Football
Evans’s transition from high school quarterback to collegiate defensive end required a significant positional adjustment. The Iowa coaching staff identified his frame, quickness, and physicality as traits that could translate to the defensive line, and they offered him a walk-on opportunity to join the Hawkeyes program.
During his early college seasons, Evans worked primarily on technique, strength development, and learning the nuances of defensive line play. His willingness to embrace a developmental role, rather than seek immediate playing time elsewhere, allowed him to grow within Iowa’s culture. The patience paid off as he gradually earned more responsibility within the defensive rotation.
By his upperclassman years, Evans had transformed from a little-known walk-on into a respected Big Ten pass rusher. Coaches praised his work ethic, and his statistical production confirmed his development. The journey from walk-on to NFL prospect reflects both his personal discipline and Iowa’s track record of developing defensive linemen.
Joe Evans Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Joe Evans enrolled at the University of Iowa in 2018 and redshirted his true freshman season without appearing in a game. The redshirt year allowed him to acclimate to the speed and demands of college football while adding size to his frame. He used that period to refine his footwork and study opposing offensive linemen.
In 2019, Evans saw his first real action and posted 7 tackles, including 4 tackles for loss and 4 sacks, signaling his potential as a pass rusher. The 2020 season, shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, saw him record 7 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, a sack, and a pass deflection. During that year, Evans was also placed on scholarship by the Hawkeyes, a milestone that validated his growth within the program.
His breakout arrived in 2021, when he tallied 33 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble. Those numbers established him as a key contributor on Iowa’s defensive front and set the stage for his All-Big Ten honors the following year.
Iowa Hawkeyes Breakthrough (2022–2023)
The 2022 season marked Joe Evans’s emergence as one of the Big Ten’s top edge rushers. In the season opener against South Dakota State, he recorded 2 sacks and a safety, helping Iowa secure a 7-3 victory. His defining moment came in week eight against second-ranked Ohio State, when he sacked quarterback C. J. Stroud and forced a fumble that he returned 12 yards for his first career touchdown.
Evans finished the 2022 campaign with 41 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. For his performance, he was named Second-team All-Big Ten, cementing his status among the conference’s elite defenders. His ability to disrupt both the run and pass game made him a focal point of Iowa’s defensive scheme.
In 2023, Evans continued his ascent, notching 4 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack, a safety, and 3 pass deflections in a 15-13 win over Illinois. He closed the year with a career-high 4 sacks in the Citrus Bowl against Tennessee, finishing the season with 46 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, 4 pass deflections, and a forced fumble. His efforts earned him Third-team All-Big Ten recognition and solidified his draft eligibility.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2024–Present)
Despite his productive college resume, Joe Evans went unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft. He signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2024, joining a franchise known for developing defensive talent. The opportunity represented his first step into professional football.
Evans was waived by the Ravens on August 27, 2024, as teams trimmed rosters ahead of the regular season. Shortly afterward, he was re-signed to the team’s practice squad, keeping him within the organization. He was later released on September 24, 2024, ending his initial stint with Baltimore.
Although his rookie season concluded earlier than expected, Evans’s profile as a hardworking, versatile edge defender remains attractive to NFL teams. His experience within Baltimore’s system, combined with his college production, leaves the door open for future opportunities in the league.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Evans’s signature college moments came against Ohio State in 2022, when he sacked C. J. Stroud and returned a forced fumble 12 yards for a touchdown. His four-sack performance in the 2023 Citrus Bowl against Tennessee also stands out as a career-defining statistical achievement. Being placed on scholarship at Iowa after beginning as a walk-on represents another important milestone in his football journey.
Joe Evans Career Highlights
Throughout his college career, Joe Evans accumulated 21 sacks across four active seasons, establishing himself as one of Iowa’s most disruptive defenders. He earned Second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2022 and Third-team All-Big Ten recognition in 2023, reflecting sustained excellence against top-tier competition.
Big Ten Highlights
Evans recorded 7 sacks in 2021, 6.5 sacks in 2022, and 9.5 sacks in 2023, showing consistent production as a pass rusher. His 13.5 tackles for loss in 2023 marked a single-season high and highlighted his ability to disrupt plays in the backfield. Against ranked opponents such as Ohio State and Tennessee, he delivered some of his most memorable performances.
Other Performances
In addition to his Big Ten accolades, Evans posted notable stat lines in non-conference games, including 2 sacks and a safety against South Dakota State in 2022. His contributions in bowl games, particularly the Citrus Bowl, further boosted his professional profile heading into the NFL.
Joe Evans Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Detailed information about Joe Evans’s parents and extended family has not been publicly verified through reliable sources. His upbringing in Ames, Iowa, however, played a central role in shaping his athletic development.
Personal Life
Joe Evans maintains a relatively private personal life away from football. Public records do not confirm details about a spouse or children, and he has not publicly disclosed extensive personal information beyond his commitment to the sport.
2025 Season Performance
As of the 2025 NFL calendar, Joe Evans’s professional status remains a developing storyline. After his release from the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad in late September 2024, his next opportunity within the league is uncertain. Given his age and collegiate production, however, he remains a viable candidate for a roster spot or practice-squad role with an NFL franchise.
If Evans secures a position with a team during the 2025 offseason, his path forward likely involves refining his technique, adding strength, and competing for a depth role on a defensive line. His experience in Baltimore’s system, even briefly, exposed him to professional-level coaching and schemes that should benefit his development.
Fans and analysts will be watching to see whether Evans can translate his Big Ten success into a sustained NFL career. His combination of pass-rushing upside, special-teams potential, and proven work ethic makes him an intriguing prospect for organizations seeking developmental edge defenders.