Rashaan Evans Bio
Rashaan Evans is an American professional football linebacker born on November 8, 1995, in Auburn, Alabama. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Throughout his professional career, Evans has also played for the Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Dallas Cowboys. He is recognized for his toughness, instincts, and contributions on special teams and defense at the linebacker position.
Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 232 pounds, Evans combines size with athleticism developed during his years as one of the top-rated recruits in the state of Alabama. He earned two College Football Playoff national championships and First-team All-American recognition during his time at the University of Alabama.
Early Life and Background
Alan Rashaan Evans was raised in Auburn, Alabama, a community with deep ties to college football. He is the second oldest of five children, with one younger brother and three sisters. His father, Alan, played running back at Auburn University, while his mother, Chenavis, earned four degrees from Auburn, including a doctorate. His older sister was a cheerleader at Auburn, and several of his cousins also attended the university.
Despite his family’s strong Auburn connections, Evans chose to attend the University of Alabama. Growing up in rural Alabama, he developed his speed and athleticism by chasing wild horses near his home. He attended Auburn High School, where he was teammates with future Alabama teammate Reuben Foster.
As a senior at Auburn High School, Evans recorded 77 tackles, including 43 tackles for loss, and 17.5 sacks, while also adding five pass breakups, three forced fumbles, a blocked punt, and a fumble recovery. He was recognized as a first-team ASWA 6A All-State selection as a junior in 2012 and played in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game. Evans was rated as a five-star outside linebacker by 247Sports, the eleventh best player in the country, the top outside linebacker nationally, and the second-highest recruit from Alabama behind Marlon Humphrey. He was named an Under Armour All-American in 2014.
Path to American Football
Evans arrived at the University of Alabama as one of the most highly regarded linebacker prospects in the nation. As a true freshman, he played on special teams in 13 games, recording 15 tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack. His work on special teams and his physical style of play earned him increased responsibility in subsequent seasons.
During his sophomore season in 2015, Evans continued to contribute on special teams and as a reserve outside linebacker. His two sacks against Clemson in the national championship victory that season brought him to the attention of NFL scouts across the league. By his junior year, Evans had become a reliable defensive contributor, starting two playoff games from an inside linebacker position in 2016 and recording 18 tackles.
As a senior in 2017, Evans started 12 games and tied for the team lead with 74 tackles while leading the team with 13 tackles for loss. He also added six sacks, three pass breakups, and was named a second-team All-Southeastern Conference selection. He started 14 games over his final two seasons and appeared in three College Football Playoff National Championship contests, earning two victories. Evans graduated from Alabama in December 2017 with a degree in psychology.
Rashaan Evans Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
The Tennessee Titans selected Rashaan Evans in the first round, 22nd overall, of the 2018 NFL Draft. He was the fifth linebacker drafted that year. On May 15, 2018, the Titans signed Evans to a four-year, 11.7 million dollar contract that included a signing bonus of 6.59 million dollars. Throughout training camp, he competed to be a starting inside linebacker against Will Compton and Jayon Brown, and head coach Mike Vrabel named him a backup inside linebacker to begin the regular season behind Wesley Woodyard and Will Compton.
Evans missed the season opener against the Miami Dolphins due to a hamstring injury, but he made his first career start and recorded his first career tackle on September 23, 2018, in a 9–6 Week 3 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He finished his rookie season with 53 combined tackles, 33 of which were solo, and one pass deflection across 15 games and seven starts. In Week 13, he collected a season-high eight combined tackles during a 26–22 victory over the New York Jets.
Tennessee Titans Breakthrough (2018–2021)
In his second NFL season, Evans continued to grow into a larger role on the Titans defense. During Week 4, he made 10 combined tackles and recorded his first NFL sack during a 24–10 road victory over the Atlanta Falcons. The sack was credited as a half-sack shared with teammate Isaiah Mack after bringing down quarterback Matt Ryan. In Week 10 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Evans recovered a fumble forced by teammate David Long Jr. on running back Damien Williams and returned it 53 yards for a touchdown in a 35–32 victory.
Evans was ejected in Week 1 of the 2020 season against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football for throwing a punch at tight end Jake Butt. The Titans declined to exercise the fifth-year option on his contract on May 3, 2021, making him a free agent after the 2021 season.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2022–2024)
On April 4, 2022, Evans signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons. During his time in Atlanta, he recorded career highs in total tackles, solo tackles, and assists. His veteran presence helped stabilize the Falcons linebacker group throughout the season.
On September 12, 2023, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Evans to their practice squad, though he was released three days later. On October 11, 2023, the Dallas Cowboys signed him to their practice squad before promoting him to the active roster on November 18. On December 26, 2023, Evans was arrested in Frisco, Texas, for possession of marijuana, and he was subsequently waived by the Cowboys on December 27. On October 1, 2024, Evans signed with the Atlanta Falcons practice squad, was promoted to the active roster on November 1, released on December 21, and re-signed to the practice squad the same day.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most memorable moments of Evans’ career was his 53-yard fumble return for a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019, which highlighted his nose for the football. He also appeared in three College Football Playoff National Championship games at Alabama, winning two national titles in 2015 and 2017. His first NFL start came against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018, and his first NFL sack came at the Atlanta Falcons the following year.
Rashaan Evans Career Wins
Rashaan Evans’ career is defined by team success at the highest levels of football, including two College Football Playoff national championships with Alabama in 2015 and 2017. He contributed to multiple regular-season and playoff victories with the Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, and Dallas Cowboys. While individual sack and tackle totals vary by season, his role as a reliable linebacker and special teams contributor has been a constant throughout his professional journey.
College and Professional Highlights
At the University of Alabama, Evans appeared in three College Football Playoff National Championship contests and earned victories in two of them. He was named a First-team All-American and an All-SEC selection in 2017, capping his senior season with 74 tackles and 13 tackles for loss. In the NFL, his 53-yard fumble return for a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs stands as one of the signature plays of his career.
Rashaan Evans Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Rashaan Evans comes from a family deeply connected to Auburn University. His father, Alan, was a running back at Auburn, and his mother, Chenavis, earned four degrees from Auburn, including a doctorate. His older sister was a cheerleader at Auburn, and several cousins also attended the university, creating a strong family legacy with the Tigers despite Evans choosing to play for their in-state rival, the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Personal Life
Evans is the second oldest of five children, with one younger brother and three sisters. Growing up in rural Alabama, he developed his speed and athleticism by chasing wild horses near his home. He graduated from the University of Alabama in December 2017 with a degree in psychology.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Rashaan Evans continues to be available as a veteran linebacker option after most recently spending time on the Atlanta Falcons practice squad in late 2024. His experience across multiple defensive systems with the Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys provides him with a versatile skill set that appeals to teams seeking depth at the linebacker position.
With two national championships at Alabama and more than five years of NFL experience, Evans offers a combination of leadership, special teams value, and defensive instincts. His ability to play both inside and outside linebacker gives potential suitors flexibility in scheme fit.
As the 2025 season approaches, Evans’ path forward will depend on opportunities with teams in need of experienced depth at linebacker. His track record of producing in big moments, including a touchdown on a fumble return against the Kansas City Chiefs, suggests he remains a capable contributor at the professional level.