Darrynton Evans Explained

Darrynton Evans
Number:37
Current Team:Buffalo Bills
Position:Running back
Return specialist
Birth Date:9 July 1998
Birth Place:Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S.
Height Ft:5
Height In:10
Weight Lb:203
High School:New Smyrna Beach
(New Smyrna, Florida)
College:Appalachian State (2016–2019)
Draftyear:2020
Draftround:3
Draftpick:93
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:
  • Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year (2019)
  • 2× First-team All-Sun Belt (2018, 2019)
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Rushing yards
Statvalue1:246
Statlabel2:Rushing average
Statvalue2:4
Statlabel3:Rushing touchdowns
Statvalue3:1
Statlabel4:Receptions
Statvalue4:12
Statlabel5:Receiving yards
Statvalue5:120
Statlabel6:Receiving touchdowns
Statvalue6:1
Statlabel7:Return yards
Statvalue7:223
Statlabel8:Return touchdowns
Pfr:EvanDa02

Darrynton L.A. Evans (born July 9, 1998) is an American professional football running back and return specialist for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Appalachian State Mountaineers and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft.

Early years

Evans attended New Smyrna Beach High School in New Smyrna, Florida. He committed to Appalachian State University to play college football.[1]

College career

As a true freshman at Appalachian State in 2016, Evans played in 12 games rushing for 217 yards on 48 carries. He also returned 25 kicks for 563 yards and a touchdown. Evans missed 2017 due to injury and redshirted. Returning from the injury in 2018, he entered the season as a backup to Jalin Moore but took over as the starter after Moore was injured for the season, and rushed for 1,187 yards on 179 carries and seven touchdowns.[2] As a kick returner he had 490 yards on 15 returns and had a touchdown. He was named the MVP of the 2018 Sun Belt Conference Football Championship Game after totaling 218 total yards.[3] As a full-time starter in 2019, Evans was the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 1,480 yards with 2,064 all purpose yards and 24 total touchdowns.[4] He was also named MVP of the 2019 Sun Belt Conference Football Championship Game and 2019 New Orleans Bowl.[5] After the season, he decided to forgo his senior season and enter the 2020 NFL draft.[6]

Professional career

Tennessee Titans

Evans was selected by the Tennessee Titans with the 93rd overall pick in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.[7] [8]

He was placed on injured reserve on October 15, 2020, with a hamstring injury.[9] He was activated on December 7, 2020.[10] In Week 15 against the Detroit Lions, Evans recorded 57 yards from scrimmage and a receiving touchdown during the 46–25 win. This was Evans' first career touchdown.[11]

Evans finished the 2020 season playing in five games with 14 rushes for 54 yards, two receptions for 27 yards and a receiving touchdown, and nine kickoff returns for 206 yards as a backup to rushing yards and touchdowns leader Derrick Henry. He recorded one carry for one yard in the Titans' 20–13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the wildcard round of the playoffs.

On September 2, 2021, Evans was placed on injured reserve.[12] He was activated on October 23.[13] On October 29, 2021 he was placed back on injured reserve for a second time ending his season.[14]

On March 10, 2022, Evans was waived by the Titans.[15]

Chicago Bears (first stint)

On March 11, 2022, Evans was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Bears.[16] He was waived on August 30, 2022 and signed to the practice squad the next day.[17] [18] He was promoted to the active roster on November 27.[19]

Indianapolis Colts

On March 31, 2023, Evans signed with the Indianapolis Colts.[20] He was waived on May 2, 2023.

Buffalo Bills (first stint)

On July 25, 2023, Evans signed with the Buffalo Bills.[21] He was released on August 29, 2023.[22]

Miami Dolphins (first stint)

On August 31, 2023, Evans signed with the Miami Dolphins practice squad.[23]

Chicago Bears (second stint)

On October 9, 2023, Evans was signed by the Bears off the Dolphins practice squad.[24] He was waived on November 16.[25]

Miami Dolphins (second stint)

On November 21, 2023, Evans was signed to the Dolphins practice squad.[26] On November 23, 2023, Evans was elevated to the active roster.[27] He was not signed to a reserve/future contract after the season and thus became a free agent upon the expiration of his practice squad contract.[28]

Buffalo Bills (second stint)

On January 23, 2024, Evans signed a reserve/future contract with the Bills.

Personal life

Evans is a Christian. He is married to Aiyana Willoughby.[29] He runs a YouTube and Twitch channel called ItzLiveee.[30]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Chris . Boyle . After Christmas commitment, NSB's Darrynton Evans signs with Appalachian State . Daytona Beach News-Journal Online.
  2. Web site: Behr . Steve . August 9, 2019 . Evans takes over starting running back duties . September 28, 2020 . Watauga Democrat.
  3. Web site: Joyce . Ethan . December 5, 2019 . Darrynton Evans' big return (2018 Sun Belt title game) . September 28, 2020 . Winston-Salem Journal.
  4. Web site: Joyce . Ethan . December 4, 2019 . No. 21 App State's Darrynton Evans, Akeem Davis-Gaither win Sun Belt offensive and defensive player of the year awards . September 28, 2020 . Winston-Salem Journal.
  5. Web site: Reed . Steve . Evans' 3 TDs lead Appalachian State to Sun Belt title . September 28, 2020 . The Fayetteville Observer . Associated Press.
  6. Web site: December 25, 2019 . Appalachian State RB Darrynton Evans to enter NFL draft . September 28, 2020 . Gwinnett Daily Post.
  7. Web site: Wyatt . Jim . April 24, 2020 . Titans Select Appalachian State RB Darrynton Evans in Third Round of the NFL Draft . April 24, 2020 . TennesseeTitans.com.
  8. News: Moraitis . Mike . April 24, 2020 . 2020 NFL Draft: Titans select Darrynton Evans with No. 93 pick . Titans Wire . April 24, 2020.
  9. Web site: Titans Activate DL Jeffery Simmons from Reserve/COVID-19 List, Place RB Darrynton Evans on Injured Reserve. Wyatt, Jim. TennesseeTitans.com. October 15, 2020.
  10. News: Wyatt, Jim . Titans Activate RB Darrynton Evans from Injured Reserve . TennesseeTitans.com . December 7, 2020 . January 14, 2021.
  11. Web site: Detroit Lions at Tennessee Titans - December 20th, 2020 . December 20, 2020 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  12. Web site: Titans Place Three Players on Injured Reserve While Waiving TE Luke Stocker. Wyatt, Jim. TennesseeTitans.com. September 2, 2021.
  13. Web site: Titans Activate RB Darrynton Evans, DL Larrell Murchison from Injured Reserve. Wyatt, Jim. TennesseeTitans.com. October 23, 2021. October 24, 2021. October 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211024030638/https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-activate-rb-darrynton-evans-dl-larrell-murchison-from-injured-reserve. dead.
  14. Web site: Wyatt. Jim. 2021-10-29. Titans Place RB Darrynton Evans on Injured Reserve a Second Time, Ending His 2021 Season. live. 2021-10-29. TennesseeTitans.com. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20211029201506/https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-place-rb-darrynton-evans-on-injured-reserve-a-second-time-ending-his-2021 . October 29, 2021 .
  15. Web site: Titans Release Three Players: G Rodger Saffold, OL Kendall Lamm and RB Darrynton Evans. Wyatt, Jim. TennesseeTitans.com. March 10, 2022.
  16. Web site: Roster Move: Bears claim RB Evans off waivers. Mayer, Larry. ChicagoBears.com. March 11, 2022.
  17. Web site: Roster Moves: Bears reach NFL's 53-man roster limit. Mayer, Larry. ChicagoBears.com. August 30, 2022.
  18. Web site: Roster Moves: Bears place 14 on practice squad. Mayer, Larry. ChicagoBears.com. August 31, 2022.
  19. Web site: Roster Moves: Bears add Evans, Peterman, Gates to active roster. Mayer, Larry. ChicagoBears.com. November 27, 2022.
  20. Web site: Colts sign RB Darrynton Evans. 2023-04-01. Colts.com. en.
  21. Web site: 2023-07-24 . Report: Bills to sign running back Darrynton Evans . 2023-07-25 . www.audacy.com . en.
  22. Web site: Dimmitt . Zach . 'Crazy Story' - But Buffalo Bills Cut RB Darrynton Evans at Deadline . Sports Illustrated . 30 August 2023.
  23. Web site: Miami Dolphins Sign Eight to Practice Squad. MiamiDolphins.com. August 31, 2023.
  24. Web site: Roster Move: Bears sign RB Darrynton Evans. Mayer, Larry. ChicagoBears.com. October 9, 2023.
  25. Web site: Sugrue . Brendan . Bears waive RB Darrynton Evans . Bears Wire . 17 November 2023.
  26. Web site: Darrynton Evans: Signs with Miami. CBS Sports . 22 November 2023.
  27. News: Dolphins elevate Darrynton Evans with De’Von Achane questionable . 2023-11-23 . Williams . Charean . NBC Sports . 2023-11-24.
  28. News: Dolphins sign 8 players to reserve/future contracts after 2023 season. USA Today. January 15, 2024. Masala, Mike.
  29. Web site: Doering . Joshua . Titans RB Darrynton Evans gets baptized, engaged in same week: 'Relationship with God will sustain your life' . Sports Spectrum . September 15, 2021 . 19 September 2021.
  30. Web site: ItzLiveee - YouTube . 2022-07-01 . www.youtube.com.