After Chris Evans moved him from quarterback to a playmaking running back in high school, Evans kept hearing the same message from his head coach.
Catch the ball with your eyes first, and then catch it with your hands.
Evans’ ability to make catches out of the backfield as a running back from the University of Michigan led him to become a sixth round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Since the Bengals cut longtime running back Giovani Bernard this offseason, Evans has an opportunity to fill that role as a third down running back during his rookie season.
“I’m just trying to take advantage of every opportunity that I get and make plays when I can,” Evans said. “Wherever they need me, I’ll excel.”
Evans caught the attention of Bengals head coach Zac Taylor at the Senior Bowl. That visibility was critical because after Evans was suspended at Michigan in 2019, he only had 16 carries and nine receptions last season.
As Taylor was scouting offensive linemen, he saw the same running back winning one-on-one matchups and making impressive catches. Then at Evans’ first practice with the Bengals, Taylor said he saw the same traits.
