Incoming: Chris Evans

The Michigan coaching staff continue to pick up momentum on the recruiting trail as 2016 RB/ATH Chris Evans (Indianapolis, IN) committed to the Maize and Blue on Saturday afternoon.  It was an interesting week for Evans, as he visited Michigan last weekend unofficially, and then camped at Michigan’s satellite camp in Indianapolis on Thursday.

Photo Via: Melanie Maxwell/MLive.com

                Stats and Rankings:

                Height: 5’11

                Weight: 194 lbs.

                High School: Ben Davis (Indianapolis, IN)

                Position:  All Purpose Back

                24/7 Rating: Four Stars, #292 overall, #5 APB, #4 in state of IN

                ESPN Rating: NR

                Rivals Rating: Three Stars, #47 ATH, #5 in state of IN

                Scout Rating: Four Stars, #165 overall, #9 RB, #1 RB in state of IN

                Other Offers:  Michigan State, Minnesota, Purdue, Illinois, Ball State, Indiana, Cincinnati

                2014 Stats: 1,249 Rushing Yards, 18 TD’s, #676 Receiving Yards, 10 Receiving TD’s

                2013 Stats: 530 Rushing Yards, 7 Touchdowns, 440 Receiving Yards, 5 Receiving TD’s

Scouting Report

If I could define Chris Evan’s game in one word, it would be “dangerous.”  Chris has the ability to turn a simple five yard run into an eighty yard dash due to his speed, ability to identify blocks, and his elusiveness. After watching his highlight video, it’s easy to get excited about what Chris could do for Michigan. He can lineup in multiple positions on offense and could possibly see the same sort of playing time at the collegiate level. When Chris lines up in the backfield, the defense if constantly guessing if he’s going to rush the ball, or spread out to the flats and catch it. As a running back, Chris is a very shifty runner, who can beat you with his speed or with jukes. He identifies blocks on the offensive line extremely well and will accelerate through once the block is set. Due to his speed, Chris is also able to run off the tackles extremely well.  Possesses above average speed and once he hits holes, there is basically nobody on the playing field that is able to catch up with him.

Another aspect of his game that I’m a big fan of is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Chris can be a solid change of a back type running back that can catch the ball on third down and beat defenses with his legs. Can beat coverage on long throws with his speed or use his running route abilities to gain space on short pass plays. Very fluid catching the football. Chris does a good job of catching the ball with both hands and protecting it from fumbles.  

With the amount of running backs Michigan has taken so far in 2016 (Enis, Falcon, Davis), it’s a good possibility that he would see most of his playing time at Michigan as either a slot back, or could move to the defensive side of the ball and play cornerback or safety.

Highlight Videos

Evans becomes the ninth member of Michigan’s 2016 recruiting class joining; QB Brandon Peters,  OT Erik Swenson, OG Michael Onwenu, RB Matt Falcon, LB Dele Harding, LB/FB David Reese, RB Kingston Davis, and RB Kiante Enis.

For up to the minute recruitment news, you can follow Travis Cooper on Twitter @MaizenBlueCoop. You can also follow Maize & Blue Nation on Twitter, Facebook, and Flickr.