Evan Hull Bio
Evan Hull (born October 26, 2000) is an American professional football running back who most recently signed with the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Northwestern Wildcats and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft. Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and listed at 209 pounds, Hull has built his professional career through special-teams play and reserve roles rather than featured backfield duty.
Across his first three NFL seasons, Hull has spent time with the Indianapolis Colts, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the New Orleans Saints before joining the Houston Texans. His professional journey has been defined by perseverance through injuries, practice-squad promotions, and short-term contracts, while his college resume at Northwestern established him as one of the most productive rushers in program history.
Early Life and Background
Evan Hull was born on October 26, 2000, in Maple Grove, Minnesota. He grew up in the same suburban community where he would later become a local football legend, attending Maple Grove Senior High School and developing into one of the most productive high school running backs in the state.
During his time at Maple Grove Senior High School, Hull posted more than 2,100 rushing yards in a single season and finished his prep career as the school’s all-time leading rusher. He also set team records, including 398 rushing yards in a single game. Beyond football, Hull was a standout in wrestling and track and field, which helped him develop the balance, explosiveness, and lower-body strength that have carried into his professional career.
Rated as a three-star recruit, Hull committed to play college football at Northwestern, choosing the Big Ten program over other college opportunities. His combination of production, athleticism, and multi-sport background positioned him as an intriguing prospect heading into the college level.
Path to American Football
Hull’s transition to college football began when he enrolled at Northwestern, where he immediately showed flashes of big-play ability as a true freshman. Appearing in four games, he preserved a redshirt while still posting 286 rushing yards and four touchdowns, with the latter figure ranking second on the team. His standout freshman performance came against UMass, when he rushed for 220 yards and four touchdowns in a single game.
His development continued during a sophomore season shortened by COVID-19, when he played seven games and totaled 209 rushing yards and two touchdowns. By his junior year, Hull had earned a starting role and emerged as one of the top running backs in the Big Ten Conference. He recorded 1,009 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns in 2021, finishing sixth in the conference in rushing yards and eighth in rushing touchdowns, while also adding 264 receiving yards and two receiving scores.
As a senior in 2022, Hull played all 12 games and registered 913 rushing yards with five touchdowns on the ground, plus 55 receptions for 546 yards and two receiving touchdowns. He finished his Northwestern career with 488 rush attempts for 2,417 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns, along with 94 receptions for 851 yards and four receiving scores across 35 games. Following the 2022 season, Hull declared for the NFL draft.
Evan Hull Career
Early Career (2023)
Hull entered the NFL after being selected in the fifth round, 176th overall, of the 2023 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts acquired the compensatory pick through a trade that sent Stephon Gilmore to the Dallas Cowboys. His rookie season, however, was disrupted almost immediately when he was placed on injured reserve on September 12, 2023, limiting his opportunities to contribute during his first year.
Despite the injury setback, Hull remained on the Colts’ roster heading into the 2024 campaign, signaling that the organization still viewed him as part of its long-term plans at running back. His physical running style and special-teams potential gave him a path back onto the field once healthy.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2023–2024)
Hull’s Colts tenure was marked by movement between the active roster and the practice squad during the 2024 season. He was waived on August 27, 2024, then re-signed to the practice squad, before being promoted to the active roster on October 12, 2024. Just two weeks later, on October 26, he was waived again and returned to the practice squad, illustrating the fluid nature of his role with Indianapolis.
Through the end of his time with the Colts, Hull continued to refine his pass-catching and blocking skills while contributing on special teams whenever called upon. Although he never secured a featured offensive role in Indianapolis, his versatility kept him in consideration as a depth piece at running back.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2025)
On January 14, 2025, Hull signed a reserve/future contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, giving him an opportunity to compete for a roster spot entering the 2025 league year. Reserve/future contracts are typically offered to players who finished the previous season on practice squads, signaling continued interest from the team.
Hull’s time in Pittsburgh was short-lived. He was released by the Steelers on August 22, 2025, before the start of the regular season, ending his brief stint with the organization and sending him back into the free-agent market.
New Orleans Saints Era (2025)
Following his release from Pittsburgh, Hull signed with the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad on October 29, 2025. Less than a month later, on November 25, he was promoted to the active roster, providing him another chance to contribute at the NFL level.
Hull’s most productive stretch in New Orleans produced the bulk of his regular-season NFL statistics through 2025, recording 49 rushing yards on 19 carries for a 2.5-yard average, along with two receptions for 12 receiving yards. He remained with the Saints into the offseason before being waived on April 27, 2026.
Houston Texans Era (2026–Present)
On May 12, 2026, Hull signed with the Houston Texans, where he currently wears jersey number 42 and remains active on the roster. The move represents a fresh opportunity to compete for a depth role within a Texans backfield that has continued to evolve.
Hull’s arrival in Houston places him in a competitive running-back room where he will look to leverage his pass-catching background from Northwestern and his special-teams experience. His journeyman path through four NFL organizations underscores both his perseverance and the value teams place on versatile reserve backs.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hull is recognized as a compact, well-rounded running back whose strengths lie in pass protection, route running out of the backfield, and special-teams contributions. His wrestling and track background at Maple Grove contribute to a low center of gravity and strong lower-body contact balance, allowing him to absorb hits and keep moving forward between the tackles.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Hull’s most memorable career moments is his 220-yard, four-touchdown performance against UMass during his freshman season at Northwestern, a game that announced his arrival as a Big Ten playmaker. He also set the Maple Grove Senior High School single-game rushing record with 398 yards, a mark that still stands as a significant program benchmark.
Evan Hull Career Wins
As a running back whose professional resume has been built primarily on reserve and special-teams duties, Hull’s win totals are tied directly to the success of the teams on which he has appeared on game-day rosters. Through the 2025 NFL season, his individual statistical contributions have been measured in limited carries and receptions rather than headline-grabbing rushing numbers.
Northwestern Wildcats Highlights
During his four seasons at Northwestern, Hull helped anchor a Wildcats rushing attack that produced three consecutive 900-yard individual seasons from 2021 through 2022. His 1,009-yard junior campaign ranked sixth in the Big Ten Conference, and his seven rushing touchdowns that season ranked eighth in the conference, earning him honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition from both coaches and media.
Other Wins and Performances
Hull’s standout single-game performances include his record-setting high school rushing totals at Maple Grove and his explosive freshman debut against UMass at Northwestern. His post-college journey through four NFL franchises has prioritized roster security and special-teams value over featured backfield production.
Evan Hull Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Evan Hull’s immediate family remains limited, and specific details about parents or siblings have not been widely reported. He grew up in Maple Grove, Minnesota, the same community where he attended high school and built his early football foundation.
Personal Life
Hull has largely kept his personal life private, with no public information regarding a spouse, partner, or children. Off the field, he maintains an active presence on social media, where fans can follow his training updates and offseason activities.
2025 Season Performance
Hull’s 2025 campaign began with a reserve/future contract in Pittsburgh before he was released in late August. He then joined the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad in late October and was elevated to the active roster in late November, finishing the season in a depth role within the Saints’ backfield.
His 2025 statistical output included 49 rushing yards on 19 carries, a 2.5-yard rushing average, two receptions, and 12 receiving yards. These totals reflect his status as a rotational reserve rather than a featured offensive contributor, with most of his value coming on special teams and in practice-squad development.
Looking ahead, Hull’s outlook for the remainder of 2025 and beyond hinges on carving out a stable role with the Houston Texans, who signed him in May 2026. His versatility as a pass-catcher and blocker, combined with his special-teams experience, position him as a candidate to compete for a depth-chart spot heading into training camp and the early portion of the Texans’ season.