Joe Evans Bio
Joe Evans (born June 29, 1999) is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes from 2018 to 2023 and signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2024. Standing 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) and listed at 252 lb (114 kg), Evans has been listed as a linebacker throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
Joe Evans was born on June 29, 1999, in Ames, Iowa, in the United States. He grew up in the same community where he would later attend high school, attending Ames High School in Ames, Iowa. His roots in central Iowa gave him an early connection to the Iowa Hawkeyes program, the most prominent college football team in the state.
During his junior season at Ames High School, Evans was pressed into action at quarterback after injuries to the starter. He completed 106 of 178 passes for 1,276 yards and 17 touchdowns, while also rushing for 439 yards and five touchdowns. That experience showcased his athletic versatility and competitive toughness before he focused on defense at the next level.
Path to American Football
Coming out of high school, Evans decided to walk on to play college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, rather than accepting a scholarship elsewhere. As a walk-on, he had to earn his place on the field and in the locker room, a path that required patience and steady development. His hard work paid off during the 2020 season, when the Iowa Hawkeyes put him on scholarship.
Evans steadily built his résumé at Iowa across multiple seasons, growing from a developmental redshirt into a disruptive pass rusher. His combination of size, length, and motor made him a natural fit as an edge defender. By his final college seasons, he had earned conference recognition, setting the stage for an opportunity at the professional level.
Joe Evans Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
As a true freshman in 2018, Evans did not appear in any games and elected to redshirt, preserving a year of eligibility. In the 2019 season, he posted seven tackles, with four going for a loss, and added four sacks, signaling his emergence as a pass-rushing threat. During the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Evans recorded seven tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, and a pass deflection, while also being placed on scholarship by the Hawkeyes.
Iowa Hawkeyes Breakthrough (2021–2023)
In 2021, Evans broke out with 33 tackles, seven tackles for loss, seven sacks, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble, establishing himself as a consistent disruptor on the edge. The 2022 season raised his profile further. In week one, he tallied two sacks and a safety in a 7–3 win over South Dakota State. Later, in week eight against #2 Ohio State, Evans sacked quarterback C. J. Stroud and forced a fumble that he returned 12 yards for his first career touchdown. He finished 2022 with 41 tackles, 8½ tackles for loss, 6½ sacks, and two forced fumbles, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors.
The 2023 campaign represented his most productive college season. In week twelve against Illinois, Evans notched four tackles, 1½ tackles for loss, a sack, a safety, and three pass deflections in a 15–13 win. He closed the year with a career-high four sacks in the Citrus Bowl against Tennessee. For the season, he recorded 46 tackles, 13½ tackles for loss, 9½ sacks, four pass deflections, and a forced fumble, earning third-team All-Big Ten recognition.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2024)
After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, Joe Evans signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2024. He was waived on August 27, 2024, but re-signed to the team’s practice squad the same day, reflecting the organization’s continued interest in his development. Evans was later released on September 24, 2024.
Driving Style and Strengths
Evans is known primarily as a pass-rushing linebacker with the size and strength to set the edge against the run. His college production showed a steady ability to pressure the quarterback, accumulate sacks, and force fumbles. At 6 ft 1 in and 252 lb, he combines compact power with active hands, traits that allowed him to earn All-Big Ten honors in back-to-back seasons.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature college moments, Evans’ forced fumble returned 12 yards for a touchdown against #2 Ohio State in 2022 stands out as a career-defining play. His career-high four-sack performance in the Citrus Bowl against Tennessee capped his 2023 season. He also earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2022 and third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2023.
Joe Evans Career Wins
Joe Evans has built his résumé largely through individual and team statistical production rather than championship trophies. His biggest wins have come in the form of conference recognition and signature performances against top opponents. While he has not yet secured NFL playing time beyond his initial 2024 stint with the Baltimore Ravens, his college accolades highlight his impact at the edge.
Iowa Hawkeyes Highlights
At Iowa, Evans tallied 9½ sacks in 2023 and 6½ sacks in 2022, including key performances against South Dakota State, Ohio State, and Tennessee. His 13½ tackles for loss in 2023 ranked among the top totals on the Hawkeyes defense. He was named second-team All-Big Ten in 2022 and third-team All-Big Ten in 2023.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the Big Ten, Evans posted a career-high four sacks in the Citrus Bowl against Tennessee to close his college career. He also recorded a safety against South Dakota State in 2022 and another safety against Illinois in 2023, demonstrating a knack for disruptive backfield plays in marquee games.
Joe Evans Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available information about Joe Evans’ parents and extended family is limited, and detailed family background has not been widely reported. He grew up in Ames, Iowa, the same city where he attended high school and developed into a college prospect. Further details about his family lineage are not clearly documented in verified sources.
Personal Life
Joe Evans keeps his personal life largely private, and there is no verified public information regarding a spouse, partner, or children. His professional focus since 2024 has been on his football career following his time with the Iowa Hawkeyes. He maintains a public presence on Instagram under the handle @bigjeaux_.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Joe Evans is working to secure a stable professional role after his initial 2024 stint with the Baltimore Ravens. As an undrafted free agent who spent time on the practice squad, his path back to an active roster will likely depend on training camp performance, special teams play, and edge-rushing production. His All-Big Ten college résumé provides a foundation, but the transition to the NFL remains in its early stages.
Throughout 2025, the storyline for Evans centers on whether he can translate his Big Ten pass-rushing success into a sustained NFL opportunity. Teams value players who can pressure the quarterback and contribute on special teams, both areas where he showed promise at Iowa. Consistency and health will be key factors as he attempts to carve out a longer professional career.
Looking ahead, Evans’ outlook depends on landing with a franchise that fits his skill set as a compact, power-based edge defender. If he can return to a roster in 2025, his combination of college production and prior practice-squad experience could give him a path back onto game day. Until then, his 2025 season remains focused on preparation and earning another opportunity at the highest level.