Zach Evans Bio
Zachary Evans, commonly known as Zach Evans, is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). Born on May 30, 2001, in Houston, Texas, he rose to national attention as a five-star high school recruit before starring at the college level. He played college football for the TCU Horned Frogs before transferring to Ole Miss for the 2022 season.
Evans was selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, appearing in 10 games for the team during the regular season. After being released in August 2024, he signed with the New York Jets practice squad and later announced his retirement from football in July 2025. Listed at 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) and 202 lb (92 kg), Evans built a reputation as a productive runner at the college level before his professional career unfolded.
Early Life and Background
Zachary Evans grew up in Houston, Texas, where he attended North Shore High School. He quickly established himself as one of the most talented running backs in the country, ranked as a five-star recruit and the number one player in the state of Texas in the 2020 class by 247Sports.com. Recruiters drew comparisons between his playing style and that of veteran NFL runner Melvin Gordon of the Denver Broncos.
During his senior season in 2019, Evans was suspended for breaking the team’s cell phone rules and was not allowed to play in the state championship game. The incident led to the release of his National Letter of Intent with the University of Georgia. Evans then committed to Texas Christian University, becoming the school’s first ever five-star recruit in the process.
Path to American Football
Evans’ path to professional American football began at North Shore High School, where his on-field production made him one of the most sought-after running backs in the country. His combination of vision, balance, and burst translated directly to the next level when he arrived at Texas Christian University as a freshman in 2020.
After two seasons with the TCU Horned Frogs, Evans transferred to Ole Miss to play for the Ole Miss Rebels in 2022. His lone season in the Southeastern Conference produced his most productive college campaign and set the stage for his early entry into the 2023 NFL Draft. The transition from high school phenom to draft prospect was marked by steady production at every stop.
Zach Evans Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
As a freshman at Texas Christian University in 2020, Evans played in nine games and totaled 415 rushing yards with four touchdowns. His debut season introduced him to the speed of the Big 12 and gave him a foundation to build on heading into his second year with the Horned Frogs.
In 2021, Evans played in just six games, recording 648 rushing yards and five touchdowns. His season was cut short by a turf toe injury sustained in a game against Texas Tech. After the injury and with a new opportunity ahead, Evans transferred to Ole Miss to play for the Ole Miss Rebels in 2022. He played one season there, rushing for 936 yards and nine touchdowns, and declared for the 2023 NFL draft following the season. He averaged the 10th-most yards per carry in the FBS at 6.5.
NFL Breakthrough (2023)
Evans was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the sixth round with the 215th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. The Rams added him to a running back room looking for depth, and Evans earned a role on offense and special teams during his rookie season.
He appeared in 10 games during the regular season, carrying the ball nine times for 19 yards. Evans did not play in the Rams’ playoff loss to the Detroit Lions, but he gained valuable experience in his first professional campaign. His rookie season offered a measured introduction to the speed and complexity of the NFL game.
New York Jets Era (2024–2025)
Evans was cut by the Rams on August 27, 2024, then was re-signed to the team’s practice squad a day later before being released again on August 29. He remained a free agent for several months before getting another opportunity late in the year.
On December 17, 2024, Evans was signed to the New York Jets practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Jets on January 6, 2025, securing his place with the organization into the following league year. On July 28, 2025, Evans announced his retirement from professional football, closing the book on a career that spanned two NFL franchises.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Evans’ career came at North Shore High School, where he became the first five-star recruit in TCU football history. His 936-yard, nine-touchdown season at Ole Miss in 2022 stood as his most productive year and helped him reach the 2023 NFL Draft. The announcement of his retirement on July 28, 2025, marked the final milestone of his professional journey.
Zach Evans Career Stats
Zach Evans’ career statistics reflect a player who produced strongly at the college level and earned a draft selection, even as his regular-season NFL touches were limited. Across his time at TCU and Ole Miss, he showed the kind of consistency that earned him a sixth-round selection in 2023.
TCU Horned Frogs Highlights
During his two seasons with the TCU Horned Frogs, Evans accumulated more than 1,000 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. He broke out as a freshman in 2020 with 415 yards and four scores, then followed it with 648 yards and five touchdowns in 2021 before a turf toe injury cut his season short against Texas Tech.
Ole Miss Rebels Highlights
Evans transferred to Ole Miss in 2022 and produced his most complete college season. He rushed for 936 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging the 10th-most yards per carry in the FBS at 6.5. Following the season, he declared for the 2023 NFL draft, where he heard his name called on day three.
Professional Performance
With the Los Angeles Rams in 2023, Evans appeared in 10 games and carried the ball nine times for 19 yards, finishing with a 2.1-yard rushing average. He later spent time on the New York Jets practice squad in 2024 before signing a reserve/future contract in January 2025.
Zach Evans Family
Personal Life
Zachary Evans was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Public details about his family and personal life are limited, and he has kept that side of his life largely private. As of his retirement announcement in July 2025, Evans was known primarily through his football career and recruiting profile.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year began with Evans under contract with the New York Jets after signing a reserve/future deal on January 6, 2025. The agreement kept him with the organization through the offseason program and into the summer, providing a path back to the active roster.
Evans did not appear in regular-season games for the Jets, as his time with the team was spent on the practice squad in late 2024 and then on a reserve/future contract in early 2025. On July 28, 2025, he announced his retirement from football, ending any on-field outlook for the season.
His departure closed a brief but eventful professional chapter that included a sixth-round selection by the Los Angeles Rams in 2023 and a late-season opportunity with the New York Jets. Evans exited the sport with two college programs, one NFL draft class, and two professional franchises on his resume.