Darrynton Evans
{{Short description|American football player (born 1998)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Darrynton Evans
| image = Darrynton Evans 2021.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Evans in 2021
| current_team = Buffalo Bills
| number = 21
| position = Running back
Return specialist
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|7|9}}
| birth_place = Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 10
| weight_lb = 203
| high_school = New Smyrna Beach
(New Smyrna, Florida)
| college = Appalachian State (2016–2019)
| draftyear = 2020
| draftround = 3
| draftpick = 93
| pastteams = * Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2020|2021}})
- Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2022}})
- Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|2023}})*
- Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2023}})
- Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2023}})*
- Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2023}})
- Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2023}})
- Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2024}})
- Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2024}})
- Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2025}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights = * Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year (2019)
| statseason = 2024
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Rushing yards
| statvalue1 = 249
| statlabel2 = Rushing average
| statvalue2 = 3.8
| statlabel3 = Rushing touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 1
| statlabel4 = Receptions
| statvalue4 = 12
| statlabel5 = Receiving yards
| statvalue5 = 120
| statlabel6 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue6 = 1
| statlabel7 = Return yards
| statvalue7 = 223
| statlabel8 = Return touchdowns
| statvalue8 =
| pfr = EvanDa02
}}
Darrynton L.A. Evans (born July 9, 1998) is an American professional football running back and return specialist for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Appalachian State Mountaineers and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft.
Early life
Evans attended New Smyrna Beach High School in New Smyrna, Florida. He committed to Appalachian State University to play college football.{{Cite web |first=Chris |last=Boyle |title=After Christmas commitment, NSB's Darrynton Evans signs with Appalachian State |url=https://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20160203/Sports/605063822 |website=Daytona Beach News-Journal Online}}
College career
As a true freshman at Appalachian State in 2016, Evans played in 12 games rushing for 217 yards on 48 carries. He also returned 25 kicks for 563 yards and a touchdown. Evans missed 2017 due to injury and redshirted. Returning from the injury in 2018, he entered the season as a backup to Jalin Moore but took over as the starter after Moore was injured for the season, and rushed for 1,187 yards on 179 carries and seven touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Behr |first=Steve |date=August 9, 2019 |title=Evans takes over starting running back duties |url=https://www.wataugademocrat.com/sports/asu_sports/evans-takes-over-starting-running-back-duties/article_5be68b86-adc4-5e62-b298-8b7e130fccff.html |access-date=September 28, 2020 |website=Watauga Democrat}} As a kick returner he had 490 yards on 15 returns and had a touchdown. He was named the MVP of the 2018 Sun Belt Conference Football Championship Game after totaling 218 total yards.{{Cite web |last=Joyce |first=Ethan |date=December 5, 2019 |title=Darrynton Evans' big return (2018 Sun Belt title game) |url=https://www.journalnow.com/sports/college/asu/darrynton-evans-big-return-2018-sun-belt-title-game/article_782bf319-4cc8-5368-86dc-6b339c09259e.html |access-date=September 28, 2020 |website=Winston-Salem Journal}} As a full-time starter in 2019, Evans was the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 1,480 yards with 2,064 all purpose yards and 24 total touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Joyce |first=Ethan |date=December 4, 2019 |title=No. 21 App State's Darrynton Evans, Akeem Davis-Gaither win Sun Belt offensive and defensive player of the year awards |url=https://www.journalnow.com/sports/college/asu/no-21-app-states-darrynton-evans-akeem-davis-gaither-win-sun-belt-offensive-and-defensive/article_eb5a66b0-140e-5734-bc14-2d90efee3c09.html |access-date=September 28, 2020 |website=Winston-Salem Journal}} He was also named MVP of the 2019 Sun Belt Conference Football Championship Game and 2019 New Orleans Bowl.{{Cite web |last=Reed |first=Steve |title=Evans' 3 TDs lead Appalachian State to Sun Belt title |url=https://www.fayobserver.com/sports/20191207/evans-3-tds-lead-appalachian-state-to-sun-belt-title |access-date=September 28, 2020 |website=The Fayetteville Observer |agency=Associated Press}} After the season, he decided to forgo his senior season and enter the 2020 NFL draft.{{Cite web |date=December 25, 2019 |title=Appalachian State RB Darrynton Evans to enter NFL draft |url=https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/sports/appalachian-state-rb-darrynton-evans-to-enter-nfl-draft/article_f0aa1571-7fa2-546a-b41f-ccfd739e1fca.html |access-date=September 28, 2020 |website=Gwinnett Daily Post}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 10 1/8
| weight = 203
| dash = 4.41
| ten split = 1.50
| twenty split = 2.60
| vertical = 37.0
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 5
| bench = 20
| arm span = 31 5/8
| hand span = 9 1/4
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |title=Darrynton Evans Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/darrynton-evans/32004556-4111-6537-4adc-98552053123e |access-date=July 8, 2020 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1020971&DraftYear=2020 |title=2020 NFL Draft Scout Darrynton Evans College Football Profile |access-date=April 3, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}
}}
=Tennessee Titans=
Evans was selected by the Tennessee Titans with the 93rd overall pick in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt |first=Jim |date=April 24, 2020 |title=Titans Select Appalachian State RB Darrynton Evans in Third Round of the NFL Draft |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-select-appalachian-state-rb-darrynton-evans-in-third-round-of-the-nfl-dra |access-date=April 24, 2020 |website=TennesseeTitans.com}}{{Cite news |last=Moraitis |first=Mike |date=April 24, 2020 |title=2020 NFL Draft: Titans select Darrynton Evans with No. 93 pick |work=Titans Wire |url=https://titanswire.usatoday.com/2020/04/24/2020-nfl-draft-titans-select-darrynton-evans-with-no-93-pick/ |access-date=April 24, 2020}}
He was placed on injured reserve on October 15, 2020, with a hamstring injury.{{cite web|title=Titans Activate DL Jeffery Simmons from Reserve/COVID-19 List, Place RB Darrynton Evans on Injured Reserve|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-activate-dl-jeffery-simmons-from-covid-19-list-place-rb-darrynton-evans-o|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=October 15, 2020}} He was activated on December 7, 2020.{{cite news |author=Wyatt, Jim |title=Titans Activate RB Darrynton Evans from Injured Reserve |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-activate-rb-darrynton-evans-from-injured-reserve |website=TennesseeTitans.com |date=December 7, 2020 |access-date=January 14, 2021}} In Week 15 against the Detroit Lions, Evans recorded 57 yards from scrimmage and a receiving touchdown during the 46–25 win. This was Evans' first career touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Detroit Lions at Tennessee Titans - December 20th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202012200oti.htm |access-date=December 20, 2020 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
Evans finished the 2020 season playing in five games with 14 rushes for 54 yards, two receptions for 27 yards and a receiving touchdown, and nine kickoff returns for 206 yards as a backup to rushing yards and touchdowns leader Derrick Henry. He recorded one carry for one yard in the Titans' 20–13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the wildcard round of the playoffs.
On September 2, 2021, Evans was placed on injured reserve.{{cite web|title=Titans Place Three Players on Injured Reserve While Waiving TE Luke Stocker|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-place-three-players-on-injured-reserve-while-waiving-te-luke-stocker|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=September 2, 2021}} He was activated on October 23.{{cite web|title=Titans Activate RB Darrynton Evans, DL Larrell Murchison from Injured Reserve|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-activate-rb-darrynton-evans-dl-larrell-murchison-from-injured-reserve|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=October 23, 2021|access-date=October 24, 2021|archive-date=October 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024030638/https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-activate-rb-darrynton-evans-dl-larrell-murchison-from-injured-reserve|url-status=dead}} On October 29, 2021 he was placed back on injured reserve for a second time ending his season.{{Cite web|last=Wyatt|first=Jim|date=2021-10-29|title=Titans Place RB Darrynton Evans on Injured Reserve a Second Time, Ending His 2021 Season|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-place-rb-darrynton-evans-on-injured-reserve-a-second-time-ending-his-2021|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-29|website=TennesseeTitans.com|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029201506/https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-place-rb-darrynton-evans-on-injured-reserve-a-second-time-ending-his-2021 |archive-date=October 29, 2021 }}
On March 10, 2022, Evans was waived by the Titans.{{cite web|title=Titans Release Three Players: G Rodger Saffold, OL Kendall Lamm and RB Darrynton Evans|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-release-three-players-g-rodger-saffold-ol-kendall-lamm-and-rb-darrynton-e|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=March 10, 2022}}
=Chicago Bears (first stint)=
On March 11, 2022, Evans was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Bears.{{cite web|title=Roster Move: Bears claim RB Evans off waivers|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-move-bears-claim-rb-evans-off-waivers|author=Mayer, Larry|website=ChicagoBears.com|date=March 11, 2022}} He was waived on August 30, 2022 and signed to the practice squad the next day.{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Bears reach NFL's 53-man roster limit|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-reach-nfl-s-53-man-roster-limit|author=Mayer, Larry|website=ChicagoBears.com|date=August 30, 2022}}{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Bears place 14 on practice squad|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-place-14-on-practice-squad-jersey-numbers|author=Mayer, Larry|website=ChicagoBears.com|date=August 31, 2022}} He was promoted to the active roster on November 27.{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Bears add Evans, Peterman, Gates to active roster|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-add-evans-peterman-gates-to-active-roster|author=Mayer, Larry|website=ChicagoBears.com|date=November 27, 2022}}
=Indianapolis Colts=
On March 31, 2023, Evans signed with the Indianapolis Colts.{{Cite web|title=Colts sign RB Darrynton Evans|url=https://www.colts.com/news/darrynton-evans-running-back-free-agent-signed-chicago-bears|access-date=2023-04-01|website=Colts.com|language=en}} He was waived on May 2, 2023.
= Buffalo Bills (first stint) =
On July 25, 2023, Evans signed with the Buffalo Bills.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-24 |title=Report: Bills to sign running back Darrynton Evans |url=https://www.audacy.com/wgr550/sports/bills/report-bills-to-sign-running-back-darrynton-evans |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=www.audacy.com |language=en}} He was released on August 29, 2023.{{cite web |last1=Dimmitt |first1=Zach |title='Crazy Story' - But Buffalo Bills Cut RB Darrynton Evans at Deadline |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/bills/news/buffalo-bills-darrynton-evans-running-back-crazy-flight-trip-preseason-roster-cuts-depth-chart |website=Sports Illustrated |access-date=30 August 2023}}
= Miami Dolphins (first stint)=
On August 31, 2023, Evans signed with the Miami Dolphins practice squad.{{cite web|title=Miami Dolphins Sign Eight to Practice Squad|url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/miami-dolphins-sign-eight-to-practice-squad-8-31-23|website=MiamiDolphins.com|date=August 31, 2023}}
=Chicago Bears (second stint)=
On October 9, 2023, Evans was signed by the Bears off the Dolphins practice squad.{{cite web|title=Roster Move: Bears sign RB Darrynton Evans|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-move-bears-sign-rb-darrynton-evans-injuries-herbert-roschon-johnson-homer|author=Mayer, Larry|website=ChicagoBears.com|date=October 9, 2023}} He was waived on November 16.{{cite web |last1=Sugrue |first1=Brendan |title=Bears waive RB Darrynton Evans |url=https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2023/11/16/bears-waive-rb-darrynton-evans/ |website=Bears Wire |access-date=17 November 2023}}
= Miami Dolphins (second stint)=
On November 21, 2023, Evans was signed to the Dolphins practice squad.{{cite web |title=Darrynton Evans: Signs with Miami|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/darrynton-evans-signs-with-miami/ |website=CBS Sports |access-date=22 November 2023}} On November 23, 2023, Evans was elevated to the active roster.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/dolphins-elevate-darrynton-evans-with-devon-achane-questionable |title=Dolphins elevate Darrynton Evans with De’Von Achane questionable |date=2023-11-23 |last=Williams |first=Charean |work=NBC Sports |access-date=2023-11-24}} He was not signed to a reserve/future contract after the season and thus became a free agent upon the expiration of his practice squad contract.{{Cite news|url=https://dolphinswire.usatoday.com/lists/dolphins-2024-reserve-future-contracts/|newspaper=USA Today|title=Dolphins sign 8 players to reserve/future contracts after 2023 season|date=January 15, 2024|author=Masala, Mike}}
=Buffalo Bills (second stint)=
On January 23, 2024, Evans signed a reserve/future contract with the Bills. He was placed on injured reserve on August 27.{{cite web|title=Buffalo Bills made these moves to get to initial 53-man roster {{!}} 2024|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/buffalo-bills-made-these-moves-to-get-to-initial-53-man-roster|author=White, Alec|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=August 27, 2024}} He was released on October 29.
=Chicago Bears (third stint)=
On November 6, 2024, Evans was signed to the Chicago Bears practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on December 21.{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Bears put Bates on IR, sign Evans|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-put-bates-on-ir-sign-evans-2024-week-16|author=Mayer, Larry|website=ChicagoBears.com|date=December 21, 2024}}
=Buffalo Bills (third stint)=
On March 13, 2025, Evans signed a one-year contract with the Bills.{{cite web|url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/buffalo-bills-free-agency-tracker-2025|title= Buffalo Bills Free Agency Tracker 2025 |accessdate=March 13, 2025|date=March 13, 2025|first= Alec|last= White |quote=Signed RB Darrynton Evans to one-year deal}}
Personal life
Evans is a Christian. He is married to Aiyana Willoughby.{{cite web |last1=Doering |first1=Joshua |title=Titans RB Darrynton Evans gets baptized, engaged in same week: 'Relationship with God will sustain your life' |url=https://sportsspectrum.com/sport/football/2021/09/15/titans-darrynton-evans-baptized-engaged/ |website=Sports Spectrum |date=September 15, 2021 |access-date=19 September 2021}} He runs a YouTube and Twitch channel called ItzLiveee.{{Cite web |title=ItzLiveee - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6uzymfEoFcpYC8j3Eb5MVA/featured?app=desktop |access-date=2022-07-01 |website=www.youtube.com}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
{{footballstats|yahoo=32763|espn=4036431|nfl=darrynton-evans}}
- [https://www.buffalobills.com/team/players-roster/darrynton-evans/ Buffalo Bills bio]
- [https://appstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/darrynton-evans/5419 Appalachian State Mountaineers bio]
{{Tennessee Titans 2020 draft navbox}}
{{Buffalo Bills roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Evans, Darrynton}}
Category:Players of American football from Volusia County, Florida
Category:American football running backs
Category:Appalachian State Mountaineers football players
Category:Tennessee Titans players
Category:Chicago Bears players
Category:Indianapolis Colts players