:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54048263/usa_today_9641937.0.jpg)
Dane Evans - Quarterback - Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Height: 6’0
Weight: 210 lbs
Vertical Jump (Pro Day): 31”
Broad Jump (Pro Day): 9’7”
40 yard dash (Pro Day): 5.1 seconds (first attempt), 4.98 seconds (second attempt)
Did not participate in bench press.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8251879/usa_today_9608997.jpg)
Dane Evans came on to the scene as a freshman after starting quarterback Cody Green went down with an injury. Evans was under center for eight games in his freshman year and completed 84 of his 195 passes for 898 yards, four touchdowns, and ten interceptions. Had his season ended in 2013, we wouldn’t be talking about him at all but, fortunately for Dane Evans and the Golden Hurricane, the young quarterback only got better with time.
Evans earned the starting spot in his sophomore year and, although Tulsa only won two games, the young quarterback completed 256 of 462 passes for 3,102 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions.
Evans' junior year was arguably his greatest. The Tulsa Golden Hurricane welcomed, new head coach, Philip Montgomery and Dane Evans found his comfort zone. Evans finished the season completing 305 of 485 for 4,332 yards, 25 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. On top of a great season, Evans led the Golden Hurricane to a six win season and a bowl game. Dane Evans threw for 374 yards and three touchdowns without an interception in their bowl game but still lost 55-52 to Virginia Tech.
In his senior year with Tulsa, Dane Evans led the Golden Hurricane to their first ten win season since 2012. Evans completed 259 of 435 passes for 3,348 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Evans became a part of NCAA history as he, along with James Flanders, D’Angleo Brewer, Keevan Lucas, and Josh Atkinson, became the only offense in NCAA history to produce a 3,000 yard passer, two 1,000 yard rushers, and two 1,000 yard receivers in a season.
In his time with Tulsa, Dane Evans has shown he has the arm strength to get passes to his deep routes and he has a quick release as well. Evans wasn’t necessarily known for his rushing abilities, but he was able to rush for 10 touchdowns in his four years with Tulsa.
In the NFL Evans must work on his footwork and his ability to read defenses. He benefited greatly from having speedy receivers and a rushing attack that demanded respect from opponent’s defenses that he may not necessarily have in the NFL. Another concern I have with Evans heading into the NFL is that a vast majority of his big plays came from the success of a play action.
I don’t expect for him to be drafted, but I do believe Dane Evans could find himself on an NFL team before the beginning of the 2017 season. In the right system and with the right coaches to develop him, Evans could find some success at the NFL level. I’ll predict that he will wind up with the Seattle Seahawks, but he faces an uphill battle to find an NFL team.