Latest news with #MitchellEvans
New York Times
19-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Panthers rookie TE Mitchell Evans ‘fantastic athlete' who's ready to do whatever it takes
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — At the end of the first minicamp practice, Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales had several rookies throw passes into the net used by quarterbacks during warmups. It was a team-building exercise pitting the first-year offensive players against their defensive counterparts. Tight end Mitchell Evans was the only player to toss a ball into one of the target squares. Advertisement 'I was a little rusty. I missed the (first) two,' said Evans, a fifth-round pick and former high school quarterback in Ohio. 'Once I finally got warmed up a little bit, got the rust off, I finally hit it.' Despite his QB background, Evans never attempted a pass at Notre Dame, where he led the Fighting Irish with 43 catches in 2024 and had eight career rushing attempts. Evans was not as multifaceted in college as Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, drafted 14th by the Indianapolis Colts after posting touchdowns as a receiver (eight), rusher (four) and passer (one) during his final season with the Nittany Lions. Still, the Panthers believe there's a lot to like about Evans' versatile skill set, even if he only went 1-for-3 in the passing contest. 'We're excited about Mitch,' Canales said. 'He's a fantastic athlete.' Evans grew up in a volleyball family in Wadsworth, Ohio, outside of Akron. His dad played football at Penn and Kent State, before transitioning to travel volleyball and coaching the sport at the club and high school levels. His mother was an all-conference player at Akron, where she's in the school's Hall of Fame, while his older sister Kacie played professionally for the Atlanta Vibe in 2024 after an All-SEC career at Georgia. Though he never played organized volleyball, Evans is a fan. 'My sister started playing when she was like 7 or 8, so I would always get stuck going to the tournaments, going all around the country. I played pepper with people. I'd set the ball or play against the wall. I would do all that,' he said. 'I just watched it for so long, I understand it a lot. … I really love it. It's a good sport, very underrated.' Evans was a quarterback his first two years of high school before hitting a growth spurt, which resulted in some back issues and prompted a move to tight end. The 6-foot-5 Evans wore a back brace throughout his junior season, when he caught seven touchdowns among his 19 receptions to get on the radar of college coaches. Advertisement Because of the COVID pandemic, Evans had a weird recruiting process. 'I was having weeks where I'd have four-hour, five-hour days of just back-to-back, hour-long Zoom calls, whether it was coaches … just stayed on Zoom,' he said. 'We were talking ball. I was getting virtual campus tours. It was a whole ordeal.' Evans committed to Notre Dame the summer before his senior season, when he returned to quarterback and was a second-team all-state selection after passing for 2,132 yards and 23 touchdowns. He enrolled early at Notre Dame in January 2021, estimating he missed Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble, who'd left South Bend to train for the NFL draft, by a matter of days. But the two caught up that summer at a gathering of current and former Irish players at a lake house. Evans recalled Tremble offering some friendly advice. 'He was just telling me, 'Keep your head down and work. It's Notre Dame. It's Tight End U. So good things are gonna come if you just put your head down and work. Do what you're supposed to do, stay out of trouble and know your stuff, good things will come.'' According to the South Bend Tribune, every primary Notre Dame starting tight end since Anthony Fasano in 2006 has been drafted. The 12-player list includes one first-rounder (Tyler Eifert) and six second-round picks. Tremble, a third-rounder in 2021, re-signed with the Panthers for two years and $10.5 million in March after catching 85 passes for 782 yards and nine touchdowns in his first four seasons. The Panthers assigned Evans a locker next to Tremble, one of several players who texted Evans after he was the eighth tight end drafted last month. He also heard from Bryce Young, Adam Thielen and Chuba Hubbard. 'When I got those texts, I was like, 'Oh, crap, this is pretty cool,'' Evans said. Evans' goals as a rookie are to minimize mental mistakes and maximize his value to the team, in whatever form that takes. Advertisement 'Be a contributing factor in any facet, whether it's to catch a pass on third down, if on fourth down they want to put me at the Y and just run-block my butt off and if we need that yard, to get it,' he said. 'Or if it's on special teams, to make a tackle. Or if it's to protect the punt, whatever they want me to do, I wanna be able to get asked to do something and deliver on that.' Evans, a three-year starter for the Fighting Irish, missed time with a broken foot in 2022 before a torn ACL ended his 2023 season early. He split his college snaps between the slot (47.2 percent) and on the line (42.1 percent), according to The Athletic's Dane Brugler. More of a possession receiver than a yards-after-catch threat, only two of Evans' 43 receptions last year went for 25 yards or more. But scouts like Evans' football IQ and believe he can be productive in the run and pass games. Canales concurs. 'Just looking at Mitch, what carries over from the film is just a really versatile guy. Whether it was the individual drills, going through blocking with (tight ends coach) Pat (McPherson), the footwork stuff, and then just being a reliable target,' the second-year coach said. 'He's a really smooth mover in his routes, plays compact at the top. So just all of those things, we just felt like a really well-rounded, clean football player and certainly fits into what we do.'
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Mitchell Evans is a versatile guy, says Carolina Panthers' head coach Dave Canales
(Image via Getty: Mitchell Evans) 22-year-old Mitchell Evans was only 17 years old when he played for Wadsworth High School as a starting quarterback. He accumulated 2,132 yards and 23 touchdowns there. Then in 2019, Evans played as a tight end in his junior year and scored 19 receptions for 306 yards with 7 TDs. That's where he got his calling for TE! At Notre Dame Fighting Irish football, Mitchen Evans shone with 77 receptions for 903 yards and 5 TDs in 45 games played. The Carolina Panthers picked Evans in the 2025 NFL Draft as a 5th-round, 163rd pick! The head coach for the Panthers, Dave Canales , is overjoyed with this selection. Canales had a lot to share with about Evans. Let's find that out. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The $5,000 Hearing Aid Lie... Exposed! Prime Sound Learn More Undo Dave Canales calls Mitchell Evans a well-rounded and clean football player Canales shared with Pro Football Talk that the tight ends coach, Pat McPherson, and he watched Mitchell Evans do things at the rookie minicamp that proved Evans could acquire a versatile role in the Panthers' offense. Pro Football Talk reported that Dave Canales shared with 'What carries over from the film is just a really versatile guy. So, whether it was the individual drills, going through blocking with Pat, the footwork stuff, you know, and then just being a reliable target. You know, he's a really smooth mover in his routes, plays compact at the top. So, I think, just all those things - we just felt like a really well-rounded, clean football player , you know, and certainly fits into what we do.' Mitchell Evans says the Carolina Panthers have a very good offense Rookie tight end Mitchell Evans shared with Pro Football Talk, 'I think we are very versatile, you know, we do a lot in the offense. We are not just blocking, we are not just pass catching, we are doing it all. There are a lot of different moving elements to this offense. It's very complex in a good way, and I think we do it all, so this is a very good offense to be a tight end.' Mitchell Evans reunites with a former Notre Dame Fighting Irish football alumnus, Tommy Tremble, at the Carolina Panthers The semifinalist for the 2024 John Mackey Award, Mitchell Evans feels at home with the Carolina Panthers because he's teamed up with a former Notre Dame tight end, Tommy Tremble. 24-year-old Tommy Tremble was drafted by the Panthers in the 2021 NFL draft as a third-round 83rd pick. So far, Tremble has accumulated 85 receptions, 782 receiving yards, 9 receiving TDs, 11 rushing yards, and 1 rushing TD. Also read: Terrion Arnold can't keep calm until the 2025 NFL International Games schedule is out - The Times of India
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Social media loved the Carolina Panthers pick of Notre Dame TE Mitchell Evans
Social media loved the Carolina Panthers pick of Notre Dame TE Mitchell Evans There is a long legacy of Notre Dame tight ends heading to the NFL, and in the fifth round of the NFL draft, Mitchell Evans was selected by the Carolina Panthers with pick No. 163 overall. Evans worked his way back from offseason surgery, and while he wasn't fully healthy for the whole year, by the end of it he seemed back to normal and a huge passing game threat. The Panthers are very familiar with former Irish tight ends, as they also have Tommy Tremble on the roster. Like with every pick of a Notre Dame player, social media had plenty of reactions, and for the pick of Evans, it was extremely positive. Check out below some of the best. The moment Mitchell Evans was selected A special moment for Evans, as he will now play at the professional level. He's a great value for the Panthers, and could be playing early and often. Marcus Freeman Like he has done with all the other draftees, Freeman went to social media to congratulate Evans on his achievement. There is no doubt that that he'll will represent the Notre Dame tight end fraternity very well with the Panthers. Great foresight They wanted the Panthers to take Evans before the draft started, and got their wish. There is no doubt in my mind that he'll be viewed as a great value pick at this point of the draft. Could this comp be true? Comparing him to a Hall of Famer might be a bit of a stretch, but if Evans can have a few Witten-like seasons, it will still be viewed as a draft win. If he does turn into that type of player, he's be looked at as one a of the best selections of the entire draft. Evans is ready for the next level The Panthers have invested plenty of draft capital at this position, and Evans could step into a big role right away. Even with Notre Dame's heavier run game tendencies on offense, he was still a threat in the passing game. The tape tells the story for Evans When healthy, Evans was one of the best players at his position in the country. He needs to stay on the field to reach his full potential, and if he does, those catches in his highlight reel will become normal.
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Notre Dame tight end heads to the NFL's NFC South after being selected in the 2025 draft
Notre Dame tight end heads to the NFL's NFC South after being selected in the 2025 draft Mitchell Evans has been drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the 2025 NFL draft Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Mitchell Evans has been drafted into the NFL. The Carolina Panthers selected Evans with the 27th pick in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft -- the 163rd overall. The Panthers had made a trade with the Baltimore Ravens. Evans played four seasons in South Bend, and in 2024, he had 43 receptions for 421 yards and three touchdowns, with his longest going for 33 yards. He had five receiving touchdowns and one rushing touchdown in his career with the Fighting Irish. He played in all 16 games, starting 11, after returning from a torn ACL suffered in 2023. Welcome to the NFL, Mitchell. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Follow Tim on X: @tehealey
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
From Fasano through Mayer, every Notre Dame football tight end drafted since 2006.
SOUTH BEND — Whenever Mitchell Evans hears his name called at the NFL Draft this week, most likely in the middle rounds, it will extend a remarkable streak for the tight ends of Notre Dame football. Going back to Anthony Fasano in 2004, every primary starting tight end has been drafted. That's how the Irish have extended their modern claim as Tight End U. Advertisement Here's the distinguished list Evans hopes to join: Secondary is primary: Breaking down recent NFL Draft history for Notre Dame football defensive backs More: A look at the 2025 Notre Dame football schedule with dates, opponents, kick times and TV 2023: Michael Mayer, Round 2 The record-setting All-American went 35th overall to the Las Vegas Raiders. Mayer has 48 catches for 460 yards and two scores thus far in the pros. 2021: Tommy Tremble, Round 3 A ferocious blocker, Tremble went 83rd overall to the Carolina Panthers. He's pulled down nine touchdown passes in four seasons among his 85 catches for 782 yards. Advertisement Tight End U: That crazy NFL Draft streak for Notre Dame football tight ends? Mitchell Evans is well aware 2020: Cole Kmet, Round 2 The former two-sport standout (baseball reliever) went 43rd overall to his hometown Chicago Bears. In five seasons he's averaged 52 catches for 518 yards; he has 19 touchdowns overall. 2019: Alize Mack, Round 7 The New Orleans Saints picked the Las Vegas product with the 231st overall pick, 23 picks before Mr. Irrelevant. 2018: Durham Smythe, Round 4 The Miami Dolphins took Smythe 123rd overall. A strong blocker, Smythe had 132 catches for 1,228 yards and three scores in seven seasons with the Dolphins. He recently signed with the Bears, reuniting with Kmet. 2015: Ben Koyack, Round 7 The Jacksonville Jaguars waited until the 229th overall pick to grab Koyack. He would spend four years in the NFL, making 25 catches for 208 yards and a touchdown. 2014: Troy Niklas, Round 2 The Arizona Cardinals took him 52nd overall. His four-year output in the pros: 19 catches, 203 yards, three touchdowns. 2013: Tyler Eifert, Round 1 The Cincinnati Bengals took him 21st overall, making him the only first-round tight end drafted that year. His eight-season production: 221 catches, 2,501 yards and 26 scores. 2011: Kyle Rudolph, Round 2 The Minnesota Vikings took Rudolph with the 43rd overall pick. Now retired after 12 pro seasons, Rudolph piled up 482 career receptions for 4,773 yards and 50 touchdowns. He owns the Vikings' record for TDs by a tight end and most consecutive starts by a tight end (81). 2008: John Carlson, Round 2 He went 38th overall to the Seattle Seahawks. His six pro seasons included 210 receptions for 2,256 yards and 15 scores. 2006: Anthony Fasano, Round 2 The Dallas Cowboys took him 53rd overall. Fasano finished his 12-year career with 299 catches for 3,278 yards and 36 touchdowns. Advertisement Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino. This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame football tight ends tend to make noise at the NFL Draft
