Although only a fourth round draft pick from a small school, Evans established a reputation as one of the best guards in the NFL, and in May 2010 the Saints signed him to a contract that made him the highest-paid guard in NFL history at the time.[1][2]
High school career
Unusual for an NFL player, Evans did not play football until high school. He attended Frankford High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was an All-Public League selection as a junior. However, Evans fractured his leg playing a game of pickup basketball at a church event prior to his senior year and missed the entire football season.[3] While sidelined he focused on academics, graduating 10th in his class, and with the help of his high school coach, Tom Mullineaux, was admitted to Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.[3] In fact, Evans did not attend Bloomsburg on an athletic scholarship, but rather an academic scholarship.[3]
College career
Evans attended Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, where he played for the Bloomsburg Huskies football team. After redshirting his first year, he spent his freshman season as a reserve offensive lineman. By his sophomore year, he took over as the starter at left tackle and went on to anchor the Huskies offensive line for the following three seasons. He was awarded All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference honors in each of those seasons, while earning Division II "Little All-American" selections in his junior and senior years.[4]
As a junior, Evans had 88 knockdowns with 10 blocks resulting in a touchdown. In his senior season, he opened holes for fellow Little All-America selection Jamar Brittingham, who ran for 2,260 yards and 32 touchdowns. He was a finalist for the Division II Gene Upshaw Offensive Player of the Year Award in each of final two seasons.
Fraternity Membership
In addition to his academic and athletic achievements, Jahri Evans also engaged in Greek life during his time at Bloomsburg University. He pledged the Alpha Eta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. as an undergraduate. His involvement with the fraternity continued well beyond his college years, as he is not only a life member of Omega Psi Phi but also actively participates in the fraternity's activities through the Eta Mu Nu Chapter. This experience not only enriched his college life but also connected him to a historic and influential network of African American leaders and professionals. Omega Psi Phi, founded in 1911 at Howard University, is known for its emphasis on community service, academic excellence, and the upliftment of African American communities. Evans' lifelong commitment and active participation in the fraternity demonstrate his dedication to the Cardinal Principles of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift in both his personal and professional life.
Professional career
Entering the 2006 NFL Draft, Evans was seen as a developmental prospect and was projected to move from tackle to guard in the NFL. He was evaluated as an early seventh round pick by Sports Illustrated.[5]
Evans was selected in the fourth round (108th overall) by the Saints, after they had traded their early fourth-round pick in the draft to the Philadelphia Eagles for veteran defensive tackle Hollis Thomas and the Eagles' mid-fourth-round pick.[7][4][8] Evans was the first Bloomsburg player drafted since Eric Jonassen went 140th overall to the San Diego Chargers in the 1992 NFL Draft. Evans was signed to a three-year contract by the Saints on July 25, 2006. He emerged as a consistent performer in training camp and preseason, and won the starting job after the projected starter, Jermane Mayberry, was injured in training camp and ultimately retired.[8] In his rookie year, Evans started all 16 games, and both playoff games, at right guard. He was subsequently named to the Pro Football Weekly All-Rookie team.
In his second year, Evans started all 16 games at right guard again, and contributed to an offense that ranked No. 3 overall in the NFL. Remaining a starter in 2008, Evans was part of an offensive line that allowed just 13 sacks on the season, a Saints franchise record.
Having established himself as one of the NFL's top right guards in 2009, Evans was named to the 2010 Pro Bowl NFC roster, being only the fourth guard to make the Pro Bowl in the Saints' 43-year franchise history. Jake Kupp made the Pro Bowl in 1969, Brad Edelman was honored in 1987, and LeCharles Bentley went in 2003.[9]
Evans was a restricted free agent after the 2009 season, and on May 11, 2010, the Saints resigned Evans to a seven-year, $56.7 million contract that was reported to make Evans the highest-paid interior offensive lineman in NFL history, surpassing Alan Faneca's five-year, $40 million deal with the New York Jets in 2008.[1][2][10]
On February 8, 2016, the Saints released Evans.[11]
Seattle Seahawks
On August 6, 2016, Evans signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks.[12] He was released on September 2, at the end of the preseason.[13]
New Orleans Saints (second stint)
On September 7, 2016, Evans returned to the Saints, signing a one-year deal.[14] Also in 2016, Evans was named to the Saints All-50th Team. In Week 8 of the 2016 season, Evans helped pave the way for running backs Tim Hightower and Mark Ingram II as the pair ran for a combined 245 yards and two touchdowns. Evans also helped the two backs again at home against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 11, rushing for a combined 197 yards and one touchdown. Evans was also important in the success of a 21-yard screen pass from quarterback Drew Brees to Ingram, resulting in a touchdown that same week.
Green Bay Packers
On April 26, 2017, Evans signed with the Green Bay Packers.[15][16] He started 14 games at right guard for the Packers in 2017.
Coaching career
Evans served as a preseason coaching intern in 2022 with the New Orleans Saints as part of the NFL's minority coach internship program.[17]
Personal life
Evans graduated from Bloomsburg in May 2007 with a bachelor's degree in exercise science. In 2009, he established a full scholarship for out-of-state minority students enrolled in BU's Master of Science in clinical athletic training program.[18] He is a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.[19]
In 2013, Evans married his girlfriend, Takia, in the Bahamas.[20]
In August 2015, Evans bought a share of the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League, joining his Saints teammate Marques Colston, who had bought a piece of the team in 2014.[21] He is currently serving as a preseason coaching intern with the New Orleans Saints as part of the NFL's minority coach internship program.[22]
