Ravens OLB Kyle Van Noy is one of the team’s leading stars and veteran leaders on defense. So his words carry a lot of weight, and that’s good news for undrafted free agent Joe Evans and his hopes of making the final cut this summer.
Van Noy described Evans as: “That’s Mr. Iowa right there. He’s an Iowa Hawkeye if I’ve ever seen one.”
Now, most people outside the Midwest/traditional Big Ten country would hear that and assume he’s a punter. Nationally, the Iowa Hawkeyes brand is punts and extremely low-scoring games.
There is a reason that fans wear t-shirts that read: “Live. Laugh. Punt.”
However, there is much more to Iowa Hawkeyes football than games with baseball-style final scores. It’s toughness, relentlessness, and playing a physical style of football that doesn’t translate to the stat sheet.
Van Noy has noticed this in Evans, praising his effort and ambition in the preseason opener and during training camp in general.
“Big Joe just loves his passion for the game,” said Van Noy.
“He didn’t complain once. I was proud of him. Not only is it an interview for this place, it’s an interview for 31 other teams. He wasn’t perfect, and to play as many snaps as he did, and his pass rush, he was all over the place.”
Evans, who aims to make the squad an edge rusher, recorded the second-most run defense snaps in the NFL during Week 1 of the preseason (31), according to Ravens Nation Live.
He led the Hawkeyes, one of the best defensive teams in the nation last season, in sacks.
According to Van Noy, Evans’s passionate play and high motivation are winning over his teammates.
“It’s awesome; he is the team favorite right now,” KVN added.
Evans’ winning over the locker room can only help his chances of passing the final round of cuts and making the 53-man roster.