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While Michigan football’s 2021 running backs room will still be crowded, it may be a little less so than anticipated.
With 2020 being a free year from the NCAA — meaning: every player who participated will not ding their eligibility and could return without penalty — there’s been some question about some of those senior players and whether or not they would try their hands at the college game for one more season. For those who might have questionable NFL draft stock, it would make sense for them to give it another go.
One such player looks like he’ll see what he can do in the professional ranks.
According to the Detroit Free Press’ Rainer Sabin, fifth-year running back Chris Evans will not seek another season at the college level and will declare for the NFL draft.
The Michigan football running back is expected to turn pro instead of using the extra year of eligibility the NCAA granted to all players before this season, the Free Press has learned.
“I think for Chris it was a no-brainer,” a source close to Evans said. “Obviously at that position you have a short shelf life and I think the has the skills to succeed.”
A fifth-year senior, Evans returned to the Wolverines after he was removed from the program for an undisclosed reason in February 2019 and was barred from playing that year. Evans hinted that academic issues caused his suspension.
In spite of that, Evans received a preliminary Day 2 draft grade from National Football Scouting Service, which is used by 21 clubs around the league. The favorable evaluation, which was made this past offseason, was linked to Evans’ potential.
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While that makes things somewhat clearer with Evans leaving, the other three backs — Hassan Haskins, Zach Charbonnet and Blake Corum — will be joined by elite 2021 recruit Donovan Edwards, who has the potential to make an early impact upon arrival.
In 2020, Evans rushed 16 times for 73 yards and a touchdown while adding 9 catches for 87 yards.
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