Tag: Chris Evans

Chris Evans ‘stayed focused’ in working towards reinstatement

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – As his roommate, Michigan VIPER Khaleke Hudson had a front row seat to everything that happened surrounding running back Chris Evans. The would-be senior tailback was set to be the leading rusher now that Karan Higdon had …

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — As his roommate, Michigan VIPER Khaleke Hudson had a front row seat to everything that happened surrounding running back Chris Evans.

The would-be senior tailback was set to be the leading rusher now that Karan Higdon had graduated, but his plans were derailed due to an academic issue this past winter, which saw him leave the team while his future at the University of Michigan was in question.

While Evans remained confident over the summer, as he coached in his CE Stars 12 7-on-7 youth camps, that he would be able to rejoin the team, behind closed doors, there wasn’t as much rampant optimism. So, it was something of a surprise this week when Evans posted that he was able to rejoin the team, which was confirmed by head coach Jim Harbaugh on Monday.

Though his playing time with Evans is done, as Hudson graduates after this season, he was thrilled for his roommate once he got the news that he could suit up one last time for the maize and blue.

“I was super happy,” Hudson said. “Actually, knew before he even put it out there, because I stay with him. I was just telling him I’m proud of him, how he handled everything. How he stayed strong and how he kept his head. Because other players could really get frustrated with themselves, get out here and start doing anything, some crazy stuff. But he stayed focused, and he just did what he had to do.

“I’m just so proud of him and happy he’s back – working out and stuff. It’s just a good thing to see.”

Evans doesn’t get to rejoin the team just yet, as his suspension lasts until the end of the 2019 season. But, come January, once the 2020 Winter semester starts, he’ll be eligible to suit back up in a winged helmet.

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How Chris Evans return to Michigan adds explosiveness to backfield

Michigan football will have running back Chris Evans return to action next year, how will his explosiveness change the backfield?

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Back in February of this year, Michigan football simply announced that running back Chris Evans was “not a member of the football team at this time.” Evans would later post on Twitter that he was going through some academic issues and would continue his career at Michigan.

In July, there wouldn’t be any changes and he would be suspended for the entire 2019 season, as he would explain on Twitter that he was no longer enrolled in the university. Head coach Jim Harbaugh said the decision was made by the university, not the football team. Also that Evans had a chance to rejoin the team in the spring, but that wasn’t able to get resolved by then. Evans said the situation was “an academic mistake. Not my grades. I’m on pace to graduate.”

Since then we haven’t heard much about Evans, until last week.

Evans posted this on Twitter, hinting at his return to the field in Ann Arbor in 2020.

That talk continued today, as Harbaugh spoke to the media and addressed the Evans situation.

“Chris will be reinstated for the winter term,” Harbaugh said. “When he gets back in school he will be able to participate fully in football again. My knowledge of the situation is that he had a productive meeting to see if he could be reinstated back into school and my understanding that he will be for the winter term. We’ll welcome him back to the football team.”

The winter term begins in January, and no that doesn’t mean that if Michigan plays in a bowl game in January that he will be on the team. Michigan doesn’t start their winter academic term until Monday, January 8.

What does this do for the 2020 running back room? Only make it better. Evans was looked at as a possible starter heading into his senior year this year with running back Karan Higdon graduating and the other being underclassmen or freshman and not having much playing time.

The Wolverines have missed Evans speed in the backfield, and his ability to be a shifty receiving back as well. The running game has been fine without him though, as Hassan Haskins and Zach Charbonnet have stepped up big this season.

Haskins has 72 carries for 426 yards and two touchdowns, while Charbonnet has 117 carries for 559 yards and 11 touchdowns. While they have been able to score and get some nice carries, the receiving aspect hasn’t been the same without Evans. Haskins and Charbonnet have a combined 11 catches for 39 yards.

In his three years at Michigan, Evans has a total of 304 carries for 1,722 yards for 14 touchdowns, along with 40 catches for 392 yards and two touchdowns. Evans saw an increased workload after his freshman year in 2016 and was seen as a threat on the ground with his speed, and as a receiver.

In 2020, Haskins and Charbonnet will return and with the addition of Evans means the Wolverines will have a nasty trio in the backfield. The elusive back in Charbonnet, the bruiser in Haskins, and the speed and receiving back in Evans.

Another year learning the playbook will be huge for the younger guys. Having Evans being used as a weapon in the passing game can help the spread offense out as the Wolverines haven’t used the running back much as a receiving threat this season. Evans returning will be a big shot in the arm to the backfield next year, and something everyone will be talking about heading into the 2020 season.

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