Darrynton Evans: 2020 Dynasty Rookie Profile
Position: RB
School: Appalachian State
Class: Redshirt-Junior
Date of Birth: July 9, 1998
Height: 5-10 Weight: 203lbs
Athletic Testing
40-Time: 4.41
Speed Score: 107.3 (86th-percentile)
Burst Score: 125.4 (92nd-percentile)
Bench Press: 20 (51st-percentile)
Bio
Darrynton Evans was a two-star recruit in the 2016 class after rushing for over 1,600 yards and 25 touchdowns in his final two years at New Smyrna Beach High Score in Florida. He received multiple offers from Division I schools before landing at Appalachian State. Evans played just 54 snaps in his freshman season, taking 48 carries for 217 yards (4.5 YPC). A knee injury forced him to redshirt the 2017 season. Back on the field in 2018, Evans rushed for 1,187 yards on 179 carries (6.6 YPC) and seven TDs. He became the lead back in the second half of the season and averaged 118 rushing yards per game in that role. He added 12 receptions for 87 yards and one touchdown and was a first-team all-conference selection.
See Where Darrynton Evans Lands In Our 2020 Dynasty Rookie Rankings
Evans finished among the top-10 in the nation with 1,480 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on 255 carries (5.8 YPC) in 2019. His receiving production saw a bump with 21 receptions for 198 yards and five touchdowns. Evans was named the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player of the SBC Championship Game and New Orleans Bowl.
On top of his rushing and receiving production, Evans was a dominant kickoff returner. He finished his career with a 25.7-yard average and nearly 1,500 yards with one touchdown per season. Evans proved to be an above average athlete at the NFL Combine with his performance resulting in a 86th-percentile Speed Score and 92nd-percentile Burst Score.
College Stats
Darrynton Evans College Stats Courtesy of sports-reference.com
Positives
+4.41 Speed; 107.3 (86th-percentile) Speed Score
+125.4 (92nd-percentile) Burst Score
+31.5-percent (72nd-percentile) Dominator
+7.6-percent (64th-percentile) target share
+2018-2019: third most runs of 20-plus yards (28)
+No fumbles in 482 carries
+32.4-percent TD Share
+1.73 yards per team play
+Proven to handle a heavy workload
+56 career kick returns (three TDs)
From @MoveTheSticks: That’s #AppStateSpeed
Darrynton Evans (@ItzLiveee) with an official 40 time of 4.41 seconds, second-best among RBs at the #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/plkEjowAlf
— App State Football (@AppState_FB) February 29, 2020
Negatives
-Undersized; 29th-percentile BMI
-Below average broken tackle rates compared to the draft class
-2.97 YAC per attempt
-One season of 20+ targets
-Underwhelming as an inside runner
Highlight Reel
Best Comparable Player (PlayerProfiler): Darrell Henderson
NFL Draft Projection: Late Day Two-Early Day Three
Bottom Line:
Darrynton Evans is an undersized small school prospect but has the speed, explosion, and skill to make it at the next level. He proved to have a three-down skill set at Appalachian State but will probably be viewed as more of a change-of-pace option in the NFL or as part of a committee paired with a heavier back. His best fit is in an outside zone scheme that will help him get to the edge and take advantage of his track speed. Evans will likely be a Day Three selection in the NFL Draft and perhaps earlier if a team falls in love with his speed and kick return ability. He makes for an intriguing high-upside pick in the later rounds of dynasty rookie drafts and is one of my favorite sleepers.
Resources: DLF, PlayerProfiler, NFL.com, PFF
