Every day you’re sure to find Evangel’s Josh Evans driving, grinding and just flat out working his way into one of the top NAIA pass rushers in the nation.
“He’s the epitome of an Evangel athlete,” said head coach Chuck Hepola. “He’s a young man that just works his tail off. He’s really a self-made football player, great representative of our university as well as football program, and you’re not going to find a guy that works as hard as he does.”
The 5th year senior’s 11 sacks rank 2nd in the nation, also top 5 in tackles for a loss. He’s the heartbeat of a program that’s gone from four straight losing seasons to one win from a Heart of America South division title and a playoff berth; a transformation for Evans you have to see to believe.
“If you actually saw a before and after photo of when he came to Evangel it’s night and day,” said Hepola.
Five years ago, Evans starred for a Pleasant Hope team that won just a single game. Through injury and insult his dreams of college football seemed bleak.
“A lot of people didn’t think that I’d be able to pay college football, but my dad never doubted me once and we couldn’t really afford to come here and he sacrificed a lot and my mom did also,” said Evans.
Evans walked on at Evangel as a redshirt, a semester away from calling it quits, but once again he worked, battled, earned a scholarship and molded himself into not just the player, but the man he wanted to be.
“Physically I’ve gained 50 pounds, spiritually I’ve become a whole new person, I’ve matured as a man. This place has made me who I am today. Without this team, without these coaches I’ve encountered I wouldn’t be the person I am today.”
Now in the twilight of his college career, Evans reflects on his journey and takes pride in the trail he’s blazed for those who think it impossible.
“There’s kids back home from Pleasant Hope that don’t think they can play college football because they’re too small or because they’ve lost too many games, but I want to be a person they can look at it and say, ‘Josh did it, I can do it too.’ I want to be that testimony that hard work can get you to do anything.”
A future in strength in conditioning, soon Evans plans to share his passion to other prospective young athletes.
“All I know is whatever he’s going to do he’ll be the best employee they’ve got,” said Hepola.
Evans and the 23rd ranked Crusaders host 7th ranked Baker for Senior Day, Saturday, Noon at Ozark High School’s Tiger Stadium. The winner earns the Heart of America South Division title and an automatic berth into the NAIA playoffs.
