Michigan Football: Clarity is coming soon for RB Chris Evans
Michigan football announced in February that Chris Evans was no longer part of the team and soon we should have more clarity on the situation.
Heading into the 2019 season, it looked like Chris Evans had the perfect opportunity to be the starting running back for the Michigan football team.
Karan Higdon was graduating and despite the growth of Christian Turner and the immense potential of incoming freshman Zach Charbonnet, with his talent and experience, the job would have been Evans to lose.
At the very least, Evans was going to play a role at running back for Michigan football. Whether that was as the starter, a change-of-pace guy or whatever. He is someone with speed that if he’s on the team, needs the ball in space, not only through handoffs but dump passes and swing routes.
During his career, Evans has rushed for 1,722 yards and 14 touchdowns, while averaging 5.7 yards per attempt. However, has never been able to be the No. 1 guy and has never rushed for more than the 685 yards he had as a sophomore.
Additionally, he has 40 career receptions for 392 yards and with the new offense being installed by Gattis, a quick back like him could make a killing out of the backfield. That and a strong senior season running the ball could have actually given Evans a shot to play on Sunday’s in the NFL.
But an academic “mistake” as Evans is calling it caused him to be suspended from the team.
“It’s an academic mistake,” Evans said to the Detroit News March 24. “Not my grades. I’m on pace to graduate.”
Also according to the Detroit News, Evans wrote an eight-page essay that he submitted to get himself an appeal to be reinstated this May instead of having to wait until January, after the football season. His appeal will be reviewed by four students and faculty.
The Detroit News also reported back on March 24 that Evans should hear back within a few weeks, so we should have an answer relatively soon on his status for the 2019 season.
Hopefully, Evans has a legitimate explanation for whatever happened or at the very least, he can offer remorse and accept the consequences. At any rate, the Michigan football program, according to 247 sports, is staying out of it.
“No update, that’s not something I’m involved in,” Running backs coach Jay Harbaugh said to 247 sports. “I’m really out of the loop on it and it’s being left in the appropriate hands. We’re just kind of waiting to see what they’re deciding to do.”
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Either way, it sounds like the appeal to be reinstated in May, giving him a half-year suspension instead of a one-year suspension from the University, is Evans one shot of getting back on the team for the 2019 season. If that appeal is unsuccessful, he won’t be eligible to return until at least 2020 and ultimately, it could end his career with the Wolverines.