Rashaan Evans became the latest former Alabama linebacker to hear his named called in the first round of the NFL Draft when he was selected with the No. 22 pick overall by the Tennessee Titans. He is the fifth Alabama linebacker to be taken in the first round since Nick Saban became head coach of the Crimson Tide in 2007.
Evans is the third former Alabama player taken in this year's draft. Minkah Fitzpatrick (No. 11, Miami Dolphins) and Da'Ron Payne (No. 13, Washington Redskins) came off the board earlier Thursday night.
Despite missing two games due to injury last season, Evans led Alabama with 13 tackles for a loss while finishing tied for the team lead with 74 total stops. He finished second on the team with six sacks and was tied for second with seven quarterback hurries. Evans was named a first-team All-American by the AFCA and was voted a permanent team captain by his Alabama teammates.
A big-game player at Alabama, the former five-star tallied a combined 22 tackles, four for a loss, with 2.5 sacks during the past three national championship games, helping the Crimson Tide to two national titles.
Evans primarily played middle linebacker for Alabama but was also used as an outside pass rusher when the Crimson Tide was in its “Dime Rabbits” package. The 6-foot-3, 232-pound defender should not have any trouble translating that versatility to the next level.
