2024 Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 94 Days (James Evans)

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Today’s feature is punter James Evans who has put on a show the last two seasons punting the ball for the Hoosiers. While he is great at his job, Hoosier fans could do with seeing less of him punting and more of him holding on extra points and field goals. 

COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: # 94 – James Evans

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 219 pounds

Hometown: Auckland, New Zealand (Sacred Heart College Auckland)

Class/Position: Senior /Punter

Senior punter James Evans has become one of the best punters not only in the Big Ten, but the entire country since he arrived in 2021 from New Zealand. The last two seasons Evans has earned All-Big Ten honors and should once again be on preseason watch lists for the Ray Guy Award.

Last season, Evans punted 57 times for an average of 45.8 yards. He pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line 15 times and had 22 punts of 50 yards or more with a long of 70 yards. He is IU’s career punting average leader at 43.9 yards per punt.

While people may hope to see less of Evans in 2024, as he has punted 201 times in his three seasons with the Hoosiers, he can be a major weapon.

Evans knows the importance of his job to the team and said so after IU’s win over Wisconsin in 2023.

“I was trying to put our defense in the best position to make plays and stop their offense. You can say, ‘it's the fourth quarter, you want to be on your A-game’, but you really want to be on your A-game the entire game and try and assure that the field is as long as possible, so our defense can do their job.”

The Hoosier Huddle Countdown to Kickoff continues each and every day so be sure to check back often for the latest profile piece!