James Evans Improvement in Year Two Gives IU Another Special Teams Weapon

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

James Evans, Indiana University’s punter, had a rough transition to American football after coming to Bloomington from New Zealand. Evans had never kicked in an American football game and it showed. While he displayed a strong leg, Evans was wildly inconsistent in 2021 and it cost the Hoosiers on a number of occasions especially early in the season. In 2022 Evans looks much more comfortable and it’s showing on the field and in the stat sheet.

Last season Evans averaged 41.9 yards per punt, however he was extremely inconsistent. He punted 69 times and had 12 punts over 50 yards and had 13 downed inside the 20-yard line. He also averaged under 40 yards a punt four times. Evans spent the offseason fine tuning his game.

“I think I've just gotten more confident, more comfortable. You know as my time has progressed and then continuing to develop and become more consistent.” Evans said this week.

So far this season Evans has punted 12 times in three games. He has boomed four of those kicks over 50 yards and pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line five times. Evans had a punt downed at the two-yard line last Saturday against Western Kentucky. it’s been something they have worked on all offseason.

“That's something we've worked on a lot in camp and practices leading up during the weeks preceding the game. So that was really nice to to put it in on the two and one of the defense kind of go to work.” Evans said of his punt.

Evans also serves as the team’s holder on field goals. He has been solid there as well. A good punter is a real weapon for college football teams and Evans is on his way to a big season.