Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Indiana Football enters the season with high hopes for one of the most dominant offensive lines in the Big Ten — and a major reason for that optimism is the return of redshirt sophomore Drew Evans. Standing 6’4” and bringing a mix of size, strength, and grit to the trenches, Evans was a steady force during the Hoosiers’ remarkable 2024 campaign. But his breakout season was cut short in heartbreaking fashion when he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during practice in the week leading up to Indiana’s Week 11 showdown with the Michigan Wolverines.
“Obviously that was really a devastating moment,” Evans recalled after Wednesday’s fall camp practice. “I was really excited, because [the Michigan] d-line was really tough last year, and I felt that was a good opportunity to prove myself against some of the top guys. It was really kind of heartbreaking, but a good opportunity to face some adversity.”
Losing Evans for the final stretch was a major blow to Indiana’s offense. Without their premier pass protector in the lineup, the Hoosiers struggled to sustain drives against Michigan and never found their footing in tough matchups with Ohio State and Notre Dame. Before the injury, Evans had cemented himself as IU’s top pass-blocker, earning an impressive 83.1 grade from Pro Football Focus — a mark that ranked him among the top five offensive linemen in the entire College Football Playoff landscape.
An Achilles tear is one of the most challenging injuries an athlete can face — physically grueling and mentally exhausting. Evans opened up about the long, deliberate road back.
“With the Achilles, I was completely out of everything and not doing much for six weeks,” Evans explained. “Then I start to work in the walking again, then getting on a lighter treadmill, like the [AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill], so it is a very slow process. Once I got back lifting and started to see some strides in my calf strength, it was more uplifting, but still just very gradual, slow process. Still, it’s hard to sit out and watch your friends play without you.” The mental strain, he admitted, was just as challenging as the physical grind.
“Obviously really hard [mentally],” Drew Evans conveyed on Wednesday. “I’ve never been in that situation before. Especially the first few weeks when my friends are going to play really good teams without me and I cannot be out there with them. That was tough, but you really just have to focus one day at a time and know it is going to be done eventually.”
While some might wonder if he can regain his old form, Evans has no doubt. His calves aren’t quite back to perfect symmetry yet, but he’s confident it won’t hold him back. In fact, he said the moment he stepped onto the field for the first fall camp practice, he knew — he was ready to play again.
Evans is determined to make the most of every single day. Just as his rehab was a step-by-step journey, his return to game form is built on daily progress. He told the media he’s using each practice to knock off the rust, sharpen the fundamentals, and push himself closer to peak performance — and so far, he’s feeling strong.
“Be your best self every day and learn from your mistakes every day,” Evans said, closing out his interview with a mantra that’s carried him through the highs and lows.
The 2025 season will be a defining chapter for Evans — a chance to prove not only that he’s fully recovered, but that he can elevate his game to new heights. He’s eager to get back to doing what he loves, and we at Hoosier Huddle can’t wait to watch it unfold. Stick with us for full coverage of this highly anticipated football season, along with all the action from Hoosier Hoops.