Former Gators safety Josh Evans visited an old home with his new team Wednesday.
Evans, who was drafted 169th overall in the NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars in April, stopped by the Oaks Mall for two hours to meet fans and sign autographs during the Jaguars Caravan Tour.
Two of Evans’ teammates, former South Carolina wide receiver Ace Sanders and defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks, were also present.
“It’s amazing to be an hour 25 (minutes), an hour 30 away,” Evans said.
After a breakout senior season with the Gators in 2012 – during which he led the team with 83 tackles, tallied 2.5 sacks and finished with three interceptions – Evans is still adjusting to the pace of the NFL.
“It’s more of a faster tempo,” he said. “It’s good on good each day. It ain’t were you might have one or two receivers where one might be good and the other might be average. It’s all you got each day. You can’t afford a bad day.”
A free safety at UF, the 6-foot-1, 210-pound Evans has the versatility to play both safety spots for the Jaguars if necessary.
“Just knowing both roles – anytime you know more, it helps your game, instead of just knowing one position,” Evans said.
Because he’s been busy with OTAs and minicamp the past two months, Evans has not traveled around much of Jacksonville, but he describes it as a “laid-back town.” The sixth-round pick said he’s already built a great relationship with first-year coach Gus Bradley.
Evans also shared his thoughts on next year’s Gators football team. He expects junior quarterback Jeff Driskel to assume a larger leadership role this season.
“This should be a huge year for him,” Evans said. “They’re really going to be on his back. … When you feel confident in your quarterback and know they can take the next step, it makes the team feel real good.”
Evans also had high praise for sophomore defensive ends Jonathan Bullard, Dante Fowler Jr. and the Gators secondary.
“Those guys had a huge impact coming in as freshmen,” Evans said. “(They) could really take this defense to another level.
“The DBs are pretty loaded. You’ve got three guys who can be future NFL stars.”
Evans said he has high expectations next year for redshirt senior wide receiver Andre Debose, who has struggled throughout his entire career at Florida.
“Debose had some ups and downs, some injuries,” Evans said. “I expect a huge year out of him. It’s his last year. He’s got to leave out with a bang.”
Contact Landon Watnick at lwatnick@alligator.org.
Former Jaguars offensive tackle Tony Boselli (far left) chats with current players (left to right) Ace Sanders, Sen’Derrick Marks and Josh Evans before an autograph-signing session at the Oaks Mall on Wednesday.
