The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Josh Evans Named to UAB Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2020
11/6/2020 11:59:00 AM | Football, Blazer Boosters
BIRMINGHAM – Former UAB football defensive standout and NFL veteran Josh Evans has been named the fifth and final member of UAB Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2020.
Evans was a member of the Blazers from 1991-94, tallying 274 tackles, 20 sacks, 25 TFL, seven forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries during his time on the Southside on the defensive line.
"Josh was a great player at UAB and in the NFL," said Director of Athletics Mark Ingram. "He also had a tremendous impact on the lives and career of many others, who credit him for much of their success. We should all be so lucky to have a person like Josh in our lives and we couldn't be more proud to honor him as a member of our Hall of Fame."
As a senior in 1994, Evans notched 72 tackles and five sacks with eight TFL. That season, he forced three fumbles and recovered one, helping the Green and Gold finish with a 7-4 record.
Perhaps his best season as a Blazer came in 1993, as Evans recorded 79 tackles in addition to nine sacks and 16 TFL while forcing and recovering one fumble. That season, the Blazers went 9-2, a mark that stood as UAB's program record for wins in a season until 2018.
In 1992, Evans stat line included 72 tackles and a pair of sacks to go along with six TFL, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, leading UAB to a record of 7-3.
Even his freshman campaign in 1991, UAB's first year of NCAA football, was impressive, as Evans finished the season with 51 tackles, four sacks and 10 TFL. UAB wrapped up that season going 5-3-2.
Undrafted out of college, Evans was the first Blazer in the NFL and went on to have a lengthy professional career, playing for two teams over a nine-year span. He played for the Houston Oilers in 1995 and 1996 and was with the team during their transition to Tennessee Titans.
Evans started Super Bowl XXXIV at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta with the Titans in 1999, ultimately falling to Kurt Warner and the St. Louis Rams, 23-16. Evans recorded five tackles in the game.
He played for Tennessee through the 2001 season before signing with the New York Jets for the final three seasons of his career. Evans retired after the 2004 season, having played nine seasons in the league.
Evans enters the Hall of Fame with his former coach, Dr. Jim Hilyer. They are joined by Elinor Kirk (Track and Field/Cross Country), Shayne Carnes (Baseball) and Tara Kidwell (Women's Soccer).
Class of 2020:
Dr. Jim Hilyer – Football
Elinor Kirk – Track and Field/Cross Country
Shayne Carnes – Baseball
Tara Kidwell – Women's Soccer
Josh Evans – Football
Class of 2018:
Graeme McDowell – Men's Golf
Jacque Nero – Women's Basketball
Gary Sanders – Announcer
Patti Schroder – Volleyball
Class of 2017:
Daniel Gaitan – Men's Soccer
Deanna Jackson – Women's Basketball
Jerome Mincy – Men's Basketball
Mirela Vladulescu Booker – Women's Tennis
Roddy White – Football
Class of 2013:
Vonetta Flowers – Track and Field
Dr. Charles "Scotty" McCallum – UAB President
Steve Mitchell – Men's Basketball
Harry "The Hat" Walker – UAB Baseball Coach
Class of 2009:
Gene Bartow – Head Men's Basketball Coach and Director of Athletics
Dr. S. Richardson Hill – UAB President
Oliver Robinson – Men's Basketball
Wanda Hightower Jordan – Women's Basketball
Dr. Jerry D. Young – UAB Senior Vice President
Evans was a member of the Blazers from 1991-94, tallying 274 tackles, 20 sacks, 25 TFL, seven forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries during his time on the Southside on the defensive line.
"Josh was a great player at UAB and in the NFL," said Director of Athletics Mark Ingram. "He also had a tremendous impact on the lives and career of many others, who credit him for much of their success. We should all be so lucky to have a person like Josh in our lives and we couldn't be more proud to honor him as a member of our Hall of Fame."
As a senior in 1994, Evans notched 72 tackles and five sacks with eight TFL. That season, he forced three fumbles and recovered one, helping the Green and Gold finish with a 7-4 record.
Perhaps his best season as a Blazer came in 1993, as Evans recorded 79 tackles in addition to nine sacks and 16 TFL while forcing and recovering one fumble. That season, the Blazers went 9-2, a mark that stood as UAB's program record for wins in a season until 2018.
In 1992, Evans stat line included 72 tackles and a pair of sacks to go along with six TFL, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, leading UAB to a record of 7-3.
Even his freshman campaign in 1991, UAB's first year of NCAA football, was impressive, as Evans finished the season with 51 tackles, four sacks and 10 TFL. UAB wrapped up that season going 5-3-2.
Undrafted out of college, Evans was the first Blazer in the NFL and went on to have a lengthy professional career, playing for two teams over a nine-year span. He played for the Houston Oilers in 1995 and 1996 and was with the team during their transition to Tennessee Titans.
Evans started Super Bowl XXXIV at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta with the Titans in 1999, ultimately falling to Kurt Warner and the St. Louis Rams, 23-16. Evans recorded five tackles in the game.
He played for Tennessee through the 2001 season before signing with the New York Jets for the final three seasons of his career. Evans retired after the 2004 season, having played nine seasons in the league.
Evans enters the Hall of Fame with his former coach, Dr. Jim Hilyer. They are joined by Elinor Kirk (Track and Field/Cross Country), Shayne Carnes (Baseball) and Tara Kidwell (Women's Soccer).
Class of 2020:
Dr. Jim Hilyer – Football
Elinor Kirk – Track and Field/Cross Country
Shayne Carnes – Baseball
Tara Kidwell – Women's Soccer
Josh Evans – Football
Class of 2018:
Graeme McDowell – Men's Golf
Jacque Nero – Women's Basketball
Gary Sanders – Announcer
Patti Schroder – Volleyball
Class of 2017:
Daniel Gaitan – Men's Soccer
Deanna Jackson – Women's Basketball
Jerome Mincy – Men's Basketball
Mirela Vladulescu Booker – Women's Tennis
Roddy White – Football
Class of 2013:
Vonetta Flowers – Track and Field
Dr. Charles "Scotty" McCallum – UAB President
Steve Mitchell – Men's Basketball
Harry "The Hat" Walker – UAB Baseball Coach
Class of 2009:
Gene Bartow – Head Men's Basketball Coach and Director of Athletics
Dr. S. Richardson Hill – UAB President
Oliver Robinson – Men's Basketball
Wanda Hightower Jordan – Women's Basketball
Dr. Jerry D. Young – UAB Senior Vice President
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