{{Short description|American gridiron football player (born 1999)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Mark Evans II | current_team = Edmonton Elks | image = 2025, 61, Mark Evans II.jpg | caption = Evans with the Edmonton Elks in 2025 | number = 61 | position = Offensive tackle | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1999|10|11|mf=y}} | birth_place = St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 4 | weight_lb = 295 | high_school = C.E. King (Houston, Texas) | college = Arkansas–Pine Bluff (2018–2022) | undraftedyear = 2023 | pastteams = * New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2023|2024}})* * Arlington Renegades ({{UFL Year|2025}})* * Edmonton Elks ({{CFL Year|2025}}–present) | status = Active | cflstatus = American | highlights = * 4× First-team All-SWAC (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022) * Phil Steele FCS Offensive Lineman of the Year Award (2022) * Willie Roaf Award (2021) | statleague = NFL | statseason = | statweek = | statlabel1 = Games played | statvalue1 = | statlabel2 = Games started | statvalue2 = | statlabel3 = | statvalue3 = | cfl = mark-evans-ii | pfr = EvanMa01 }} '''Mark Evans II''' (born October 11, 1999) is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for Arkansas–Pine Bluff.
== Early life == Evans was not allowed to play football growing up due to weight restrictions, so he did not begin playing until the seventh grade.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Bible |first=The NFL Draft |date=2023-03-25 |title=NFL Draft Profile: Mark Evans II, Offensive Lineman, Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/markevansii |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=Sports Illustrated |language=en |archive-date=2023-12-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222173808/https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/news/markevansii |url-status=dead }}</ref> Instead, he began boxing until he was able to start playing football.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-05 |title=Mark Evans II, OL, UAPB {{!}} NFL Draft Scouting Report |url=https://www.profootballnetwork.com/mark-evans-ii-ol-uapb-nfl-draft-scouting-report/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-04-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430063525/https://www.profootballnetwork.com/mark-evans-ii-ol-uapb-nfl-draft-scouting-report/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Evans initially committed to play football at Navarro College, though later was recruited to play at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Hooks |first=Kalan |date=2023-01-19 |title=Past adversity drives Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Mark Evans II toward NFL draft |url=https://andscape.com/features/past-adversity-drives-arkansas-pine-bluffs-mark-evans-ii-toward-nfl-draft/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=Andscape |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-04-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401041206/https://andscape.com/features/past-adversity-drives-arkansas-pine-bluffs-mark-evans-ii-toward-nfl-draft/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
== College career == Evans committed to play college football at Arkansas–Pine Bluff.<ref name=":0" /> As a freshman, he played in nine games, and during his sophomore season, he started in all eleven games at left tackle, contributing to an offensive line that allowed the second-lowest amount of sacks in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mark Evans II - Football |url=https://uapblionsroar.com/sports/football/roster/mark--evans-ii/3644 |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=UA Pine Bluff Athletics |language=en |archive-date=2022-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829105922/https://uapblionsroar.com/sports/football/roster/mark--evans-ii/3644 |url-status=live }}</ref> Although the 2020 season was postponed, Evans played with Arkansas–Pine Bluff at SWAC championship game against Alabama A&M in 2021. he played as a redshirt junior, where he allowed one sack and won the Willie Roaf Award, which honors Arkansas's top offensive linemen.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mosley |first=Kyle T. |date=2023-04-23 |title=Mark Evans II On Mentorship of Former Saints Willie Roaf, Terron Armstead |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/saints/nfl-draft/mark-evans-mentorship-former-saints-roaf-armstead |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=Sports Illustrated |language=en |archive-date=2023-12-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222235706/https://www.si.com/nfl/saints/nfl-draft/mark-evans-mentorship-former-saints-roaf-armstead |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mosley |first=Kyle T. |date=2022-01-15 |title=UAPB Offensive Lineman Mark Evans II Receives Willie Roaf Award |url=https://www.si.com/college/hbcu/football/mark-evans-receives-willie-roaf-award-hbcu-uapb |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=HBCU Legends |language=en |archive-date=2023-02-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226155052/https://www.si.com/college/hbcu/football/mark-evans-receives-willie-roaf-award-hbcu-uapb |url-status=live }}</ref>
During his senior year, he started in nine games as part of an offensive line unit dubbed 'The Moving Crew' and only allowed two sacks.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=#UAPBFootball Evans Named Phil Steele FCS Offensive Lineman Of The Year; First Team All-American |url=https://uapblionsroar.com/news/2022/12/8/-uapbfootball-evans-named-fcs-offensive-lineman-of-the-year-by-hero-sports.aspx |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=UA Pine Bluff Athletics |language=en |archive-date=2023-12-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222173804/https://uapblionsroar.com/news/2022/12/8/-uapbfootball-evans-named-fcs-offensive-lineman-of-the-year-by-hero-sports.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
Evans participated in the East-West Shrine Bowl, the HBCU Legacy Bowl, and the NFL Combine. He was the first Arkansas-Pine Bluff player to be invited to the combine since Terron Armstead in 2013.<ref name=":1" />
==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 2 1/2 | weight = 303 | dash = 5.44 | ten split = 1.90 | twenty split = 3.06 | shuttle = 4.77 | cone drill = 7.71 | vertical = 26.5 | broad ft = 8 | broad in = 6 | bench = 21 | arm span = 32 3/8 | hand span = 10 3/8 | note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mark Evans II Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/mark-evans-ii/32004556-4181-5279-43d3-07d4c4e1ab17 |access-date=December 22, 2023 |website=NFL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 NFL Draft Scout Mark Evans II College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1038121&DraftYear=2023 |access-date=January 31, 2024 |website=DraftScout.com}}</ref> }}
=== New Orleans Saints === On April 30, 2023, Evans signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-29 |title=UAPB’s Mark Evans II signs free-agent deal with New Orleans {{!}} Arkansas Democrat Gazette |url=https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/apr/29/uapbs-mark-evans-ii-signs-free-agent-deal-with-new-orleans/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=www.arkansasonline.com |language=en |archive-date=2023-12-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222173804/https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/apr/29/uapbs-mark-evans-ii-signs-free-agent-deal-with-new-orleans/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Evans was waived by the Saints on August 29, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-29 |title=Instant analysis on every New Orleans Saints move at roster cuts deadline |url=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/lists/new-orleans-saints-roster-cuts-deadline-instant-analysis-every-move/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=Saints Wire |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-12-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222173806/https://saintswire.usatoday.com/lists/new-orleans-saints-roster-cuts-deadline-instant-analysis-every-move/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He signed to the Saints practice squad the next day.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Saints Player Transactions {{!}} New Orleans Saints {{!}} NewOrleansSaints.com |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/team/transactions/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=www.neworleanssaints.com |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-12-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215033936/https://www.neworleanssaints.com/team/transactions/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On September 4, 2023, Evans was waived before being re-signed to the practice squad on September 27.<ref name=":2" /> Following the end of the 2023 regular season, the Saints signed him to a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-sign-11-to-reserve-future-contracts|title=New Orleans Saints sign 11 to reserve/future contracts|date=January 8, 2024|accessdate=January 9, 2024|work=NewOrleansSaints.com}}</ref>
On July 28, 2024, Evans was waived by the Saints.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NFL News: Saints Cut Ties With Former HBCU Star, OL Mark Evans II|url=https://www.si.com/college/hbcu/football/nfl-news-saints-cut-ties-with-former-hbcu-star-ol-mark-evans-ii-01j3y12f1a1x|access-date=August 10, 2024|website=si.com|language=en}}</ref> However, following the release of Mason Fairchild on August 7, Evans was re–signed by New Orleans.<ref>{{Cite web|title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/mark-evans-ii-offensive-tackle-new-orleans-saints-roster-moves-announced-transactions-august-7-2024|access-date=August 10, 2024|website=neworleanssaints.com|language=en}}</ref> He was waived on August 27.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-53-man-roster-cuts-moves-transactions-august-27-2024-nfl-season|website=NewOrleansSaints.com|date=August 27, 2024}}</ref>
=== Arlington Renegades === On January 29, 2025, Evans signed with the Arlington Renegades of the United Football League (UFL).<ref>{{cite tweet |number=1884591079573381289 |user=JamesLarsenPFN |title=Breaking: The Arlington Renegades have added OT Blake Larson & OG Mark Evans to their roster. |date=January 28, 2025 |access-date=January 29, 2025}}</ref> He was released on March 20, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFL Teams Finalize Rosters After Successful Training Camp |url=https://www.theufl.com/news/ufl-teams-finalize-rosters-after-successful-training-camp |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=www.theufl.com |language=en}}</ref>
=== Edmonton Elks === On April 17, 2025, Evans signed with the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL).<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-04-17 |title=Edmonton Elks sign former New Orleans Saints OL Mark Evans II, three others |url=https://3downnation.com/2025/04/17/edmonton-elks-sign-former-new-orleans-saints-ol-mark-evans-ii-three-others/ |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=3DownNation |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Personal life == Evans has a younger brother, Jessie, who plays defensive line for the Ottawa Redblacks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mosley |first=Kyle |date=2022-11-15 |title=Mark vs. Jessie: The Evans Brothers' Last Collegiate Battle |url=https://www.si.com/college/hbcu/football/mark-vs-jessie-the-evans-brothers-last-collegiate-battle |access-date=2026-03-29 |website=HBCU Legends On SI |language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115135451/https://www.si.com/college/hbcu/football/mark-vs-jessie-the-evans-brothers-last-collegiate-battle|archive-date=2022-11-15|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Heilman |first=Michael |date=2025-09-18 |title=Ottawa Redblacks sign QB Hajj-Malik Williams and DL Jessie Evans |url=https://www.bgmsportstrax.com/2025/09/18/ottawa-redblacks-sign-qb-hajj-malik-williams-and-dl-jessie-evans/ |access-date=2026-03-29 |website=BGMSportsTrax |language=en-US}}</ref>
After Hurricane Harvey destroyed his family's home in 2017, he was temporarily homeless and eventually lived with four other people in a one-bedroom apartment during his senior year of high school.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gaither |first=Steven J. |date=2023-05-09 |title=New Orleans Saints rookie goes from homeless to top-paid UDFA |url=https://hbcugameday.com/2023/05/09/new-orleans-saints-rookie-goes-from-homeless-to-top-paid-udfa/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=HBCU Gameday |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-12-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222173803/https://hbcugameday.com/2023/05/09/new-orleans-saints-rookie-goes-from-homeless-to-top-paid-udfa/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
== References == <references />
== External links == *[https://uapblionsroar.com/sports/football/roster/mark--evans-ii/3644 Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions bio]
{{Edmonton Elks roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Evans II, Mark}} Category:1999 births Category:Living people Category:American football offensive tackles Category:New Orleans Saints players Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen Category:Players of American football from Houston Category:Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions football players