Mark Evans, OL, Arkansas-Pine Bluff (6-2, 293)
For small school prospects, a week of practice at an all-star game can be the catalyst they need to get themselves drafted or shoot way up the board if they look like they belong with the Power Five talent. Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Mark Evans certainly looked like he belonged as he went toe-to-toe with all-conference players from the FBS.
While Evans was a left tackle in college, due to his size he was playing inside at the Shrine Bowl. Taking snaps at both guard and center, Evans looked right at home in pass pro with his foot quickness helping him mirror more athletic pass rushers and his balance and base helping him hold up against power.
In the run game, he played with an angry demeanor and despite giving up a lot of size, he played with a natural bend that allowed him to get under defensive tackles and out-leverage them.
The best HBCU offensive lineman in the 2023 NFL Draft, Evans is a developmental prospect, but he showed he has the tools to be worth an early to mid-Day 3 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Arkansas Pine-Bluff’s Mark Evans with a great anchor and base on this rep against PJ Mustipher from the #ShrineBowl. He’s been among the most impressive OL through two days of practice. pic.twitter.com/Dbsv9XQMec
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) January 29, 2023