Punter Evolution – James Evans Rates Among Nation’s Best
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The transition is impressive, seeing James Evans as he is now, one of the nation’s best punters at 6-foot-1 and 217 pounds, and what he was when he arrived raw and football naïve in 2021, a New Zealand native who had much to learn about American football, starting with when he could take off his helmet without violating college rules and elevating his coach’s blood pressure.
“It’s pretty surreal, realizing how much work it would take to get here, and then doing it,” Evans says from a Memorial Stadium Team Room podium. “The biggest thing was setting goals and having measurable things that I wanted to obtain. Setting a plan and a routine to achieve them.”
The plan worked. Consider the way Evans dominates the school record book. Last year’s average of 45.8 yards was the best ever by a Hoosier, topping Drew Hagan’s 44.8-yard average in 1999. He had 22 punts of more than 50 yards, with a long of 70.
His career average of 43.9 yards is also a school record, better than Alan Sutkowski’s 42.5-yard average from 1995-97.
Two years ago as a sophomore, Evans’ 13 punts downed inside the 10-yard line and 30 inside the 20-yard line both ranked No. 3 nationally.
It’s the result of work and dedication, from himself, from former special teams coordinator Kasey Teegardin, and from all the teammates who helped push him.
“My first year everything was new to me,” Evans says. “With having good guys, good coaches and good players around me, and getting experience in games and practice, I think I just grew mentally.”
Growth finds Evans on the preseason watch list for the Ray Guy Award, which goes to the nation’s best punter.
He’s not impressed.
“It’s cool, but it’s a preseason watch list. It doesn’t really mean anything. It would be nice to win it. We’ll see.
“Anytime you get recognition and are listed among the top guys in college football is cool, but now I have to prove I’m worthy of it.”
Evans’ arrival at IU is the stuff of legend. He knew nothing about American football upon arriving. COVID-19 canceled a summer trip to the United States and a December visit to Bloomington, both of which would have given him a clue on what to expect.
Mistakes happened, but so did learning. He started all 12 games as a true freshman, averaging 41.9 yards per punt. It was 44.3 yards the next season, setting up a record-setting junior year.
“Early on, with how new everything was, I was just trying to get by,” he says. “As I grew physically and mentally and became more comfortable and confident, I kept pushing through.
“I don't think there's a tremendous difference as far as my physical ability from year one to year four. But I think, mentally as far as my preparation, my routine, and the confidence I bring to every game, it has definitely evolved positively.”
Evolution is far from complete. There is technique to tweak, consistency to elevate.
“I want to be locked in on my pin-deep punting,” he says. “Pinning teams inside the 5-yard line, the 10-yard line, is the main thing.
“In the open field, it’s punting directionally to the right. I have a tendency to drop the ball inside kicking right. I’m work on dropping it just outside my hip and hitting a clean ball that turns over left to right.”
Evans was proactive during the coaching change that brought head coach Curt Cignetti and special teams coordinator Grant Cain to Bloomington from James Madison.
Cain had plenty of success with the Dukes, but he was an unknown to Evans, who says he reached out to some former James Madison specialists who had played for Cain to get an idea of what was coming.
Evans says the players “spoke highly of him as a person,” and that’s continued with the Hoosiers.
“It’s been a great experience so far,” Evans says. “The transition has been really good schematically for me. It’s a slight change, but more or less, the kick types are the same.
“I like that Coach Cain respects my technique and the coaching that I’ve had. He’ll ask me if something goes wrong, but won’t try to over-correct things. He’s very open with communication and willing to listen.”
As he did in previous seasons, Evans has put in extra time with IU’s punt returners -- in this case, Myles Price, Solomon Vanhorse and Ke’Shawn Williams -- to ensure they are ready for the season.
“They’re all getting a lot of reps,” he says. “They look comfortable and confident back there.”
As you’d expect from a senior, Evans faces the biggest leadership role of his college career.
“The biggest thing is being more vocal. I’ve always tried to do the right thing, lead by example and how I conduct myself as far as my preparation while also trying to stay busy and support the young guys.”
Evans’ athleticism (he played rugby and squash in high school) and work at Australia’s renowned Prokick training center set him up for success at IU, and perhaps beyond.
“Playing in the NFL is a goal of mine. I want to put good things on tape this season to solidify a chance to get there. I’ve trained with (punters) who have made the NFL. It was nice to pick their brains and see where I need to get to and play at that level.”