TUSCALOOSA -- Linebacker Rashaan Evans has spent the entirety of fall camp with the inside linebackers -- a position move that occurred in the spring. And the junior has competed with Shaun Hamilton for a starting spot.

Having spent the first two years of his Alabama career as an edge rusher and quarterback spy, though, the move inside has called for some adjustments for Evans. He has had to learn to stop the run on a more consistent basis and drop into pass coverage, but the one aspect of his game that has benefitted the Auburn native is his speed to play sideline-to-sideline.

“I think that’s the reason Coach (Nick) Saban put me in that spot so we could be able to do things like that,” Evans said. “Right now, I’m loving it.”

In the spring game, Evans was the WILL linebacker with the second-team defense and recorded a game-high 17 tackles. He and sophomore running back Damien Harris collided a few times along the line of scrimmage, and that will be something Evans will have to get used to if this experiment proves to be a permanent one. His counterpart, Hamilton, is a sound run defender, having started at WILL in the team’s base defense in 2015.

One of the key components for Evans to improve as a run defender is for him to add some good weight. The 6-foot-3 linebacker said he currently weighs 230-231 pounds, but his ultimate goal is to weigh 240 pounds before the season.

Through six fall camp practices, an entire spring season, summer 7-on-7 workouts and offseason work on his own, Evans has spotted one of the biggest differences in defending the run inside compared to outside.

“Just being able to hold my gaps, little things like that,” Evans said. “Being able to have better eyes. That would probably be it. Just looking at my keys, really, to be honest with you. From outside linebacker to inside linebacker, you have a little more keys, more things you have to look at. That’s probably one of the biggest things I had to work on.”

Evans said he has benefitted from being around Reuben Foster and Hamilton, who are “great mentors” to him. “With them having experience at the position, it’s helped me a lot transition from outside linebacker to inside linebacker.”

Foster, who will be the Crimson Tide’s starting MIKE this fall, continues to provide advice for his fellow Auburn native.

“Just keep fighting, pushing through,” Foster said. “Don’t let the play that you don’t know get to you. Just keep pushing and run fast. He can bring a great enthusiasm. Great enthusiasm, agility, hard-hitting and leadership on the field.”

That enthusiasm was evident when Evans spoke with local reporters during fall camp. The former outside linebacker does not know where he will play in the season opener -- because he is leaving that up to Nick Saban.

“I’m just training with them right now, but wherever I am, wherever I have to be, I have to do my best,” Evans said. “It’s been great, man. Coach Saban put me in a position to kinda try out and basically, I’m still there for right now. Wherever he puts me, that’s what I have to do.”

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