ULM's Caleb Evans named to Maxwell Award Watch List

University News Service | The News Star

Show Caption Hide Caption VIDEO: Where has ULM's offense improved the most? The News-Star's Adam Hunsucker caught up with ULM quaterback Caleb Evans prior to the spring game on Saturday.

ULM junior quarterback Caleb Evans, who accounted for 3,447 yards total offense and 30 touchdowns last season, has been named to the 2018 Maxwell Award Watch List, according to an announcement made Monday by the Maxwell Football Club.

The Maxwell Award has been presented to college football’s player of the year since 1937.

Evans joins two other Sun Belt players – Arkansas State quarterback Justice Hansen and Appalachian State running back Jalin Moore – on the 85-player watch list.

“Caleb Evans made great progress during spring practice, especially in terms of his decision making in the pocket and his knowledge of the playbook,” ULM head coach Matt Viator said. “Caleb will only continue to improve as he becomes more comfortable with what we’re doing offensively. It’s exciting because he’s still a young player with an extremely high ceiling.”

An honorable mention All-Sun Belt selection in 2017, Evans completed 61 percent (211 of 344) of his throws for 2,868 yards, 17 touchdowns and six interceptions. He ranked among the conference leaders in 300-yard passing games (third with 5), total offense (third at 287.2 yards per game), passing efﬁciency (fifth with a 144.2 rating) and passing yards (ﬁfth at 239.0 ypg.). Evans also ranked second on the team in rushing with 137 carries for 579 yards (4.2 avg.) and a school single-season record 13 rushing TDs for a QB. His 13 rushing TDs led the Sun Belt and ranked No. 26 in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision.

The 6-foot-2, 208-pound Evans accounted for a 515 yards total offense and six TDs against Arkansas State in the home ﬁnale. His 515 yards total offense were the 10th-best single-game total in the NCAA FBS in 2017 and the third-highest single-game total in school history. His six TDs also tied the ULM single-game record (Kolton Browning was responsible for 6 TDs each vs. Troy and Western Kentucky in 2012). Evans set career highs for passing yards (454) and TD passes (4) against A-State. His 454 passing yards ranked as the eighth-best single-game total in ULM history.

Evans was named Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week after accounting for 403 yards total offense and ﬁve TDs in leading ULM to a 52-45 victory over Appalachian State. He completed 24-of-32 throws for 356 yards and three scores against App State, and his 50-yard TD strike to RJ Turner with 23 seconds left proved to be the game winner.

The Mansfield, Texas, native hit 24-of-37 throws for 405 yards and three scores at Idaho.

Evans accounted for 456 total yards and four TDs in ULM’s 45-27 win at Texas State. He completed 24-of-37 throws for 433 yards and three scores against the Bobcats.

Evans was selected College Football Performance Awards National Performer of Week 4 and Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week after accounting for 472 total yards and six TDs to lead ULM to a 56-50 double-overtime win at UL Lafayette. He connected on 28-of-34 passes for 343 yards and a TD against UL Lafayette. Evans set career highs for carries (16), rushing yards (129), rushing TDs (tied school single-game record with 5) and TDs responsible for (6).

The award is named in honor of Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell, who played guard at the University of Chicago before transferring to Swarthmore College where he became a Walter Camp All-American in 1905. His contributions to the game were extensive as a college and professional player, assistant coach, official and sportswriter.

Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced on Oct. 29. Three finalists for the award will be identified on Nov. 19, with the winner announced at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 6 in Atlanta.