Jets running back Zach Evans stunningly retires at 24

Jets running back Zach Evans has called it quits just days into training camp.

While there seemingly aren’t any further details, New York announced its placement of the 24-year-old on the reserve/retired list Monday afternoon.

Evans was a sixth-round draft pick to the Rams in 2023, when he appeared in 10 games, mostly on special teams, and rushed nine times for 19 yards.

The 5-foot-11, 211-pound running back joined the Jets’ practice squad in December 2024 before later signing a reserve/futures contract with New York in January, keeping him on the team’s 90-man roster over the offseason and into training camp.

Although his pro career didn’t necessarily pan out, Evans showed promise as a top recruit out of North Shore High School in Texas.

According to 247Sports’ composite rankings, Evans was a five-star recruit, the No. 2 running back in the country and the top running back in the star-studded Lone Star State.

He took his talents to TCU after high school, where he played in 15 games across two seasons, rushing for 1,063 yards and nine touchdowns on over seven yards per carry.

Evans transferred to Ole Miss for his junior year, where he tallied 1,055 yards from scrimmage with 10 total touchdowns across 12 games. 

He then declared for the 2023 NFL Draft and was selected 215th overall.

At Jets training camp, Evans was working alongside a crowded running back room that boasts the three-headed monster of Breece Hall, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, as well as undrafted former Michigan star Donovan Edwards and Kene Nwangwu, who had a 99-yard kick return touchdown in one of his two appearances for the Jets last season.

Upon Evans’ retirement, the Jets announced the signing of running back Lawrance Toafili, an undrafted free agent out of Florida State.

With Evans’ placement on the reserve/retired list, the Jets retain his rights until his contract expires.