Evan Mathias Royster (born November 26, 1987) is an American former professional football running back.

He played college football at Penn State University, where he was a three-year starter and an all-time leading rusher.

[1] Royster attended Westfield High School in Chantilly, Virginia, where he totalled 6,384 yards on 750 carries (8.5 avg.)

[citation needed] Regarded as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Royster was listed as the #26 running back prospect in the class of 2006.

[6] Royster made his college football debut on September 1, 2007, against the FIU Golden Panthers with eight carries for 70 yards and a touchdown.

[8] He scored the Nittany Lions' last go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter of the 2007 Alamo Bowl against the Texas A&M Aggies on a 38-yard carry.

[9] Royster made his season debut against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers on August 30, 2008, at Beaver Stadium.

[10] Royster was pulled from the game following his third touchdown at the beginning of the third quarter when Coach Paterno sat all his starters in favor of the backups.

[15] Against the Michigan Wolverines (who had beaten Penn State nine straight times leading into the October 17 tilt), Royster set a career rushing high.

[26] Royster completed his senior season as Penn State's all-time leading rusher having passed Curt Warner's nearly 30-year-old record during the Michigan game.

[38][39] Royster was expected to compete for the starting spot in the 2012 season against Roy Helu and Tim Hightower,[40] but lost the competition to rookie Alfred Morris.

[44] With the return of Helu, Royster was made the third-string running back and played more on special teams.

[45] He was placed on injured reserve after suffering a high ankle sprain after the Week 14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

[46] The Redskins released Royster on August 30, 2014, for final roster cuts before the start of the 2014 season, losing the third-string running back position to former Penn State teammate, Silas Redd.

[50] On May 30, 2014, Evan married his longtime girlfriend Jaclyn McDonald and now resides in Leesburg, VA along with their son, Roman.