Born in Bay City, Michigan, Evans moved to Cincinnati, Ohio when he was 11, and attended Lakota High School in West Chester Township, north of Cincinnati, where he won All-State honors in both football and basketball.

[1] Evans was a four-year letterman and two-year starter at outside linebacker for the University of Cincinnati.

As a senior, he was a second-team All-Conference USA selection and posted 4.5 sacks and 107 tackles.

[2] Signed as an undrafted free agent, Evans played on the practice squad of the 2001-2002 St. Louis Rams, who lost Super Bowl XXXVI to the New England Patriots.

He remained with the team until the 2007 season, when he signed a two-year deal with the New Orleans Saints.