Rabbit Evans Feeling More Comfortable With The Utah Defense

Apr 4, 2025, 11:42 AM | Updated: 4:51 pm

Rabbit Evans looking forward to his second season with Utah football....

Utah football's Rabbit Evans. Photo courtesy by Utah Athletics

Utah Insider

SALT LAKE CITY—This offseason is significant for safety Rabbit Evans, and he’s excited about getting to work with Utah football.

After working his way into the rotation this past season, Evans is enjoying being out on the field again with the guys but is focused on big-picture goals this year.

“It’s been great, just coming out here with the team, being with the guys, it’s been fun,” Rabbit Evans said of spring ball experience so far. “I want to win, and being out here with my teammates, that’s the motivation.”

Rabbit Evans’ excited for year two with Utah football

Learning this defense can take time for newcomers. After joining the program last summer, it was a bit of an extended process for Evans to get up to speed in the defense.

“I can say a little bit last year I wasn’t really comfortable with it being my first year in the system,” Evans said.

However, Evans enjoyed a promising finish to the 2024 campaign. He tallied 19 tackles over the final three games to finish the season with 34 total tackles and according to Pro Football Focus, Evans earned grades of 74.0, 71.0, and 68.6 in those final three contests.

“I’m comfortable now,” Evans said. “Getting those reps really helped my confidence, and now, having this spring to work on everything, I’m starting to really get comfortable.”

That improved comfort level has been noticeable in practices this spring. He’s been around the ball, both as a tackler and coverage defender. He seems to be playing with greater confidence but he knows there’s still plenty of room for improvement.

“Just continuing to learn, continuing to build my relationship with the rest of the defense,” Evans said. “I’m just trying to build on last year and keep stacking with the team, keep getting better every day.”

Seeing progress in the safety room

The safety room has a slightly different makeup than last year, but the commitment to their craft remains the same, according to Evans.

“It’s been great coming out here to learn with each other, compete with each other,” Evans said. “We’ve been getting better every day, that’s the mindset I come in with, just getting each other better every day.”

Evans has developed a strong chemistry working alongside Tao Johnson, which has benefitted them both.

“Tao’s my brother, it’s been good, we’ve been growing together these past 10 months,” Evans said. “It’s been good to learn who he is as a player, as a friend.”

Morgan Scalley’s message to the defense this offseason

2024 wasn’t necessarily a bad performance by the defensive unit. However, a lot of little details mounted over time and hindered their performance at times.

According to Evans, that’s been the message from defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley this offseason.

“Just consistency, running to the ball, finishing, and tackling how we supposed to,” Evans said. “Just doing all the little things to continue to grow.”