Akayleb Evans

2023 | MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Started all 15 games in which he appeared for the Vikings in 2023, registering 65 tackles, one interception, seven passes defensed and three forced fumbles.
• At Cincinnati in Week 15 (12/16), recorded an interception for the first time in his career and had four tackles and two passes defensed, tying his career high in a single game.
• Returned to the team's starting lineup in Week 14 at Las Vegas (12/10), recording two tackles.
• Inactive in Week 11 at Denver and Week 12 against Chicago due to injury.
• Started the first 10 games in 2023 and has three forced fumbles, tied second in the NFL among all defensive backs.
• Tallied seven tackles and a forced fumble at Chicago (10/15) and again recorded the exact stat line at Atlanta (11/5), forcing a momentumichanging fumble on Falcons RB Bijan Robinson.
• Recorded a career-high two passes defended Week 1 vs. Tampa Bay (9/10).

2023 | MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Started all 15 games in which he appeared for the Vikings in 2023, registering 65 tackles, one interception, seven passes defensed and three forced fumbles.
• At Cincinnati in Week 15 (12/16), recorded an interception for the first time in his career and had four tackles and two passes defensed, tying his career high in a single game.
• Returned to the team's starting lineup in Week 14 at Las Vegas (12/10), recording two tackles.
• Inactive in Week 11 at Denver and Week 12 against Chicago due to injury.
• Started the first 10 games in 2023 and has three forced fumbles, tied second in the NFL among all defensive backs.
• Tallied seven tackles and a forced fumble at Chicago (10/15) and again recorded the exact stat line at Atlanta (11/5), forcing a momentumichanging fumble on Falcons RB Bijan Robinson.
• Recorded a career-high two passes defended Week 1 vs. Tampa Bay (9/10).

2022 | MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Placed on IR prior to the game at Detroit (12/11).
• Returned from injury to start vs. New York Jets (12/4) and totaled 6 tackles and a pass defended before leaving with another injury.
• Started his first career game at Buffalo (11/13) and totaled 6 tackles and forced his first career fumble before leaving with a concussion.
• Played a career-high 45 defensive snaps at Washington (11/6), recording a career-high four tackles on defense and two on special teams, and recording his first career tackle for loss, finishing with two, and his first career pass defended, breaking up a pass on a fourth down attempt.
• Saw extended time on defense, playing in 21 snaps at Philadelphia (9/19).
• Made NFL debut in Week 1 vs. Green Bay, playing six snaps on defense and 10 on special teams, tallying one tackle on defense.

COLLEGE - TULSA/MISSOURI

• At Missouri in 2021, appeared in 11 games (eight starts) and racked up 30 tackles on the season (27 solo), in addition to six pass breakups, two forced fumbles, a tackle for a loss and an interception.
• Recorded a season-high eight tackles at Boston College (9/26/21), six of which were solo.
• Played in 21 games (15 starts) at Tulsa.
• Suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in 2019 and earned a medical hardship.
• Played in nine games (starting six) as a true freshman in 2017 and had 26 tackles and two pass breakups on the season.

HONORS

• 2019 NFF/Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame Player of the Year.

PREP - MCKINNEY (TEXAS)

• Two-year letterwinner and starter at McKinney High School, where he played cornerback.
• Tallied 48 tackles, five pass breakups and a fumble recovery in eight games as a cornerback his senior season.
• Recorded 80 tackles as a junior.
• Earned Second-Team All-District 10-6A accolades as a senior.
• Totaled 128 career tackles, including 85 solos.

OFF THE FIELD

• Son of Calvin and Nita Evans.
• Earned his bachelor's degree in organizational studies from Tulsa in Spring 2021.
• Pursuing his master's degree from Missouri.
• Played cornerback at Tulsa and Missouri.
• Earned a medical hardship in 2019 after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury (Tulsa).
• Invited to the 2022 Reese's Senior Bowl.
• His favorite professional athlete is LeBron James, and Friday is his favorite movie.
• Was a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee at Tulsa.
• Has two older siblings.
• Launched the Akayleb Evans Foundation in 2017 in McKinney, Texas.
• Served as the co-vice president of the Black Men's Iniative at Tulsa.