Oklahoma Sooners Football: Offensive tackle Bobby Evans will enter 2019 NFL Draft

Oklahoma Sooners redshirt junior Bobby Evans has announced his intention to enter the 2019 NFL Draft. The left tackle joins right tackle Cody Ford in forgoing his senior season.

Evans was named a second-team All-Big 12 selection by the league’s coaches and media in 2018 after earning honorable mention honors in 2016 and 2017.

Evans was phenomenal as the starter at right tackle in 2016 and 2017, but the departure of Orlando Brown called for an offseason position switch. With Evans moving over to LT and Cody Ford moving out to RT, the Oklahoma offensive line experienced brief growing pains before becoming a dominant and cohesive unit down the stretch, which culminated in the group winning the 800-pound Joe Moore Award.

With this latest news, Oklahoma will be returning only one starter — center Creed Humphrey — along the offensive line in 2019. Fortunately, there are some promising options who have each had a bit of time to develop under Bill Bedenbaugh. The 2017 class could be well-represented, tackle Adrian Ealy as well as guards Tyrese Robinson and Marquis Hayes having great chances to claim spots. 2018 signees Brey Walker and Darrell Simpson could also compete for a spot, as could OU’s recent JUCO signees — 2019’s Finley Felix and 2018’s David Swaby. There will undoubtedly be some growing pains, but Big 12 defensive fronts will likely want no part of this group come November.

Evans was a quick learner and a tireless worker during his four seasons in Norman. Obviously, those traits will come in handy as he tries to make a career out of the game of football. He’s projected by many to be a Day 2 pick (second or third round) in April’s draft, and with as much experience as he has under his belt at this point, it’s tough to question this move.