‘He’s finally getting back to being that guy’ – Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman confident Irish star is turning the corner
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are beginning to gain a ton of momentum, winning seven straight games to date, the longest under head coach Marcus Freeman. During the team’s 52-3 victory over Florida State on Saturday, we saw continued growth on both sides of the football. That included some new faces, and some very familiar […]
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are beginning to gain a ton of momentum, winning seven straight games to date, the longest under head coach Marcus Freeman. During the team’s 52-3 victory over Florida State on Saturday, we saw continued growth on both sides of the football. That included some new faces, and some very familiar names.
It was arguably the best game we have seen so far this season for All-American tight end Mitchell Evans, who has been almost a complete non-factor coming back from the 2023 injury. He finished the day with two receptions for 21 yards and a touchdown, his first of the season. Evans also had a 17-yard reception overturned, which was a great effort from the talented tight end.
While that box score wouldn’t suggest a crazy game for Evans, there was a more important takeaway, he looked healthy. Head coach Marcus Freeman discussed Evans during his media availability on Monday, and was highly complimentary of the senior.
“He played the best game he has played all year, the most complete game in both the run and the pass game that he’s played all year. It was great to see him make that touchdown, and that catch was a big time catch. I know it was incomplete but that’s the Michell Evans we have been waiting on. He’s finally getting back to being that guy. It was good to see him play the best complete game he’s played all year.”
If Evans is indeed healthy, and ready to contribute on a much higher level, it would be massive for this Notre Dame offense. Despite having his season cut short in 2023, the 6-5, 260-pound tight end was tremendous. He finished that year with 29 receptions for 422 yards and a touchdown, averaging 14.6 yards per carry.
So far this season, Evans has just 18 catches for 154 yards and a touchdown. Obviously, the production is way down, but the biggest key will be whether Evans will be the best version of himself down the stretch. When he is healthy, he’s one of the better tight ends in all of college football. He would be a tremendous to the offense.
