Hall of Fame
Russell Evans graduated from Rolla Senior High School in 1983 after a stellar prep football career. A recipient of all-conference honors on both offense and defense, as well as a two-time all-state selection, it was Evans' performance at receiver that caught the eye of Northeast head coach Jack Ball. He would go on to have an outstanding career catching passes for the Bulldogs, eventually leaving Kirksville as the second most prolific receiver in school history with career marks of 154 receptions and 2,387 yards. Evans reached these numbers despite being injured for half of his sophomore season. He lettered all four seasons he performed for the Bulldogs (1983, 84, 85, 86). Evans received MIAA offensive player of the week once during his junior year in 1985 and earned honorable mention all-MIAA honors as well that year. However, it was during his senior campaign in which Russell Evans would write his name into the Bulldog record books. The 5-7 157-pound split end exploded for 82 receptions, 1,167 yards and six touchdowns over 10 games in 1986. The catches and yardage numbers each set school and conference single-season records at the time and still stand as school records. Evans enjoyed his personal single game highs during his final campaign, with 13 catches against CMSU and 213 yards against Missouri-Rolla. Evans completed his Northeast career with at least one reception in 22 straight contests. He also played the role of punt returner for a time in '86, averaging 18 yards per return, highlighted by a 65-yard touchdown scamper versus Southeast Missouri State. For his senior efforts, Evans received team, conference and national accolades. His teammates voted him most valuable offensive player. He was twice acknowledged as MIAA co-offensive player of the week his final season and was selected first-team all-MIAA. Evans' 8.2 catches per game, second that season in Division II, helped him garner second-team accolades on the Football News all-America team, third-team Associated Press All-America honors and a nomination for the Harlon Hill trophy, the highest individual honor in Division II college football. Evans' collegiate success earned him a free agent contract from the NFL's St. Louis Cardinals in the spring of his senior year but he was cut during fall training camp in 1987. During the 1987 NFL players' strike, Evans performed for the Seattle Seahawks.
