A former standout at Ole Miss has abruptly retired from the NFL with just over a month left before the 2025 season kicks off.
Zach Evans, a 24-year-old running back playing for the New York Jets, was placed on the reserve/retired list Monday. His decision to call it quits came a couple days into training camp and shortly before the preseason opens Thursday.
The New York Jets made the announcement on social media.
We’ve placed RB Zach Evans on the reserve/retired list.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) July 28, 2025
Evans was selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. During his rookie season, he played in 10 games and carried the ball nine times for 19 yards. He then spent parts of the 2024 season on the Rams and Jets practice squads before signing a reserve/futures contract with the Jets on Jan. 6.
With Evans’ placement on the reserve/retired list, the Jets retain his rights until his current contract expires. So, if he were to make a comeback, it would either have to be with the Jets during the 2025 season before other teams could sign him beginning next offseason.
During his lone season at Ole Miss after transferring from TCU, Evans was dominant. In 12 games, he rushed for 936 yards on 144 carries – an average of 6.5 yards per rush that led the SEC in 2022 – and added 119 yards on 12 catches. His 10 touchdowns were second on the team behind now-Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins.
Evans was a five-star prospect out of North Shore High School in Houston.
