2012 Bio

Honors & Awards

• First-Team All-Big Ten (CBS, ESPN, 2012)
• Third-Team All-Big Ten (Phil Steele, 2012)
• Honorable-Mention All-Big Ten (Coaches, 2012)
• Nebraska Student-Athlete HERO Leadership Award (2013)

Ciante Evans has been one of Nebraska’ most complete defenders each of the past two seasons, and he will be called on to be one of the Blackshirts’ leaders this fall. Evans is one of several experienced members of the secondary, a position group that will be called on for stability as NU breaks in numerous new faces in the front seven.

The 5-11, 190-pound Evans has seen his most extensive action as Nebraska’s nickel back during his career, but has also played in a regular cornerback role when the Huskers are in a base 4-3 defense. Evans combines his great versatility and consistency with outstanding football instincts, making him a key to the success of the secondary.

The play of Evans and his teammates in the secondary helped Nebraska lead the nation in opponent pass completion percentage while ranking in the top 10 in pass efficiency defense and passing yards allowed in 2012.

Evans performed at a high level throughout the season and earned honorable-mention all-conference honors from both the league coaches and the media panel, while ESPN.com and CBSSports.com selected Evans as a first-team All-Big Ten pick. He will be a contender for All-Big Ten and national honors this fall.

2012 (Junior)
Evans started 12 of 14 games and finished the season with 56 tackles, including 38 solo stops. He had six games with five or more tackles and ranked second on the team with eight pass breakups, while adding one sack, two tackles for loss and four quarterback hurries. He made the most of his first career interception, returning a pick against Idaho State 29 yards for a touchdown.

Evans had a pair of pass breakups and had five solo tackles at UCLA. A week later, he made a then-career-high seven tackles against Arkansas State and added a pass breakup. In addition to his interception for a touchdown against Idaho State, Evans had two tackles and a pass breakup. 

Evans made three tackles each against Wisconsin and Ohio State and had a breakup against Northwestern. He had six tackles, including four solo stops, against Michigan and made his first career sack in the third quarter. He also added a two-yard tackle for loss against the Wolverines.

Against Penn State, Evans had a career-high 10 tackles and added a hurry. He made six solo tackles and registered his second career sack against Minnesota in a 38-14 win. Evans added five tackles in the regular-season finale at Iowa. He closed the year with three solo stops against Georgia.

2011 (Sophomore)
Evans played in all 13 games with seven starts and finished with 33 overall tackles, including 17 solo stops. Evans had five or more tackles three times, and added three pass breakups and a tackle for loss.

Evans had a season-high six tackles against both Fresno State and Washington, and had a breakup against the Bulldogs. He had four tackles, including three solo stops, at No. 7 Wisconsin, then had single tackles against both Ohio State and Minnesota. He added a PBU against the Gophers. Evans made two tackles against Michigan State, then had five stops in a loss to Northwestern. He had one tackle each in the final three regular-season games, including a TFL against Iowa. He notched three solo tackles in the Capital One Bowl against South Carolina. 

2010 (Freshman)
Evans was the top backup to Dennard and Prince Amukamara, playing in eight games with a start at Iowa State. Evans, who came on after Dennard suffered an early injury against Missouri, had four tackles and pair of breakups in the key Big 12 North victory. On the year, Evans totaled nine tackles, including six solo stops.

Before Nebraska (Juan Seguin HS)
Evans was a standout defender for Coach Carlos Lynn at Juan Seguin High School in Arlington, Texas. As a senior, Evans made 46 tackles, while adding three interceptions and breaking up seven passes to help his team reach the state playoffs. For his efforts, Evans was a first-team all-district pick as a senior, while also being named to the Dallas Morning News' first-team all-area squad. He was also a second-team Class 4A all-state pick in 2009.

Evans also enjoyed a standout junior season when he made 28 tackles and had four interceptions to earn first-team all-district honors. Evans was ranked among the top 50 cornerbacks in the nation by both Rivals.com and Scout.com. The Dallas Morning News listed him as the No. 35 overall prospect in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and among the top 70 players in the state of Texas, while SuperPrep and Rivals.com both ranked him among the state's top 100 overall prospects.

Evans was also a standout for the Cougars' basketball team as he helped the squad to the regional semifinals in Class 5A as a senior after averaging double figures as a junior.

Evans only visited Nebraska, but had numerous offers including Oklahoma State, Kansas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and TCU.

Personal
Ciante is the son of Cedric and Tonia Evans and was born on Oct. 14, 1992. Evans is a business administration major. Evans has volunteered his time with Husker Heroes and team hospital visits.

Evans' Career Statistics

Single-Game Highs
» Tackles - 10 vs. Penn State (2012)
» Solo Tackles - 6 vs. Minnesota (2012)
» Tackles for Loss - 2 vs. Michigan (2012)
» Sacks - 1 twice (Michigan, Minnesota in 2012)
» Pass Breakups - 2 twice (Missouri in 2009, at UCLA in 2012)