College career
Evans was an immediate contributor in 2006 as a true freshman, seeing action in all 13 games. He recorded 12 tackles (7 solo), 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He would be named to the First-team of the Sporting News's the All-Big Ten Freshman Team. In 2007—Evans' first starting season at defensive end—Evans recorded 12.5 sacks (including 3.5 against Indiana). He also had 54 tackles, with 21.5 tackles for loss, to go with the 12.5 sacks, broke up 3 passes in coverage, and forced 5 fumbles. He was a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award as a sophomore.
By the start of the 2008 season Evans had been named to numerous preseason All-American teams, including Phil Steele's All-American first-team. He was also on the 2008 Bednarik, Lombardi, and Nagurski award watchlists.
In 10 games in 2008, Evans recorded just 34 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks. Evans elected to leave Penn State after to 2008 season and enter the NFL draft. He trained for the NFL Scouting Combine at Power Train Sports Performance in Millersville, Pennsylvania.