Omari Evans Put Up Elite Numbers at Pro Day, But One Question Won't Go Away
Omari Evans ran the fastest 40-yard dash at Husky Pro Day. He jumped higher than anyone else there too. Problem? That doesn't mean a thing when the NFL Draft rolls around next month.
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound wide receiver from Killeen, Texas is a physical freak, no doubt about it. He clocked 4.25 seconds in the 40 and measured a 41-inch vertical leap. But here's the thing scouts are going to grill him on: if he's that talented, why didn't Penn State and Washington use him more?
The Playing Time Question That Won't Go Away
Evans started just six of 16 games for Penn State in 2024. Then at UW, he managed only four starts in 11 games last season. And yeah, he was stuck behind true freshmen while he was in Montlake. That's not the kind of resume you want when you're trying to convince NFL teams to spend draft capital on you.
For the Huskies, he was the sixth-leading receiver with 17 catches for 254 yards and a touchdown. That 59-yard score came in the Apple Cup against Washington State. At Penn State the year before, he put up better numbers with 21 catches for 415 yards and 5 scores, including a 38-yard TD grab in a 31-14 CFP quarterfinal win over Boise State in Glendale.
"It didn't go the way I expected it to, that's fine," Evans said about his season in Seattle, staying diplomatic. "Things happen. I know what I can do."
The Speed Is Real, But So Are The Doubts
Evans has the tape to back up his athleticism. His fastest 40 time clocked 4.22 seconds. He was among the fastest receivers on the UW roster this past season. That speed is absolutely a selling point for pro scouts.
But here's what's holding him back: bumps and bruises slowed him down at Washington, and scouts need to see toughness that translates to the next level. The NFL is way more physical for pass catchers. He also needs to prove he's a reliable receiver who understands discipline as a route runner.
"It's a process," Evans said. "Everything doesn't always go your way."
Draft day will tell us if the scouts believe he's worth the gamble. Unlike his UW teammate Denzel Boston, who's getting talked about as a high-round pick, Evans is out here trying to convince teams that the player they're going to see on Sundays is better than what showed up on the highlight reel from Seattle.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.