Why Mitchell Evans’ HOF Game homecoming means so much to his family

The last time Mitchell Evans suited up on a football field in Northeast Ohio was under the Friday night lights when he played his last Wadsworth High School football game against Wooster on Oct. 23, 2020.

Now, after four years at Notre Dame and entering his second NFL season, the tight end was back home for the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. His Carolina Panthers played the Arizona Cardinals at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 6.

Evans did not suit up for the game, a 33-30 win by the Panthers. He suffered a low ankle sprain during training camp on July 28. Despite that, several of his supporters still came out, including his mother, Jodi Evans; his former Wadsworth football coach, Justin Todd; and a handful of current and former Wadsworth players.

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He comes from a family of athletes. His father, Adam Evans, was a football player at Kent State and the University of Pennsylvania. Jodi Evans, is an Akron Zips Hall of Fame volleyball player. His sister, Kacie Rubin, was a decorated University of Georgia volleyball player, earning All-American honors and now coaches at the school.

His sister’s success led to a natural sibling rivalry, Jodi Evans said.

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“He wanted to beat his sister of course,” his mom said. “Unfortunately, he didn’t have all the accolades that she got in Georgia, but he beat her with being able to step on the stage (of being an NFL player). At Notre Dame, he beat Georgia. He was happy so he holds that over top of her. It was always competition so they pushed each other to be the best that they could be.”

Despite his collegiate and professional success, Evans has not lost his roots, something his former high school coach and family cannot be more proud of.

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“We’ve watched him develop from a boy to a really fine young man,” Todd said. “While he’s received a lot of the publicity and fame, it’s not changed who he is at his core, which is my favorite part of Mitch’s story.”

“He comes back as much as he can, he ran a few camps,” Jodi Evans said. “… We have a youth scholarship dinner every year and he comes back and helps donate back to that. He just wants to give back and eventually he wants to be able to continue that legacy for the younger athletes.”

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Evans dreams came true when he was selected in the fifth round (163rd overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Panthers. Though he dealt with injuries last season, he made 10 starts his rookie year. He gained 171 receiving yards and scored two touchdowns on 19 catches. He enters 2026, competing for the No. 2 tight end spot on Carolina’s depth chart.

Evans was a 2024 John Mackey Award semifinalist after being a preseason second-team All-American selection. He helped the Fighting Irish reach the national championship game that season. He caught 43 passes for 421 yards and three touchdowns in 2024.

Reach Aaron at 330-580-8428 or ahhughes@usatodayco.com. On X: @AaronHughe2

The Canton Repository sports department can be contacted via email at sports@cantonrep.com.