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oe Paterno likes Maurice Evans. After all, he's from Brooklyn, where the legendary coach was raised, attending Brooklyn Prep before matriculating to Brown University. What has Paterno and the coaching staff really excited, though, are the skills and potential Evans exhibited last year as a true freshman and the progress he made during winter conditioning and spring practice. Evans established himself in the spring as one of the prime candidates to earn a starting assignment at defensive end. He has good size, tenacity and instincts and should emerge as a player capable of making big plays on a consistent basis. Playing in every game last year, the former Christ The King HS All-American used his growing 6-2, 269-pound frame and talents to become an important member of the nationally ranked defense. The Sporting News recognized Evans as a first-team Freshman All-Big Ten honoree after he recorded 3.5 tackles for losses among his 12 stops. Evans is among a group of talented, productive and youthful defensive linemen who should be significant contributors the next three seasons. He is one of seven returning Nittany Lions from New York. 2006 Freshman Season Evans played in every game, quickly becoming an important member of Penn State's Top 15 nationally ranked defense. The Sporting News recognized him as a first-team Freshman All-Big Ten honoree. He made 12 tackles (seven solo), recording 3.5 tackles for minus-10 yards and 1.5 sacks. Evans made a tackle for loss at No. 4 Notre Dame. Against Youngstown State, he recorded a season-high three tackles, including one tackle for minus-five yards. Evans delivered three stops and a team-leading 1.5 sacks against Northwestern and had two tackles in the shutout of Temple. He was on the field for 162 plays, led by 20 snaps against Youngstown State and 18 versus Illinois. Personal
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