San Diego, Calif.----The United States Football League held its draft Tuesday night, and Wingate University All-American punter Ethan Evans was selected in the 10th round by the Pittsburgh Maulers.

"Getting drafted by the USFL is a huge stepping stone for my football career," Evans says. "It gives me a chance to keep playing the game I love even if the NFL doesn't work out. I wouldn't be where I am today without Wingate University and I can't wait to represent the university for many years to come!"

"We certainly are proud of Ethan," head coach Joe Reich says. "He has put in a huge amount of work to get here. Well deserved. He not only is uniquely talented, he maximizes that talent because of his work ethic."

Evans capped his illustrious Wingate career with a huge senior season. He earned first team All-American honors from the Associated Press and the D2CAA, while also picking up first team All-SAC and All-Region accolades. Evans was named the D2Football.com National Special Teams Player of the Week twice during the 2022 season. Evans helped lead the Bulldogs to a historic season, winning a program-record 11 games while also advancing to the NCAA D2 national quarterfinals for the first time in program history. He earned invitations to play in the Shrine Bowl and the Hula Bowl.

Evans finished second in the nation with a 45.7 average on 77 punts. He put 39 of those 77 punts inside the 20, with 30 of them going for at least 50 yards. He added 44 touchbacks on 67 kickoffs, converted 43-of-44 PATs and connected on 10 field goals including two of over 40 yards. Evans and the Bulldogs ranked fourth nationally in net punting in 2022.

The Pittsburgh Maulers will begin their 10-game season on Sunday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m. against the New Orleans Breakers. The regular season runs through mid-June.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a laboratory of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina. Wingate offers 38 undergraduate majors as well as seven master's and four doctoral degrees. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences; the Levine College of Health Sciences; the Byrum School of Business; the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences. 

Wingate is a leader in healthcare education, and nearly one in five Wingate undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 25 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award for 14 years straight. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.