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Evan Hull: Indianapolis Colts Rookie Files

Originally posted on FanNation All Colts
By Andrew Moore | Last updated 7/21/23

You know what they say, "Patience is a virtue."

More often than not, the saying rings true. It can be challenging to stay patient when things are not going how you would like. But many times, staying patient leads to something better than you had hoped for.

The same can be said about the game of football. While recruiting or waiting to be drafted may take patience, it is about finding the right fit and capitalizing on your opportunities.

This is "Rookie Files," a series on Horseshoe Huddle that gives you the backstory of every rookie for the Indianapolis Colts. Going player by player, we look at their journeys to the NFL and what makes each unique while also detailing how they help the Colts. Next up, Evan Hull, whose patience has led him from a lightly-recruited kid in Minnesota to potentially becoming a key piece in the Colts' offense.

Hull was born on October 26, 2000, in Maple Grove, Minn. Hull developed a love for football at a young age and pressed his parents to play as soon as he was able.

Hull loved to play football growing up but had other interests too. During the offseason, Hull participated in wrestling and track and field. These sports would help keep him active and help him prepare other skills that he could take to the football field.

While seemingly partaking in sports year-round, Hull also showed an interest in the arts from a young age. He is skilled at playing the piano, and loves to draw in his spare time. Both activities help him to clear his mind and relax.

But his first love has always been football. Hull was enrolled at Maple Grove High School and began his career on the JV team. He was the starting running back for both his freshman and sophomore seasons. It was obvious to everyone around him how passionate he was about the game as he carried a football to class every day.

Hull burst onto the scene as a junior, earning the starting running back job on varsity and quickly becoming the focal point of the Maple Grove offense. He set the single-season rushing record at Maple Grove with 2,177 yards and 19 touchdowns on the way to earning All-State honors.

Hull backed up his record-breaking junior season with another impressive senior campaign. He was voted a team captain while rushing for 1,915 yards and 19 touchdowns, including a 398-yard performance that broke the school record for most rushing yards in a single game. Hull was named to All-Metro, All-Conference, and All-State teams, once again.

Even though Hull ended his Maple Grove career as the all-time leader rusher with 4,140 yards, he was only a three-star recruit and the No.82 ranked running back in the country. He had received offers from FCS schools such as North Dakota State and Northern Iowa. Ivy League schools also came calling, such as Yale and Princeton, due to his academics. But Hull remained patient, waiting to see if any offers would come in from bigger programs.

“Minnesota as a state is maybe not recruited as much and some guys get recruited a little bit later,” Hull told the Star Tribune. “Schools that I see myself fitting in best with are waiting to see what happens.”

Hull's patience paid off. A few weeks before signing day, Northwestern offered Hull a scholarship after missing out on a few other running back recruits. Hull committed to the Wildcats the very next day as the school gave him the chance to play in the Big Ten while having a strong academic program.

Hull stayed patient and got what he was looking for, a lesson he will need to lean on down the line.

As a three-star recruit and receiving a last-minute offer, Hull would face an uphill battle to enter the rotation at Northwestern. He would need to prove to his coaches that he was ready to take over as the lead back.

Hull only saw action in four games as a freshman, leading to a redshirt season. However, he took the opportunity to show what he could do as the lead back. Hull dominated against UMass for 220 yards on 24 carries and four touchdowns. It was the most rushing touchdowns scored by any Northwestern player in a game that season.

With that kind of performance, it would seem safe to assume Hull would have a bigger role as a redshirt freshman. Unfortunately, that did not come to fruition, as Hull only had 209 yards and two touchdowns in nine games. He instead spent most of the season on special teams.

Two years into his tenure at Northwestern, Hull had little to show for it. He had been a backup and special teamer, failing to secure a major role with the Wildcats. But Hull never complained or thought about transferring and instead continued to work on his game and stay patient for his opportunity.

Just like at Maple Grove, Hull's opportunity came in his third season at Northwestern. He earned the nickname "Energizer bunny" for his work ethic and effort in every practice and workout. Hull became the starting running back for the Wildcats and never looked back.

2021 saw Hull become the go-to option for the Northwestern offense. He finished with 1,009 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground in 12 games. Hull added 33 catches for 264 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver on the way to being named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten.

Hull continued as the Wildcats' top offensive weapon in 2022, rushing for 913 yards and five touchdowns while adding 55 catches for 546 yards and two touchdowns through the air. He was again named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten and led all FBS running backs in receptions.

Patience paid off for Hull once again. After two years of impressive performances against the best the Big Ten had to offer, Hull was ready for his next challenge. He declared for the NFL draft, ready to prove he belonged at the next level.

The first stop for Hull in the pre-draft process was the Reese's Senior Bowl. He quickly made an impression in practice as a dual-threat back. He routinely broke through the line for big gains on the ground and beat defenders 1-on-1 as a pass catcher.

When the game rolled around, Hull rushed for 74 yards on ten carries, including a 24-yard gain on the first play of the contest. He also added 11 yards on two catches. Teams came away from the Senior Bowl feeling like Hull could be a very good third-down back.

Hull continued to show the kind of athlete he was the next month at the NFL Scouting Combine. His 4.47 40-yard dash and 2.55 20-yard split showed he had both short and long speed as a runner. He also showed off his explosiveness with a 37-inch vertical and 10'3" broad jump.

One team that noticed Hull was the Colts. The Colts stayed in contact with the former Wildcats' running back throughout the process. They spoke with him at the Combine, and Colts' running backs coach DeAndre Smith met with Hull after his pro day.

"I would say I had a pretty good established relationship with the running back coach, Coach Smith," Hull revealed. "That’s really where it started honestly. He was one of the first coaches to have a Zoom call with me right after my pro day. We had a great talk at the (NFL) Combine and I could just tell he’s a coach that I want to play for. He’s had a lot of experience in the league and I could tell he’s got a genuineness to him. So, we hit it off right away."

With the pre-draft process in the rearview mirror, it was time for the draft. The first and second days went by without Hull hearing his name called. He had to stay patient to find out if a team would take a chance on him.

As Day 3 began, the fourth and most of the fifth round went by, and Hull still did not hear anything. But as the fifth round was coming to a close, Hull received a call from a 317 area code. The Colts were taking him with the No.176 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

At a glance, it seems Hull does not have a good chance to contribute to the Colts right away. With Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss established as the top two running backs, it could be tough for him to break into the rotation. However, Hull brings a different skill set than those two.

Hull was arguably the best receiving back in the entire draft. While Taylor and Moss can certainly catch the ball out of the backfield, they do not possess the type of sure hands and route running as Hull. He is a true dual-threat running back and could see plenty of work on third down.

As a runner, Hull is very balanced and keeps his feet underneath him. He tends to be a one-cut runner, able to turn on the jets and hit another gear when he sees an opening. He will add nice depth to the running back room.

Hull can also contribute on special teams. He returned kicks at Northwestern during his final season and will likely play special teams on the Colts. Having special teams ability will help ensure Hull has a role early as he settles into the NFL.

The Colts lost a true receiving threat at the running back position when they traded away Nyheim Hines. It was a priority for head coach Shane Steichen to add that threat back into the offense this offseason. With Hull now in the fold, Steichen will look to get him involved in the passing game and as a change-of-pace back for the offense.

He may not have a prominent role right away, but Hull has a chance to be a solid piece on the Colts' offense. Patience is needed as he carves out a role, but patience is something Hull has needed his entire career.

And it has served him well every step of the way.