Redskin Running Back Evan Royster Heads to Seattle

2006 graduate Evan Royster flew to Seattle last night to take on the Seahawks this Sunday with his teammates.

The former Bulldog finished his first week of practice as an official Washington Redskin Friday afternoon after being earlier this week. He said his nine weeks on the helped him prepare for his now active role with the Redskins, and he is ready to contribute when his number is called.

“It’s been good. Every week I’ve been preparing like I’m going to play,” said Royster after Friday’s practice. “It's just a matter of getting in there and practicing, going through the motions and getting it done.”

Washington drafted Royster in the sixth round in 2011 after he became the all-time leading rusher at Penn State with 3,932 yards and 29 touchdowns during his college career. The running back said his experience playing for and Penn State has helped expedite the learning curve in the NFL, considering the Redskins run the same offensive zone-blocking scheme Royster has run behind for the past eight years.

“I think I really fit into this system really well,” Royster said. “It’s the same offense I’ve been running, a little more complicated, but the same one I’ve been running since I was a freshman in high school. I’m used to running the zone scheme, and I can bring the pass protection side of things too.”

Westfield Head Coach Kyle Simmons was the Bulldogs' special teams and linebacker coach during Royster's high school career. He said the running back had extreme talent and could have been an all-star on the defensive side of the ball as well.

“He could have been one of the best linebackers to play here, and he was a heck of a lacrosse player too," said Simmons. “We very rarely have anybody go both ways and we couldn’t afford to get him hurt so he usually played on the offensive side of the ball. But during drills he was such a natural at it.

Although the jump from high school to college football was a big one, Royster said the leap from college to the NFL has been even greater. “You need to do all your thinking before you get on the game field. Once you get out there it’s all reaction and instincts,” he said.

Despite his past accolades and accomplishments in the game of football, Royster has stayed humble. He said it is all about the team and individual accomplishments are not of his concern. He just wants to give this lifetime opportunity everything he has to help the Redskins get back on track.

“To be honest, I haven’t set any individual goals for myself – I want to win. That’s number one on the list and everything else comes later. I’m just excited to get out there and show what I can do.”

Washington (3-7) plays at Seattle (4-6) at 4:05 p.m. EST on Sunday, Nov. 29.

Editor's Note: A previous version of this article did not include comments from Kyle Simmons.