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Teammates can no longer joke he's big enough to play linebacker after his weight pushed past 230 pounds last year. These days, he has slimmed down to 215 on his 6-foot-2 frame.
''You feel better when you look in the mirror, first of all,'' Evridge said. ''That's always a good thing. I got a little big when I first got here (transferring from Kansas State in 2006). I never was exposed to protein (shakes).
''I was trying to save money and drink some protein and it kind of built up on me, then I never really worked enough to get it off. It's nice to finally get that shed.''
Evridge may have dropped a few pounds in the offseason, but he also picked up something significant. He completed his biggest pass to date when he married Stacey Spiegelberg Jan. 12 at a ceremony in Kansas City, Mo.
That's a lot to juggle right now with school, football and a wife.
''Right now, the school and football and all that, there's a lot going on,'' Evridge said. ''But the wife part is awesome.
''We were long distance for a year and a half. She played volleyball at Kansas State. It's a lot better going home and seeing her than calling her on the phone. From that standpoint, it's been great.''
Evridge is not sure if his new support system at home will pay dividends when it comes to football. So far, he just knows he got a lot of cool new stuff for wedding presents and he's living in a nicer place.
''I've always been a fairly grounded person,'' he said. ''I think it's better from the standpoint, if you need to cut loose or anything, she's right there, instead of (talking) over the phone. That will definitely be a good outlet. Just your best friend there to have fun with.''
As a former Division I student-athlete, Stacey also has a perspective on the demands that go along with that. She even tried watching game tapes with Allan, to see what that was like, but didn't last very long.
''She's somebody to talk to,'' Evridge said. ''She doesn't really pry. If I want to talk to her (about football), I'll talk to her. Mainly, she has got to meet the guys and interact with the players. She'll ask, 'How's (sophomore center John) Moffitt doing?' ''
Evridge, who is in a battle with junior Dustin Sherer for the starting job, has also let his personality show more in practice, while becoming more vocal.
After a close competition in fall camp last year, Evridge lost out on the starting job to senior Tyler Donovan. Evridge didn't think it was his place to make waves, so he backed off a bit. That might have impacted him on the few chances he got to play, since he did not look sharp. This spring he can just be himself.
''Last year, after the decision was made, I tried to help Tyler out,'' Evridge said. ''That was more my role than to be a vocal leader. I'd say stuff, if I ever did need to be the rah-rah guy. Now, I'm just more myself and more a leadership-type role; just more experience knowing the guys, that helps as well.
''It's a lot more natural right now. It's definitely me. That's been fun. It's definitely nice being able to be yourself.''
Evridge had one of his best days of the spring during Saturday's scrimmage, getting in a good rhythm and looking comfortable. He led the No. 1 offense on two long touchdown drives, starting at the 3- and 20-yard lines, against the No. 1 defense.
But the lengthy scrimmage ended on a downer for him, with an ill-advised throw in the red zone on third-and-17 that should have been intercepted by strong safety Jay Valai, who dropped the ball. That's the kind of lapse that continues to plague Evridge.
''Those plays kill you,'' offensive coordinator Paul Chryst said. ''Allan did some good things. The whole thing is consistency. It's great putting yourselves in situations. You've got to play within the situation.''
Evridge has a better grasp of the offense now and seems to have improved his study habits as well.
''You'd like to think, after a full year in the offense, he knows it more,'' Chryst said. ''Last year, he was thinking he knew it, but didn't quite know it as well as he needed to. Now, he's progressing, but still has work to do. It's important to him and he spends time at it. I think he is getting better.''
But consistency remains the biggest issue with Evridge.
''Allan did some good things (Saturday),'' Chryst said. ''The other day was probably his worst day. The thing the guys have got to understand, this scrimmage day is no more important than two days ago.
''Who's to say whatever rep it is, is not going to be the one rep that puts you over the edge? Boy, the light comes on and you get it. Don't make too much that it happened this day or the other day. Overall, you've got to play consistent.''
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