OVERVIEW
The unquestioned leader of the Seminoles' defense, Davis is certainly proof that "big things come in little packages." Despite looking more like the team manager than the vital cog to the defensive unit, Davis registered 260 tackles and 26.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage while starting his last 37 games at the demanding middle linebacker position.
Despite the team's struggles the last two seasons, it was the defense that helped carry the Seminoles. Davis led a unit that ranked 12th in the nation against the run in 2006, allowing just 92.54 yards per game. With Davis calling defensive signals, the Seminoles also ranked 18th in total defense during his senior season, as opponents averaged 290.85 yards per game. The defense ranked 14th nationally in 2005 (309.23 ypg) and 10th in Division I-A in 2004 (283.83), Davis' first season as a starter.
Davis was rated one of the nation's 10 best linebackers by numerous recruiting services as a senior at Mainland High School. He was ranked fifth nationally by Rivals100.com and was named to the Prep Star Dream Team. He earned USA Today and Super Prep first team All-America honors and was ranked the No. 9 linebacker in the nation by School Sports magazine.
Davis earned a perfect 7.50 rating in Max Emfinger's Top 200 list after he had more than 140 tackles as a senior. He closed out his career with nearly 400 tackles, recording 101 solo stops.
Davis enrolled at Florida State in 2002, choosing the Seminoles over Nebraska, Ohio State, Tennessee and Syracuse. He redshirted that season and was limited to seven games of reserve action the following year due to a shoulder stinger suffered in the Wake Forest game, finishing with five tackles (four solos) and a stop behind the line of scrimmage in 2003.
He did not start the 2004 season opener against Miami, but was in the lineup the rest of the year. Davis delivered 60 tackles (28 solos) with a sack, eight stops for losses and eight pressures. He recovered a fumble and deflected four passes, as he was named the team's Most Improved Linebacker.
In 2005, he started all 13 games, ranking second on the team with 91 tackles (38 solos). He added two sacks, 10.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage and four pressures. He batted down two passes and recovered one fumble. As a senior, Davis was a second-team All-America and first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference pick. He paced Florida State with 109 tackles (57 solos) while making five sacks with eight stops for losses. He recovered one fumble, caused two others and had six pass deflections.
In 45 games at Florida State, Davis started 37 times. He registered 265 tackles (127 solos) with eight sacks for minus-69 yards and ranks 11th in school history with 27.5 stops for losses of 113 yards. He added 15 quarterback pressures with a safety and 12 pass break-ups. He caused two fumbles and recovered three others.
ANALYSIS
Positives: Has a short, pudgy frame, but also shows that low center of gravity and ability to sink his weight and slip under blocks … Has a good feel for blocking schemes and is quick to flow to the ball, especially when moving laterally down the line … Has good balance and foot quickness penetrating the inside gaps to take on the lead blocker and clog the rush lane … Anticipates the pass well, getting good depth in his drops to make plays in front of him … Physical run stopper who is very decisive in his movements … Stays low in pursuit, quickly shedding while knifing into the backfield … Has enough strength in his hand jolt to jam and re-route tight ends and backs in the short area … Has adequate hip snap in his backpedal … Picks up plays quickly, taking them from the chalk board to the playing field with minimal reps … Game-day type of player who might coast a bit in practices but is ready to compete once the whistle sounds … Has the functional leg drive to generate enough of a strong, low charge to prevent single blocks from sealing him off … Has the ability to slip past blocks moving in-line and the open-field acceleration to make some plays on the perimeter (better making plays on the move, as his frame causes him to get absorbed and blocked out by double teams) … Effective wrap-up tackler with the functional pop on contact to stall the ball carrier and bring him down … Is quick to recognize the receiver's route progression and works hard to take away the throwing lanes … When given a free path to the quarterback, he has enough burst to close and disrupt the pocket … Reads keys quickly and takes good angles in attempts to close, using his lateral agility to neutralize the cutback lanes … More of a down-hill type who is better when keeping plays in front of him rather than trying to force the action at the line of scrimmage … Also is effective as a gunner on special teams.
Negatives: Has good leadership qualities, but will try to cut corners to get out of work in the training room and practices … Has problems with the bigger blockers due to his size issues … Needs to dedicate himself to a better nutritional program, as he carries extra girth around his midsection that seems to impact his range and quickness (lacks suddenness) … Needs to do a better job of extending his arms working in tight quarters as he exposes his chest too much, allowing blockers to get their hands on his body to contain … Lacks good hand placement to fend off blocks and can be easily contained once his initial move fails … Gets most of his sacks attacking the clear lanes, as he struggles to take on and shed when bull rushing … Can get a little reckless in his pursuit, over-running ball carriers as he lacks classic stop-and-go action … Gets covered up too much working inside, as he fails to recoil his hands quick enough to counter … Gets good depth in his pass drops, but loses relationship with the receiver outside the short area, as he runs with an awkward, choppy stride (legs are too short to accelerate) … Short size causes problems defending in-line when taking on multiple blockers, as they tend to bounce him around quite a bit … Lacks hands to make the interception, letting the ball into his body too much … The coaching staff cites his leadership ability, but he has had two off-field incidents that might warrant further review of his maturity level … Needs to dedicate more hours in the film and training room to improve some physical deficiencies … Has adequate strength, but it seemed like he spent more time trying to avoid blockers rather than take them on in 2006 (better making plays outside the box than at the line).
Compares To: London Fletcher-Baker, Washington -- This year's linebacker crop is not only short on talent, but short on size … Davis defies logic, as he certainly does not look the part of a football player, but manages to get the job done … Some say he is like former USFL and Carolina Panthers great Sam Mills, but Davis has a long way to go to earn that kind of comparison … He reminds more of Sammy Knight -- a player not blessed with pro football athletic ability, yet made a nice career on sheer desire.
INJURY REPORT
2006: Participated in drills at the Scouting Combine in February despite being listed as a medical exclusion with a knee injury.
AGILITY TESTS
Campus: 4.61 in the 40-yard dash … 394-pound bench press … 534-pound squat … 347-pound power clean … 4.22 20-yard shuttle … 32½-inch vertical jump … 10-foot broad jump … 31¼-inch arm length … 10¼-inch hands … Right-handed … Wears contacts.
Combine: 4.64 in the 40-yard dash … Benched 225 pounds 24 times … 31-inch vertical jump … 8-foot-8 broad jump … 4.37 20-yard shuttle run … 7.28 three cone drill.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Mainland (Daytona Beach, Fla.) High School, playing football for head coach John Maronto … Rated one of the nation's 10 best linebackers by numerous recruiting services as a senior … Ranked fifth nationally by Rivals100.com and was named to the Prep Star Dream Team … Earned USA Today and Super Prep first team All-America honors and was ranked the No. 9 linebacker in the nation by School Sports magazine … Earned a perfect 7.50 rating in Max Emfinger's Top 200 list after he had more than 140 tackles as a senior … Closed out his career with nearly 400 career tackles, recording 101 solo stops and forced seven fumbles as a junior.
PERSONAL
Social Science major … Born Oct. 20, 1983 … Resides in Daytona Beach, Fla.