Davis Cheek
{{Short description|American football player (born 1999)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Davis Cheek
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| current_team =
| number = 4, 17
| position = Quarterback
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1999|2|26|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Matthews, North Carolina, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 217
| high_school = David W. Butler
(Matthews, North Carolina)
| college = Elon (2017–2021)
| undraftedyear = 2022
| pastteams =
- Carolina Panthers ({{NFL Year|2022}})*
- New Orleans Breakers ({{USFL Year|2023}})
- Michigan Panthers ({{UFL Year|2024}})*
| highlights =
- CAA Football Offensive Rookie of the Year (2017)
- CAA Football's Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2020)
- Second-team All-CAA (2021)
| pfr = CheeDa00
}}
Davis Cheek (born February 26, 1999) is an American former professional football quarterback. He was a member of the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL), New Orleans Breakers of the United States Football League (USFL), and Michigan Panthers of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Elon.
Cheek is the Elon's second all-time leader in career passing yards (8,548), attempts (1,149), completions (701), touchdown passes (51), and first all-time leader in career completion percentage (66.8%).{{cite web |title=Elon Passing Records |url=https://elonphoenix.com/sports/2020/3/18/record-book-passing-records.aspx |website=elonphoenix.com |publisher=Elon University |access-date=October 21, 2022}}
Early life
Cheek was born on February 26, 1999. He was raised in Matthews, North Carolina, and attended David W. Butler High School.{{Cite web |title=Davis Cheek, Butler , Pro-Style Quarterback |url=https://247sports.com/player/davis-cheek-89089/ |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=247Sports |language=en-US}}
As a junior, Cheek led Butler High to a 9–2 (5–1 in conference) record and a playoff berth while throwing for 2,108 yards and 16 touchdowns, he was named as an all-conference selection.{{Cite web |last=Hemphill |first=Chris |date=August 3, 2016 |title=Chris' QB Corner: Davis Cheek (Butler HS) |url=https://ncpreps.rivals.com/news/chris-qb-corner-davis-cheek-butler-hs- |access-date=October 21, 2022 |website=NCPreps |publisher=Rivals.com}}{{Cite web |date=March 21, 2018 |title=Butler High QB Davis Cheek |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article93502167.html |access-date=October 21, 2022 |website=Charlotte Observer}} The team lost to Mallard Creek High School 35–30 in the second round of the playoffs.{{Cite web |title=Butler Football (2015) Schedule |url=https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/matthews/david-w-butler-bulldogs/football/15-16/schedule/ |access-date=October 21, 2022 |website=MaxPreps.com}}
As a senior, Cheek led Butler to an improved 10–1 (6–0 in conference) record, scoring 40+ points in seven out of eleven games that year.{{Cite web |title=Butler Football (2016) Schedule |url=https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/matthews/david-w-butler-bulldogs/football/16-17/schedule/ |access-date=October 21, 2022 |website=MaxPreps.com}} After beginning the playoffs with a home 63–0 win against McDowell High School, Cheek beat Mallard Creek 42–28 after they had beaten Butler earlier in the season. Cheek and Butler's season ended against Julius L. Chambers High School in a 50–49 loss. Cheek rushed for one touchdown and threw for another five, one of which came in overtime to give Butler a 49–42 lead. Chambers scored in response and got the two-point conversion for the win.{{Cite web |title=North Carolina High School Football – Zebulon B. Vance gets by David W. Butler |url=https://www.maxpreps.com/games/12-2-2016/football-16/butler-vs-chambers.htm?c=Yu5jIlH3hEOM-jDT8mOSHQ#tab=recap&schoolid=7737fd46-4279-442d-a19a-fa8519f99804 |access-date=October 21, 2022 |website=MaxPreps.com}}
College career
Cheek played for Elon University (FCS) for five years from 2017 to 2021. During that time, he threw for 8,548 yards passing and 51 touchdowns.
In 2017, Cheek started in all twelve games for Elon, making his debut against Toledo. He earned CAA Football Rookie of the Week and STATS FCS National Freshman of the Week honors after a win over Rhode Island where he threw for 331 yards and three touchdowns.{{Cite web |date=October 23, 2017 |title=Cheek Collects Rookie of the Week Honor |url=https://elonphoenix.com/news/2017/10/22/football-cheek-collects-rookie-of-the-week-honor.aspx?path=football |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=Elon University Athletics |language=en}} He finished the year being named CAA Football Offensive Rookie of the Year and was a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award after he led Elon to an 8–4 record.{{Cite web |date=November 21, 2017 |title=Cheek, Cignetti Headline Elon Postseason CAA Football Honorees |url=https://elonphoenix.com/news/2017/11/20/cheek-cignetti-headline-elon-postseason-caa-football-honorees.aspx |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=Elon University Athletics |language=en}}
In 2018, Cheek started the first six games of the season before tearing his ACL in a game against Delaware.{{Cite web |last=Haley |first=Jack |date=October 17, 2018 |title=Cheek tears ACL, is ruled out for the remainder of season |url=https://www.elonnewsnetwork.com/article/2018/10/cheek-done-for-season-elon-football |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=Elon News Network}} He led the team to a 4–1 record before his injury, including a season-high 286 yards and a game-winning touchdown against No. 2 James Madison in a 27–24 Elon win.{{Cite web |title=Elon vs. James Madison – Game Recap – October 6, 2018 – ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/401029907 |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} Prior to the season Cheek was named to the CFPA FCS National Player of the Year Watch List.{{cite web |title=CFPA Announces 2018 FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy Watch List |url=http://collegefootballperformance.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/CFPA-Announces-2018-FCS-Watch-List-PDF.pdf |website=College Football Performance |access-date=October 20, 2022}}
In 2019, Cheek started all eleven games for Elon, leading the team to a 5–6 record. On homecoming night Cheek and Elon played against Williams & Mary that ended in a 31–29 William & Mary victory after five overtime periods, Cheek threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns in the losing effort including a game tying touchdown pass in fifth overtime.{{Cite web |title=William & Mary vs. Elon – Game Recap – November 2, 2019 – ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/401127093 |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} He finished the year eighth in the CAA for total offense with 194.8 yards per game and seventh in passing yards per game with 197.7.{{Cite web |title=2019 Football – Overall Statistics |url=https://caasports.com/stats.aspx?path=football&year=2019 |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=caasports.com |language=en}}
Prior to the 2020 season, Cheek suffered a season-ending injury prior to the team's spring season.{{Cite web |last=Friedlander |first=Brett |date=October 31, 2017 |title=Phoenix continues to rise in FCS national rankings |url=https://nsjonline.com/article/2017/10/phoenix-continues-to-rise-in-fcs-national-rankings/ |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=The North State Journal |language=en-US}} Despite being out, Cheek was still selected as CAA Football's Scholar-Athlete of the Year.{{Cite web |date=April 21, 2021 |title=Three Phoenix Receive All-CAA Football Accolades; Cheek Named Scholar-Athlete of the Year |url=https://elonphoenix.com/news/2021/4/21/three-phoenix-receive-all-caa-football-accolades-cheek-named-scholar-athlete-of-the-year.aspx |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=Elon University Athletics |language=en}}
In 2021, Cheek started all eleven games in his return from injury, having the best year of his career statistically he led Elon to a 6–5 record including wins over ranked No. 22 Richmond and No. 25 Rhode Island.{{Cite web |title=2021 Elon Football Schedule |url=https://fbschedules.com/2021-elon-football-schedule/ |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=FBSchedules.com |language=en-US}} Cheek opened the season throwing for 312 yards and two touchdown passes in a losing effort against Wofford.{{Cite web |title=Football vs Elon University on 9/4/2021 – Box Score |url=https://woffordterriers.com/sports/football/stats/2021/elon-university/boxscore/8463 |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=Wofford College Athletics |language=en}} After a win against New Hampshire where Cheek threw 328 yards and two touchdowns, he was named National Offensive Player of the Week.{{Cite web |last=Haley |first=Craig |date=October 25, 2021 |title=McNeese, Four Players Collect FCS Week 8 National Awards |url=https://theanalyst.com/2021/10/mcneese-four-players-collect-fcs-week-8-national-awards/ |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=The Analyst |language=en}} He was named as a finalist for the Walter Payton Award.{{Cite web |date=November 22, 2021 |title=Elon: Davis Cheek Named Finalist For Walter Payton Award [Archive] |url=https://www.anygivensaturday.com/archive/index.php/t-288280.html |access-date=November 3, 2022 |website=AnyGivenSaturday.com}}{{Cite web |last=Haley |first=Craig |date=November 22, 2021 |title=25 Finalists Named for 2021 FCS Walter Payton Award |url=https://theanalyst.com/2021/11/stats-perform-announces-25-fcs-finalists-for-2021-walter-payton-award/ |access-date=November 3, 2022 |website=The Analyst |language=en}}
=Statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Season
! colspan="1"| Games ! colspan="8"| Passing ! colspan="4"| Rushing | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | Comp | Att | Pct | Yards | Avg | TD | Int | Rate | Att | Yards | Avg | TD | |
| colspan="14" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Elon Phoenix}}" | Elon Phoenix | |||||||||||||
| 2017
| 12 || 190 || 323 || 58.8 || 2,431 || 7.5 || 15 || 8 || 132.42 || 67 || 85 || 1.3 || 2 | |||||||||||||
| 2018
| 6 || 79 || 120 || 65.8 || 1,018 || 8.5 || 4 || 2 || 144.8 || 16 || −20 || −1.3 || 1 | |||||||||||||
| 2019
| 11 || 179 || 309 || 57.9 || 2,175 || 7.0 || 15 || 6 || 129.2 || 70 || −32 || −0.5 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2020
| colspan="13" | {{abbr|DNP|Did not play (Injured)}} | |||||||||||||
| 2021
| 11 || 253 || 396 || 63.9 || 2,926 || 7.4 || 17 || 5 || 137.5 || 71 || 113 || 1.6 || 3 | |||||||||||||
| [https://elonphoenix.com/sports/football/roster/davis-cheek/8014 Career] | 40 | 701 | 1,149 | 61.0 | 8,548 | 7.4 | 51 | 21 | 135.98 | 224 | 147 | 0.7 | 6 |
Professional career
{{nfl predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 1+7/8
| weight = 216
| dash = 4.88
| ten split = 1.71
| twenty split = 2.78
| shuttle = 4.39
| cone drill = 7.35
| vertical = 33
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 7
| bench =
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 31+7/8
| hand span = 9+3/4
| note = All values from Elon pro-day.{{cite web |title=Davis Cheek – QB – Elon – 2022 Draft Prospect |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1026106&DraftYear=2022 |website=draftscout.com |access-date=October 21, 2022}}
}}
=Carolina Panthers=
After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL draft, Cheek was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Kisamore |first=Jacob |date=April 30, 2022 |title=Former Elon University quarterback Davis Cheek signed by Carolina Panthers |url=https://www.elonnewsnetwork.com/article/2022/05/former-elon-university-quarterback-davis-cheek-signed-by-carolina-panthers |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=Elon News Network}}{{Cite web |last=Noble |first=Kole |date=July 2, 2022 |title='The last place I expected to be': Davis Cheek reflects on journey from Elon to the NFL |url=https://www.elonnewsnetwork.com/article/2022/07/davis-cheek-reflects-on-journey-from-elon-to-the-nfl |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=Elon News Network}} He was waived by the team on July 12, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=July 12, 2022 |title=Panthers waive Davis Cheek |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/panthers-waive-davis-cheek |access-date=December 14, 2024 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Rizzuti |first=Anthony |date=July 12, 2022 |title=Panthers waive QB Davis Cheek after making Baker Mayfield trade official |url=https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2022/07/12/panthers-waive-qb-davis-cheek-baker-mayfield-trade/ |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=Panthers Wire|publisher=USA Today |language=en-US}} On October 3, 2022, Cheek entered the first session of the 2022 NFL Alumni Academy.{{Cite web |title=Davis Cheek {{!}} NFL Academy |url=https://nflalumniacademy.com/players/current/davis-cheek |access-date=November 4, 2022 |website=nflalumniacademy.com}}
On October 8, 2022, Cheek signed a contract with the XFL for the upcoming 2023 XFL season.{{Cite web |last=Rifino |first=Patrick |date=October 8, 2022 |title=Former Hawaii QB Cole McDonald & Elon's Davis Cheek Signed to XFL Contracts |url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/former-hawaii-qb-cole-mcdonald-elons-davis-cheek-signed-to-xfl-contracts/ |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=XFL News Hub |language=en-us}}
On December 6, 2022, Cheek re-signed with the Carolina Panthers' practice squad.{{Cite web |last=Rizzuti |first=Anthony |date=December 6, 2022 |title=Panthers make additions to active roster, practice squad on Tuesday |url=https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2022/12/06/panthers-sign-tj-carrie-davis-cheek/ |access-date=December 9, 2022 |website=Panthers Wire |publisher=USA Today}}
=New Orleans Breakers=
On January 14, 2023, Cheek signed with the New Orleans Breakers of the United States Football League (USFL).{{Cite web |last=Rifino |first=Patrick |date=January 15, 2023 |title=XFL Hopeful Davis Cheek Signs with USFL's New Orleans Breakers |url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/xfl-hopeful-davis-cheek-signs-with-usfls-new-orleans-breakers/ |access-date=January 16, 2023 |website=XFL News Hub |language=en-us}} The Breakers folded when the XFL and USFL merged to create the United Football League (UFL).{{Cite web |last=Seifert |first=Kevin |date=January 1, 2024 |title=Newly formed United Football League sets 8 markets, tabs coaches |url=https://www.espn.com/xfl/story/_/id/39222541/newly-formed-united-football-league-sets-8-markets-tabs-coaches |access-date=January 15, 2024 |website=ESPN.com}}
= Michigan Panthers =
On January 5, 2024, Cheek was selected by the Michigan Panthers during the 2024 UFL dispersal draft.{{cite tweet |number=1743412994485157889 |user=JamesLarsenPFN |title=BREAKING: The Michigan Panthers selected QB Davis Cheek, and RB Wes Hills during the #USFL Dispersal Draft today, per source. |first=James |last=Larsen |date=January 5, 2024 |access-date=January 5, 2024}} He was placed on the retired list on March 18, 2024.{{cite news |title=UFL Player Transactions, Monday March 18, 2024 |url=https://uflboard.com/news/ufl-player-transactions-monday-march-18-2024/ |website=UFLBoard.com |date=March 18, 2024 |access-date=March 19, 2024}}
Personal life
Cheek is the son of Eric Cheek and Monica Steed.{{Cite web |title=Davis Cheek – Football |url=https://elonphoenix.com/sports/football/roster/davis-cheek/8014 |access-date=October 20, 2022 |website=Elon University Athletics |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Callihan |first=Schuyler |date=December 7, 2022 |title=Panthers Add a Quarterback to the Practice Squad |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/panthers/gm-report/panthers-add-qb-davis-cheek-to-the-practice-squad |access-date=December 9, 2022 |website=SI.com}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://elonphoenix.com/sports/football/roster/davis-cheek/8014 Elon Phoenix bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cheek, Davis}}
Category:Players of American football from Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
Category:People from Matthews, North Carolina
Category:American football quarterbacks
Category:Elon Phoenix football players
Category:Carolina Panthers players