Jamin Davis
{{Short description|American football player (born 1998)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Jamin Davis
| image = Jamin Davis WFT-Bucs NOV2021 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Davis with the Washington Football Team in 2021
| current_team = New York Jets
| number = 52
| position = Linebacker
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1998|12|12}}
| birth_place = Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lb = 234
| high_school = Long County {{nowrap|(Ludowici, Georgia)}}
| college = Kentucky (2017–2020)
| draftyear = 2021
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 19
| pastteams =
- Washington Football Team / Commanders ({{NFL Year|2021|2024}})
- Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|2024}})*
- Minnesota Vikings ({{NFL Year|2024}})
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2024}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
| statseason = 2024
| statweek = 17
| statlabel1 = Tackles
| statvalue1 = 283
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 8
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 2
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 2
| statlabel5 = Pass deflections
| statvalue5 = 6
| statlabel6 = Interceptions
| statvalue6 = 1
| pfr = DaviJa11
}}
Jamin Davis ({{IPAc-en|dʒ|eɪ|m|ɪ|n}} {{respell|JAY|men}}; born December 12, 1998) is an American professional football linebacker for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kentucky Wildcats and was drafted by the Washington Football Team in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft. Davis played defensive end with Washington in 2024 before being released midway through the season.
Early life
The son of U.S. Army parents, Davis was born on a military base in Honolulu on December 12, 1998.{{Cite news |last=Jhabvala |first=Nicki |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Jamin Davis began last season off the NFL's radar. In a few weeks, he could be a first-round pick. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/04/09/jamin-davis-nfl-draft-prospect-linebacker/ |access-date=April 30, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{Cite web |last=The NFL Draft Bible |title=Jamin Davis – Inside Linebacker Kentucky Wildcats Scouting Report |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/scouting-reports/jamindavis |access-date=April 30, 2021 |website=SI.com|date=April 7, 2021 }} His family moved to Hinesville, Georgia, when he was a year old, with Davis later attending Long County High School in Ludowici, Georgia.{{Cite web |date=January 13, 2017 |title=UK football announces seven mid-year Wildcats |url=https://www.wymt.com/content/sports/UK-football-announces-seven-mid-year-Wildcats-410659135.html |access-date=February 17, 2021 |website=WYMT.com}} Playing linebacker and wide receiver for their football team, Davis compiled 131 tackles as a junior and 126 more as a senior while also catching three touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Rowland |first=Justin |date=December 2, 2016 |title=SCOUTING THE COMMITS: Linebacker Jamin Davis |url=https://kentucky.rivals.com/news/scouting-the-commits-linebacker-jamin-davis |access-date=February 17, 2021 |website=Rivals.com}}
College career
A three-star prospect, Davis committed to play college football for the Kentucky Wildcats.{{Cite web |last=Riddle |first=Mikee |date=July 6, 2016 |title=Long linebacker commits to Kentucky |url=https://coastalcourier.com/sports/long-linebacker-commits-to-kentucky/ |access-date=February 17, 2021 |website=Coastal Courier}} He redshirted as a freshman in 2017 and played mostly on special teams in 2018, also recording an interception as a reserve player.{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=Jon |date=March 29, 2018 |title=Jamin Davis out 3–4 weeks with knee injury, dealing another blow to Kentucky football LB depth |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2018/03/29/jamin-davis-out-3-4-weeks-knee-injury-dealing-another-blow-kentucky-football-lb-depth/461670002/ |access-date=February 17, 2021 |website=The Courier-Journal}}{{Cite web |date=August 2, 2019 |title=Inside linebackers form a strong core for Kentucky football's defense |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2019/08/02/kentucky-football-2019-inside-linebackers-preview/1801258001/ |access-date=February 17, 2021 |website=The Courier-Journal}} He followed with 32 tackles in 2019 before being named as a starter for the 2020 season, where he led the team in tackles with 102 and also recorded 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and three interceptions, one of which he returned 85 yards for a touchdown.{{Cite web |date=September 11, 2020 |title=Awful circumstances have Kentucky reserve in position for breakout season in 2020 |url=https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-football/article245609445.html |access-date=February 17, 2021 |website=Lexington Herald Leader}}{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Josh |date=February 8, 2021 |title=UK star is chasing the NFL. When his playing days are done, could NASCAR be next? |url=https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-football/article248905154.html |access-date=February 17, 2021 |website=Lexington Herald Leader}}
=Statistics=
| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||
| Season
!Games ! Tackles | Solo | {{abbr|Ast|Assisted tackles}} | {{abbr|TFL|Tackles for loss}} | Sacks | {{abbr|Int|Interceptions}} | {{abbr|FF|Forced fumbles}} | {{abbr|FR|Fumble recoveries}} | {{abbr|TD|Touchdowns}} |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017
| colspan="10" |Redshirted | ||||||||
| 2018
|7 |10 |6 |4 |0 |0 |1 |0 |0 |0 | ||||||||
| 2019
|8 |32 |12 |20 |1 |1 |1 |0 |0 |0 | ||||||||
| 2020
|10 |102 |48 |54 |4 |1.5 |3 |1 |0 |1 | ||||||||
| Career{{Cite web |title=Jamin Davis College Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jamin-davis-1.html |access-date=May 17, 2021 |website=Sports-Reference.com}}
!25 !144 !66 !78 !5 !2.5 !5 !1 !0 !1 |
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 3 1/2
| weight = 234
| dash = 4.47
| ten split = 1.53
| twenty split = 2.61
| vertical = 42
| broad ft = 11
| broad in = 0
| bench = 21
| arm span = 33
| hand span = 9 1/2
| note = All values from Kentucky's Pro Day{{Cite web |title=Jamin Davis Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jamin-davis/32004441-5642-8592-9936-07896f5591cc |access-date=November 21, 2021 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=Jamin Davis, Kentucky, ILB, 2021 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1023043&DraftYear=2021 |access-date=November 21, 2021 |website=draftscout.com}}{{Cite web |title=Jamin Davis 2021 NFL Draft Profile |url=https://insider.espn.com/nfl/draft/player/_/id/105250 |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=insider.espn.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425144053/https://insider.espn.com/nfl/draft/player/_/id/105250 |archive-date=April 25, 2023 }}
}}
=Washington Football Team / Commanders=
Davis was selected by the Washington Football Team in the first round (19th overall) of the 2021 NFL draft.{{Cite news |last=Jhabvala |first=Nicki |title=Kentucky LB Jamin Davis taken by Washington Football Team at No. 19 in draft |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/04/29/washington-football-team-draft-jamin-davis-kentucky/ |access-date=April 30, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 13, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Stackpole |first=Kyle |date=May 13, 2021 |title=Washington Signs 2021 Draft Class |url=https://www.washingtonfootball.com/news/washington-2021-draft-class-signs-contracts |access-date=May 13, 2021 |website=WashingtonFootball.com}} Davis took over as the starting middle linebacker over Cole Holcomb, who suffered an injury, in the Week 10 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. In it, he recovered a fumble that put the Commanders in position to kick a field goal in a victory over the Eagles.{{Cite web |last=Lichtenstein |first=Hannah |date=November 19, 2022 |title=Wake Up Washington Jamin Davis wearing the green dot against Eagles is "huge" step in leadership, development |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/wake-up-washington-jamin-davis-wearing-the-green-dot-against-eagles-is-huge-step |access-date=December 4, 2022 |website=Commanders.com}}{{Cite web |last=Selby |first=Zach |date=November 15, 2022 |title=5 takeaways from the Commanders' upset win on Monday Night Football |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/5-takeaways-from-the-commanders-eagles-upset-win-on-monday-night-football |access-date=November 16, 2022 |website=Commanders.com}} He was placed on injured reserve on January 7, 2023, finishing the season with a team-leading 104 tackles, two fumble recoveries, and three sacks.{{Cite web |last=Selby |first=Zach |date=January 7, 2023 |title=Commanders place Jamin Davis on IR, activate Armani Rogers and downgrade Kam Curl to OUT |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-place-jamin-davis-on-ir-activate-armani-rogers-and-downgrade-kam-curl |access-date=January 7, 2023 |website=Commanders.com}}
On April 25, 2024, the Commanders declined the fifth-year option on Davis' contract.{{cite web|title=Report: The Washington Commanders are not picking up Jamin Davis's fifth-year option|url=https://www.hogshaven.com/2024/4/25/24139990/report-the-washington-commanders-are-not-picking-up-jamin-daviss-fifth-year-option|work=Hogs Haven|publisher=SB Nation|date=April 25, 2024}} He moved to defensive end in the offseason.{{cite web |last1=Harrison |first1=David |title=Washington Commanders Jamin Davis Growing in New Role With Help of New Teammates |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/commanders/news/washington-commanders-jamin-davis-growing-new-role-with-help-new-teammates-dorance-armstrong |website=SI.com |access-date=28 July 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Selby |first1=Zach |title=Commanders announce initial 53-man roster for 2024 season |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-announce-initial-53-man-roster-for-2024-season |website=Commanders.com |access-date=27 August 2024}} Davis was released on October 22.{{cite web|url=https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-release-de-jamin-davis-among-multiple-roster-moves|work=Commanders.com|title=Commanders release DE Jamin Davis among multiple roster moves|date=October 22, 2024|accessdate=October 22, 2024|first=Zach|last=Selby}} He appeared in five of seven games and recorded 12 tackles.{{cite web |last1=Keim|first1=Josh |title=Commanders release DE Jamin Davis, 1st-round pick in 2021|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/41947175/commanders-release-former-first-round-pick-de-jamin-davis|website=ESPN.com|date=October 22, 2024|accessdate=October 22, 2024}}
=Green Bay Packers=
On October 29, 2024, Davis was signed to the Green Bay Packers practice squad.{{Cite web |title=Packers announce roster moves {{!}} Oct. 29, 2024 |url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-announce-roster-moves-oct-29-2024 |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=Packers.com |language=en-US}}
=Minnesota Vikings=
Davis signed with the Minnesota Vikings on November 26, 2024, after an injury to Ivan Pace Jr.{{cite web|title=Vikings Place Ivan Pace on IR; Sign Former Commanders LB Jamin Davis|url=https://www.vikings.com/news/ivan-pace-injured-reserve-jamin-davis-signed|author=Peters, Craig|website=Vikings.com|date=November 26, 2024}} He was released on December 28.
=New York Jets=
On December 31, 2024, Davis was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets.{{Cite web|title=Jets Sign K Greg Joseph, Claim DL Phidarian Mathis & LB Jamin Davis|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-sign-greg-joseph-claim-phidarian-mathis-jamin-davis|access-date=January 1, 2025|website=newyorkjets.com|language=en}} On March 19, 2025, Davis re-signed with the Jets on a one-year contract.{{Cite web|title=Jets Re-Sign LB Jamin Davis|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-re-sign-jamin-davis-03-19-2025|access-date=April 4, 2025|website=newyorkjets.com|language=en}}
Personal life
Davis' childhood nickname was "Shadow", named after Shadow from the Sonic the Hedgehog video game franchise. He received the nickname from a close friend and partner in track sprinting nicknamed Sonic, as the two characters are rivals in the franchise.{{Cite web |last=Hailey |first=Peter |title=Washington's Jamin Davis is nicknamed 'Shadow.' Here's why |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/football-team/washington-first-round-pick-jamin-davis-nicknamed-shadow-heres-why |access-date=April 30, 2021 |website=NBC Sports |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430040624/https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/football-team/washington-first-round-pick-jamin-davis-nicknamed-shadow-heres-why |url-status=dead }} Davis majored in community and leadership development at Kentucky and wore 44 as his Wildcats uniform number to honor his grandmother who died at age 44.{{Cite web |title=Jamin Davis – Football |url=https://ukathletics.com/sports/football/roster/jamin-davis/7924 |access-date=April 30, 2021 |website=ukathletics.com|date=August 10, 2017 }} He was interning at an attorney's office in Lexington, Kentucky, prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Davis is a fan of NASCAR, with his favorite driver being Jimmie Johnson.
On March 28, 2022, Davis was cited with his second reckless driving charge after being caught driving 114 miles per hour in Loudoun County Parkway.{{Cite web |last=Keim |first=John |date=July 31, 2023 |title=Judge rejects Commanders LB Jamin Davis' reckless driving plea bargain |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38108372/judge-rejects-commanders-lb-jamin-davis-reckless-driving-plea-bargain |access-date=August 1, 2023 |website=ESPN.com}} On August 1, 2023, Loudoun County district court issued him a guilty verdict, resulting in Davis receiving a 30-day jail sentence, a fine, and a suspension of his driver's license.{{Cite web |last=Fisher |first=Mike |date=August 1, 2023 |title=Commanders' Jamin Davis Sentenced to Jail Time |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/commanders/news/washington-commanders-jamin-davis-sentenced-jail-reckless-driving-training-camp |access-date=August 1, 2023 |website=SI.com}} Davis' case was up for review two days later, but the review was given a continuance to August 31.{{Cite web |date=August 3, 2023 |title=Jamin Davis Reckless Driving Case Continued to August 31, 2023 |url=https://www.loudoun.gov/DocumentCenter/View/176416/08-03-23-Jamin-Davis-Reckless-Driving-Case-Continued-to-August-31-2023?bidId= |website=loudoun.gov}} Davis' appeal was originally set for a jury trial scheduled for March 4, 2024,{{Cite news |last=Jhabvala |first=Nicki |date=August 31, 2023 |title=Jamin Davis's reckless driving case moved to jury trial in March 2024 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/08/31/jamin-davis-jury-trial/ |access-date=September 2, 2023 |work=WashingtonPost.com}} but his appeal was settled three days earlier. On March 1, 2024, in exchange for Davis pleading guilty to reckless driving, he was sentenced to a six-month suspension of his driver's license, a $2,500 fine along with additional court costs, and mandatory community service and avoided a jail sentence.{{cite news|url=https://commanderswire.usatoday.com/2024/03/01/washington-commanders-linebacker-jamin-davis-pleads-guilty-to-reckless-driving-nfl-loudoun-county/|work=USAToday.com|title=Commanders linebacker Jamin Davis pleads guilty to reckless driving|first=Bryan|last=Manning|date=March 1, 2024|accessdate=March 15, 2024}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.newyorkjets.com/team/players-roster/jamin-davis/ New York Jets profile]
- [https://ukathletics.com/sports/football/roster/jamin-davis/7924 Kentucky Wildcats profile]
{{New York Jets roster navbox}}
{{2021 NFL Draft}}
{{CommandersFirstPick}}
{{Washington2021DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Davis, Jamin}}
Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen
Category:American football defensive ends
Category:American football linebackers
Category:Green Bay Packers players
Category:Kentucky Wildcats football players
Category:Minnesota Vikings players
Category:New York Jets players
Category:People from Hinesville, Georgia
Category:People from Long County, Georgia
Category:Players of American football from Georgia (U.S. state)
Category:Players of American football from Honolulu