“We’re going to Washington!” Those were the words spoken by former Long County Blue Tide and University of Kentucky linebacker Jamin Davis as he was on the phone with the Washington Football Team, who selected him 19th overall in Thursday’s first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Davis, who vaulted himself into stardom with an impressive 2020 college football season, becomes the first ever former Blue Tide player in the NFL and only the third player ever selected in a professional sporting league’s draft. Dustin McGowan and Clay Long were selected in the 2000 and 2007 MLB Drafts.
“It’s a dream come true, being able to represent Long County and Hinesville,” Davis said in one of several post-selection interviews. “I will definitely do my best to do the 912 proud.”
When playing for the Blue Tide from 2013-2016, Davis made himself known around the state of Georgia and the country as well. He was a three-star prospect as well as ranked in top 100 players in Georgia. He hold several records, including being the only Blue Tide player with over 100 tackles in three separate seasons.
Davis took over the starting role at inside linebacker for the Wildcats during the 2020 season and became the only linebacker to record over 100 total tackles and three interceptions. One of those interceptions, Davis returned 85 yards for a touchdown against the Tennessee Volunteers.
Throughout Thursday’s draft, Davis saw many of the people he came to know over the draft process get selected, most notably Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons - selected 12th overall by the Dallas Cowboys. He talked about what was going through his mind during the first eighteen picks before finally getting his phone call from the former Redskins.
“I was sitting there pretty quiet because I didn’t know how everything was going to go, but when my phone started ringing, everything just hit me at one time and I couldn’t hold back the tears,” Davis said.
The next step for Davis is to fly out with his family to meet with Washington head coach Ron Rivera and start the process of transitioning into the NFL.