The Long County Blue Tide athletics program have had one first round draft pick in their history. They may soon have their second in the coming weeks in the form of University of Kentucky linebacker Jamin Davis.
Davis had a breakout year for the Wildcats during the 2020 season, recording over 100 tackles and three interceptions, one of which he returned 85 yards for a touchdown. He was a 1st Team All-SEC selection and helped the Wildcats defeat North Carolina State in the Gator Bowl.
All of these accolades had earned Davis a fourth round projection in the 2021 NFL Draft at the end of the 2020 college season. However, many experts, including ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr, have ranked him as high as 14 in prospect rankings and at Kentucky’s Pro Day on Wednesday, March 31.
The Pro Day is even more important to prospects this year as the NFL Draft Combine was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Davis took advantage of having many scouts in Lexington as he posted a 42 inch vertical jump, 11 feet broad jump, and 4.37 second 40 yard dash time.
All of those numbers are, so far, the best numbers put out by a linebacker prospect. Davis’s second 40 time of 4.37 seconds is .02 seconds faster than Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons, who has been placed just above Davis in draft rankings for most of the recruiting process.
Davis’s impressive day went viral on Twitter with many impressed with how well he has performed. This is especially notable considering Davis was originally expected to return to Kentucky for his senior season in 2021.
Davis showed his pride in where he came from, giving love to both hometowns Hinesville and Ludowici.
“I hope both Hinesville and Ludowici will be proud (of me)!” Davis said in a Twitter message. “That’s where dreams begin if you believe in yourself.”
Davis now has the opportunity to become the first ever Blue Tide football player to be selected in the NFL Draft and the first Blue Tide athlete to be drafted since Dustin McGowan went 33rd overall to the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2000 MLB Draft. The 2021 NFL Draft takes place April 29 - May 1 in Cleveland, Ohio.