Another National Analyst Hops on the Jamin Davis Hype Train

TOOT! TOOT! All Aboard!

The Jamin Davis Hype Train has left the station. It will be out of control after UK Pro Day and completely unhinged by the time Roger Gooddell takes the podium at the 2021 NFL Draft.

It seems like every day a new NFL Draft guru is falling in love with the former UK linebacker’s tape or hearing praise about the player from NFL front offices. Todd McShay and Daniel Jeremiah are some of the bigger names that believe he could be a first round pick. Jeremiah recency went on a long rant, heaping all kinds of praise on Davis, comparing him to 2018 Rookie of the Year Darius Leonard.

“He looks so much like Darius Leonard when you study him,” Jeremiah said in a conference call with reporters. “You saw the impact that Darius Leonard had as a rookie coming out of the second round. I think this kid is going to find his way in the first round once he gets to the Pro Day and people really have a chance to put their eyes on him. He’s just got some ‘wow’ plays with his range, his ability in pass coverage, you watch the Tennessee game, he’s got an 85-yard pick-six in that game. He covers tight ends all over the field. He’s quick to trigger. He’s got really good eyes. Honestly, I didn’t really know who he was in the fall. Nobody had really said anything to me about him. And then you just go through on tape and this guy just jumps off the screen. I did find out from a couple of buddies in the league, yeah, they weren’t trying to get that one out. But you can’t hide how athletic that kid is. He would be someone I think has legitimate Rookie of the Year type ability that you don’t hear talked about in the top half of the first round.”

Jeremiah sees the Buccaneers and the Browns being the best fit for Davis, rising as high as the first round. Bruce Feldman isn’t ready to say Davis is a first round pick just yet, but he is keeping a close eye on the former Wildcat throughout the pre-draft process.

One of the most intriguing players in this draft is @UKFootball LB Jamin Davis. Had a breakout season in 2020. Has versatility, length, explosiveness and is smart. Should shine at Pro Day. Hearing that NFL folks are getting really excited about him: https://t.co/PL73rMF7pK

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) March 9, 2021

Feldman’s first mock draft for The Athletic includes only first round picks and projections for teams that do not have a day one selection. Davis slides into the second round at No. 57 overall to the L.A. Rams. Davis’ versatility will be a strength when teams like the Rams have multiple needs in the middle of their defense. What one coach inside the business had to say about Davis as a pro prospect:

“People talk about the Missouri linebacker (Nick Bolton) as a first-round possibility. Bolton is a very good player, but he’s just a will. This kid can play all three positions and is a better player. He’s much longer, more instinctive and has shown he’s able to do a lot more schematically and adjustment-wise. There’s a play in their Florida game, where (Kyle) Pitts is on the ball and runs an over route and Davis ran right with him and made it look easy. There’s so much upside with him.”

The upside will only become more tempting once Davis tests in front of scouts at UK Pro Day March 31. After that, there’s no telling where the Jamin Davis Hype Train will stop in the final week of April.

[The Athletic]