Jamin Davis featured in the first round of ESPN's latest 2021 NFL Mock Draft

Photo by UK Athletic

ESPN’s Todd McShay is a big fan of former Kentucky star linebacker Jamin Davis.

In the popular football analyst’s latest 2021 NFL Mock Draft released late Thursday evening, the standout linebacker was featured in the first round, coming in at No. 32 overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“Tampa Bay can replenish a front seven that could look a lot different in Week 1 than it did on Super Bowl Sunday. Davis could potentially be considered a reach here, but he’s very underrated, and I love his tape,” McShay said of the former Wildcat. “If the Buccaneers can’t hang on to Lavonte David, Davis — who made 102 tackles and picked off three passes last season — could slide into his role alongside Devin White.”

“The inside linebackers are the stars of Todd Bowles’ defense. David is a free agent and just turned 31, and even if Tampa Bay brings him back, Davis could make sense for the future,” ESPN’s Jenna Laine added. “He can line up in different spots, which Bowles asks his inside guys to do, and he gives the Bucs length that they lack there.”

Davis has been a growing star of the pre-draft process, regularly finding himself in the first and second rounds of mock drafts alongside fellow UK defensive standout Kelvin Joseph.

In recent weeks, NFL Draft expert Matt Miller projected Joseph to go No. 23 overall to the New York Jets in his latest mock draft, followed by Davis at No. 26 overall to the Cleveland Browns.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper listed Joseph as the fourth-best available cornerback in the class and the No. 25 player overall, while NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah had both Davis (No. 35 overall) and Joseph (No. 42) listed as top-50 draft prospects in his latest update.

Needless to say, both Davis and Joseph are going to hear their names called quite early in April’s NFL Draft.