Gators LB Jarrad Davis is starting to get noticed
Tuesday, September 22, 2015 | General, Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Junior linebacker Jarrad Davis isn't known as a headliner.
In his first two seasons, Davis started only twice and missed the final part of last season following knee surgery.
And with Florida's talented secondary and deep defensive line garnering their share of attention, Davis can be overlooked.
I had the pleasure of joining former Florida standouts Max Starks and Ben Troupe on their new Gators podcast at huddlecasts.com on Sunday night to review Florida's 14-9 victory at Kentucky.
Starks and Troupe update their top 11 Gators after each game and in our conversation, I suggested that if Davis wasn't on their list, he should be added.
Davis has a team-leading 24 tackles through three games – matching his career-high set as a freshman in 2013 – and has been spectacular the past two games.
Florida head coach Jim McElwain is a big fan already.
“Isn't he fun to watch? I mean, that play on the speed sweep … he came and shot out of a cannon on that son of a gun,'' McElwain said Monday.
He was referring to a second-and-goal for the Wildcats on the final play of the third quarter. Kentucky trailed 14-3 and was threatening to trim the lead when Davis blew across the line of scrimmage and into the backfield to drop running back Jojo Kemp for a 3-yard loss.
Kentucky had to settle for a field goal.
With linebackers Alex Anzalone (shoulder) and Jeremi Powell (foot) out for Saturday's game against Tennessee, Davis and fellow linebacker Antonio Morrison will be tested even more, and McElwain praised safety Marcus Maye for his performance in filling the void in certain defensive packages at Kentucky after Powell went down.
Davis did draw attention for his play in the East Carolina victory, but more for his takedown of teammate Alex McCalister to preserve the victory than for his career-high 12 tackles.
When a similar situation unfolded on Saturday as cornerback Quincy Wilson intercepted a pass in the final minute, Wilson returned the interception 11 yards before hitting the deck.
“I made the interception and I'm looking for a touchdown,'' Wilson said. “But I heard all the coaches and everyone saying, 'get down.' JD was on his way to get me.”
The way Davis has played the past two games, if you're in his neighborhood, watch out.
He'll likely tackle you.
