First Team All-State and Newcomer of the Year for overlooked Arkansas 2026 WR Champ Davis
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Leaving his home state of Nebraska transferring to Greenwood High School in Arkansas, Champ Davis had everything to prove during his junior year and did it. Leaving the comforts of home and all the familiar surroundings, Davis (5-10, 181) took the Natural State by storm, helping his Bulldogs to a perfect season (13-0). Along the way, Davis kept scoreboard keepers in the 6A classification busy credited with 24 total touchdowns.
No matter the state or classification, it is a hard road to a title, but Davis and the Bulldogs made it look easy. With the unique perspective of playing high school football in two different states, Davis broke down the differences.
“I think the difference is, with Nebraska football there are more athletic people,” Davis stated. “Here in Arkansas, the physicality is a lot more from the linebackers to corners, defensive backs and defensive linemen, and on the offensive line. It is more physical here. I think there are more athletes in Nebraska, but there is not too big of a difference.”
Hauling in 85 passes for 1,269 yards with 21 receiving scores, seemingly every game Davis played would be someone else’s best. Tragedy would bring out the best in Davis and the Bulldogs.
“I think the best game for me was against Southside after losing our friend Isaiah (Arrington),” Davis shared. “We didn’t practice on Wednesday. It was hard to do the walkthrough on Thursday. Come game-time, that took my mind off it. I felt free. I played really hard, the best that I have played. I made some really good catches. I think that is the best we played as a team in total.”
Champ Davis at Nebraska (2024).
Arkansas competition helped make Davis better overall.
“My biggest gain was with my confidence,” Davis stated. “During my sophomore year, I had a good confidence but when I moved here, I knew it would be different. I knew I had to take it more seriously. I wasn’t used to Arkansas, but I did something every day to improve my game. I studied the playbook. Once I got the plays down, I was with the starters, then we started grinding, and I made a really good connection with everyone.”
Davis added, “One thing is my strength. I can take a hit, and I can deliver some hits. I can also make people miss. My hands, I catch the ball really well. My route running is good. I don’t think anyone in Arkansas can guard me.”
Hard to imagine an even better version of Davis, but the 2025 rollout will level up.
“One thing I want to accomplish this offseason is going into next season five to 10 pounds heavier with muscle,” Davis shared. “I am working on getting faster; I am working with my coach on my speed. I want to get my weight up and get faster.”
Speed training will be reinforced working with the Bulldogs’ track team.
“I am going to run track,” Davis stated. “I will run the 100, 200, 4×1, and 4×4.”
The Cornhuskers know about Davis’s talents, and the rest of the college football world is now catching up.
“I have interest from Northwestern, Kansas State, Iowa State, Missouri; they are hitting me hard right now,” Davis said. “There are others like Kansas, Wyoming, Ole Miss, and Iowa.”
Saturdays this fall were spent with Kansas State, Nebraska, and Ole Miss.
The experience in Oxford was covered by Harris, “It went really well. I went with (2026 OL) Cody Taylor. The experience was amazing. I love SEC football. They played Kentucky; we waited afterwards. I spoke with their receivers coach, but I didn’t get to meet Lane Kiffin.”
Going back home was a great time for Harris.
“That went well,” Harris shared. “I talked to most of the coaches each time I go there. It was a great experience. They show a lot of love. I feel like they treat me like one of their players; I have great conversations with them. I know a lot of the guys on the team, I got to catch up with them.”
The travel schedule for 2025 hasn’t been set, but ideal visits were shared, “Arkansas for sure because I live here now, Oklahoma, Miami, USC, and some SEC schools.”
The powers that be in the Natural State appreciated Davis’s abilities so that they named him first team All-State and Newcomer of the Year. In addition to his 1,200-plus receiving yards, Davis also had a 99-yard pick-six, and returned two kicks for 115 yards and 10 punts for 206.
In the classroom, Davis carries a 4.3 GPA and was ranked 23rd academically out of 400 students at Omaha North.
Photo credit: Davis family; Champ Davis and Cody Taylor at Ole Miss (2024); Champ Davis at Nebraska (2024).
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