Interview: 3-Star 2020 DB Jayden Davis Further Showcased Skills on Offense for Bishop O’Dowd
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
After a breakout junior season with Bishop O’Dowd, Jayden Davis took his game to a whole other level during his senior season proving he is just scratching the surface of his abilities on the field. His junior year ended as an outside linebacker/safety hybrid filling the stat sheet with 85 tackles, 48 solo, five tackles for a loss, three sacks, and one fumble recovery. The 6-2, 195-pound, standout posted an estimated defensive stat line of 85 stops, about 60 solo, with two picks in 2019 and put his athletic skills to the test for the first time on offense. Lining up as that bruising back and receiver willing to go anywhere on the field to move the chains, Davis finished with 1,098 all-purpose yards and 10 total touchdowns earning first team All-League honors at running back and as a defensive back.
With six offers on the table from Air Force, Army, Dixie State, Navy, Nevada, and South Dakota, I sat down with Davis for an update on his senior year on the field and the programs showing interest as National Signing Day draws near.
*Click link for June 2019 RNG interview with Jayden Davis
Interview
Jayden, you did just about everything during your senior season making an impact in all three phases of the game. What was your preparation like during the week to get ready for all the roles you took on in 2019?
“My preparation, I had to know the offense and defense; I had to know everything. I had to be a leader to help my team win games. I did a lot of film study on both ends. Playing both ways helped me figure out what I can do better on both sides. On defense, it helped my reads. On offense, it helped my reads seeing the defense knowing what they were trying to do.”
You were playing receiver, running back, safety, and returning kicks, am I missing any positions played during your senior year?
“I played some corner in a couple of games.”
How did your game improve on offense throughout the 2019 run?
“I did a lot of film study on offense and I watched a lot film on guys to get better. I had never played offense before. I improved as time went on. I was more comfortable going both ways and making a big impact for my team. I was big on getting yards after contact and allowing just one person taking me down. If one person was there, I was getting past them.”
What about on defense? How did you take your game to another level on that side of the ball?
“On defense, this offseason I focused on reading quicker. I was able to come up quick and make tackles quicker than before. My back pedal was quicker too.”
Which game was your best overall?
“My best overall game was against Piedmont. I made a lot of tackles and helped my team get the victory in that one. I had three touchdowns; I contributed a lot in that game.”
I know you have the six offers, but which schools are showing interest as we near National Signing Day?
“UNLV, Colorado State, Eastern Washington, and Washington State are showing interest.”
Going into the classroom, what is your cumulative GPA?
“My cumulative GPA is a 3.1.”
What did you score on the ACT and/or SAT?
“I scored a 1090 on the SAT.”
With the offseason here, what are you doing in your football workouts?
“I am working out with my 7v7 coach. I am working on getting bigger and faster. I am working on everything to get ready for the next level. I am working on my strength, speed, and agility. I want to make better cuts and quicker reads.”
Jayden, thanks for your time today and good luck with your workouts and with your recruiting process.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Bishop O’Dowd HS; Jayden Davis in the open-field (2019)