First-rounder Davis is ‘role model in today’s transfer culture’

Jamin Davis was on nobody’s draft board a year ago. The linebacker had started just one game in three seasons at Kentucky. He came from Long County, a Georgia high school whose football team hasn’t had a winning season in its history.

In the past few months, Davis made first-team All-SEC and opened eyes at Kentucky’s Pro Day with a 4.47 40-yard dash, 42-inch vertical leap and 11-foot broad jump, then went in the first round Thursday in the NFL draft to the Washington Football Team.

His high school head coach, Eric McNair, couldn’t have been prouder.

’'Jamin is a fantastic role model in today’s transfer culture,’' said McNair, now the offensive coordinator and associate athletic director at Metter. “He stayed the course at Long County despite being an unsuccessful program. He also stayed the course at Kentucky when he didn’t see the field much early in his career. He just kept working. When he got his opportunity, he proved to everyone how great of a talent he is.’'

Davis was a three-star recruit at Long County but made only honorable mention all-state. His team won only one game in 2016, his senior season. He developed slowly at Kentucky, first taking a red-shirt season, then playing as a backup for two seasons.

As a senior, became the Wildcats’ middle linebacker and led the team with 102 tackles in 10 games.

“It doesn’t actually come as a huge shock to me,’' McNair said. “I knew the potential he has and the work ethic and determination. I always knew he would be successful as a player and a person. I can’t say enough about how impressive he is as a man and a player. Very proud of him.’'

McNair said he saw Davis’ potential as a high school player. Davis played in a Class 3A region and was overshadowed by the likes of Richard LeCounte of Liberty County and Stetson Bennett of Pierce County.

None is bigger now.

’'Jamin Davis is and was a great athlete, smart, quick and physical,’' McNair said. “Even more than that he is a great person and teammate. Very Humble, not a talker or look-at-me guy, just a worker with phenomenal talent.’'