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Kentucky LB Jamin Davis got the call from the Washington Football Team and was selected 19th overall in the 2021 NFL draft. He talked to reporters, an told them this was a dream come true. He finally got his shot to start last year, and ran with it. Davis was projected as a mid-round pick last year, but has had a meteoric rise up the boards. He is a high character, athletic freak that Head Coach Ron Rivera and Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio can mold into a major contributor in an already stout defense.
"I'm ready to get straight to work."@jamindavis25 with a message to the DMV! pic.twitter.com/0E3ooy5Tz2
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) April 30, 2021
Getting drafted by Washington:
Jamin Davis says he knew Washington was high on him coming into the draft but this is a "dream come true." Davis says he's ready to get to work
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) April 30, 2021
Jamin Davis is speaking with reporters. Did he know Washington liked him at No. 19?: "Yes I did, but I didn't expect it to happen." He's thrilled.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) April 30, 2021
LB Jamin Davis on being drafted by @WashingtonNFL
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 30, 2021
"It's just an unreal feeling and a dream come true."
"I'm just ready to get to work."
Character:
Davis wanted to show everything about who he was as a person to Washington in previous discussions with the team, both on the field and off.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) April 30, 2021
Jamin Davis said he always dreamed of being able to watch the draft with his family when he got selected.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) April 30, 2021
Draft boards:
Davis has been rising up draft boards for a while now. He said he doesn't really pay attention to all that. He was just hoping that he would get an opportunity to show what he could do. He'll certainly get that chance playing for Rivera and DC Jack Del Rio.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) April 30, 2021
Dream come true:
Davis said playing for Washington is a dream come and it's time to get to work.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) April 30, 2021
Opportunity last year:
Jamin Davis said as soon as he got his opportunity that first game in 2020, he was going to make the most of it.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 30, 2021
"I'm just ready to shown the world who I am."
Declaring for the draft:
Jamin Davis said he didn't even think about the NFL Draft during the season because he was so focused on his collegiate campaign. But once it finished, he sat down with his family and coaches and decided to declare of the draft.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 30, 2021
Ron Rivera/Jack Del Rio:
Jamin Davis said he knew Washington liked him during the draft process but wasn't sure they'd make the pick. Said Ron Rivera "kept it real" when the team called to let him know, just a straightforward chat.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) April 30, 2021
Davis said it means a lot to him to have defensive coaches who have ben there before and improve his skillset.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) April 30, 2021
Davis on Rivera and Del Rio being LBs: "Being able to learn from guys like that should help my game a lot ... to be able to take my game to the next level."
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) April 30, 2021
Chip on his shoulder:
Jamin Davis: It's a surreal feeling... my entire time I played with a chip on my shoulder. I stayed the course and trusted the process.
— John Keim (@john_keim) April 30, 2021
Washington’s defensive line:
Jamin Davis says 'it means the world' to get to play behind Chase Young and the Washington defensive line. Major opportunity
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) April 30, 2021
Davis said he has always looked forward to playing behind a strong defensive line. Now, Davis is playing behind Young, Allen, Payne and Sweat. Safe to say that's about as strong of a defensive front as he could hope for.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) April 30, 2021
NASCAR:
Fun fact: Jamin Davis is a huge NASCAR fan and apparently the WFT was previously coached by some guy named Joe Gibbs who just so happens to own a racing team.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) April 30, 2021
WILD.
Bet on yourself:
Jamin Davis said that his mom told him about "always making a bet on himself."
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) April 30, 2021
He's kept that mentality throughout his time at Kentucky, and it led to him being a first-round pick.
Nickname:
Jamin Davis' nickname is "Shadow" because one of his closest friends from childhood was "Sonic," like the hedgehog. They raced at track practice and Davis played the role of antihero.
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) April 30, 2021