Player Profile Series: LB Ja'Gared Davis

Our player profile series concludes as we take a look at senior linebacker Ja'Gared Davis.

Ja’Gared Davis

Position: Linebacker

Size: 6-1, 235

High School: Crockett (TX)

Classification: Senior

2011 Review: After coming off of an All-American honorable mention season in 2010, Ja’Gared Davis was a stud at linebacker for the Mustangs again last year and was a playmaker in every sense of the word.

Davis created turnovers, terrorized quarterbacks and punished running backs on a consistent basis. Off the edge, Davis was explosive and relentless and teamed up with Taylor Reed to form a dynamic duo on defense.

Davis, who started every game for the Mustangs, wreaked havoc in opposing backfields. Davis recorded 5.5 sacks as well as 12 tackles for loss which was the most on the team. Davis had a number of great games including an 11-tackle game against Houston and a nine-tackle game in the BBVA Compass Bowl versus Pitt. However, none of Davis’ games compares with his effort against UTEP.

After getting a spanking-and-a-half by Ryan Tannehill and the Texas A&M Aggie offense, J.G. decided to dish out a spanking of his own. In week two vs. UTEP, he gained national recognition for a dominant performance. Davis recorded eight tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, an interception, three pass breakups, and a forced fumble which he recovered in the end zone for a touchdown, and he was named the National Defensive Player of the Week.

2011 Grade: A

2012 Outlook: J.G. has shined since his freshman year with the Mustangs and looks to finish an amazing collegiate career this year. As a senior, Davis will play next to Taylor Reed again and behind ‘DFW’s Best Athlete’ Margus Hunt. Davis is a key component in what looks to be one of the best front sevens in the conference.

As far as his game, there aren’t too many things that Davis can’t do effectively. Davis can tackle, rush the quarterback, read blocks, and drop back into coverage all with speed and fluidity. Now his main focus is improving his draft stock and proving to NFL scouts that his game can transition to the next level.

Davis will also have the task of assisting the younger players on the SMU defense such as sophomore standout Stephon Sanders, who looks to start this year on the strong side.

Barring injury, Davis should have another stellar season for the Mustangs and can be one of the elite linebackers in the conference. If Hunt lives up to expectations and dominates offensive linemen like he did at Pittsburgh, that will make it even easier for Davis to ravage opponents and who knows what kind of numbers Davis could produce.

J.G. is looking to put the final touches on a legacy that he’ll leave on the Hilltop and all indications point toward him doing just that.