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Jordan Davis ready to be an every-down ‘problem’ as he returns to Charlotte for Georgia-Clemson
The podium at SEC Media Days isn’t built for someone like Jordan Davis. Regular-sized people like Nick Saban and Kirby Smart stand behind it. No one bigger than Sam Pittman is supposed to be back there. Certainly not a 6-foot-6, 330-pound defensive tackle like Davis who had to hunch to speak into the microphone until he realized he could adjust it.
But after a few minutes of speaking to a couple of hundred sports reporters, Davis felt at ease. He flashed his cheek-to-cheek grin and spoke earnestly about how finding organic Swedish Fish really helped his diet this offseason.
Davis’ size has always been his defining trait. It’s why he earned playing time for Georgia’s defense as a freshman in 2018. He’s the biggest reason why Georgia has led the country in run defense in each of the past two seasons.
His size, mixed with his quickness, is why it was a pleasant surprise when he announced he would be returning to Georgia for his senior season.
In doing so, Davis has been asked to showcase some other skills for the Georgia football program. He’s become an unquestioned leader on the defense and team while also looking to take on a larger role as a pass rusher this season.
To open the 2021 season, he’ll be returning to his hometown of Charlotte to take on Clemson in one of the most anticipated games of the year. It’s a stadium Davis knows quite well, as he used to drive past it on his way to school.
If Georgia wins that game, Davis will be a big reason why.
“It’s definitely exciting, especially being a Charlotte native,” Davis said. “I just want to be able to show the city what I can do. I want to be somebody they can brag about in the city: This kid’s from Charlotte. He went to Georgia. He can do it.”
When Michael Palmieri remembers coaching Davis at Mallard Creek High School, the first thing that came to mind was his size.
Even at a high school that sent players to Florida, Clemson, South Carolina and West Virginia, Davis stood out above the rest.
“His potential is NFL. You can tell that from his size and speed,” Palmieri said. “His strength in the weight room is amazing.”
In recounting the recruitment of Davis this past week, Kirby Smart agreed with Palmieri’s assessment.
“He could bend. He could move. He had quickness,” Smart said. “He was huge. It just left me wondering why more people weren’t on him. We thought he was one of the best players in the country and we recruited him as such. It was easy to see.”
The recruiting industry though did not see things the same way. Davis was a 3-star recruit and rated as the No. 424 overall player in the 2018 recruiting class. Part of the relatively low ranking can be chalked up to the fact that he was seen by some as an offensive tackle. Davis’ 6-foot-6 frame is closer to that of Isaiah Wilson and Ben Cleveland than fellow Georgia defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt.
Palmieri had tried Davis out at the position but ultimately decided his team was better off sticking Davis in the middle of his defense.
Davis also didn’t become a regular starter for Mallard Creek until his senior season. Once inserted into the lineup, he quickly demonstrated why he was a college prospect.
“It got to the point where he became unblockable because of his size,” Palmieri said.
Davis didn’t have to wait nearly as long to make an impact at Georgia. He began seeing the field regularly as a freshman before really emerging as a force on running downs for the Georgia defense as a sophomore in 2019.
Georgia’s linebackers routinely gush about how much easier Davis makes their lives.
“He’s 6-6, I like to call him a big refrigerator in front of me,” linebacker Quay Walker said. “He’s pretty big and not going anywhere. He can run as well, that’s what makes him special to me. I just love to have him in front of me.”
Related: Dan Lanning on Georgia DL Jordan Davis: ‘Jordan just doesn’t get moved’
However, Davis’ size actually worked against him in terms of becoming an every-down player. Smart has consistently made reference to the fact that Davis needs to keep his weight under control.
In the past, he has sometimes ballooned up to 370 pounds, which has made it hard for him to have the kind of conditioning needed to be on the field. Ideally, Davis would love to play at around 310 pounds.
Though Davis’ work ethic has been constantly praised, the defensive tackle loves to eat. To keep his weight in check, he’s had to find ways to eat better and healthier, as he hasn’t curbed his desire to consume food.
“I’m drinking smoothies. I’m drinking vegetables,” Davis said. “I hate vegetables, but I put them in a smoothie and drink them. I definitely think it’s a real big impact this off-season because I feel myself more energy, being able to sustain more.”
Going into the Clemson game, Smart seems confident enough in Davis’ conditioning to employ him in pass-rushing packages. If Davis is going to further impress NFL scouts, he’ll need to register more negative plays.
Despite playing an instrumental part in the Georgia defense, Davis has just 3.5 sacks over the last two seasons.
“He has a third down role for us, yes, but his primary role is first and second down obviously,” Smart said. “He’s worked really hard to improve his quickness. He knows that when he’s in there, there’s less run game between those A gaps, so it’s all about how can he affect the perimeter and cover down.”
Davis’ best attribute is his ability to occupy opposing offensive linemen. His build and speed often command double teams on the interior of the offensive line, freeing Georgia linebackers to make plays behind him.
Playing against someone like Davis is also a great way for Georgia’s offensive linemen to prep for what they’ll see against Clemson.
“Somebody his size and how fast he is, he’s a problem,” offensive lineman Warren McClendon said. “Going against him every day just makes us better.”
Smart has also asked for Davis to become a bigger voice in the Georgia program. It’s why he was standing in front of that podium at SEC Media Days, as was quarterback JT Daniels. It’s part of the reason Davis has often been featured in Georgia hype videos and announcements this offseason.
Like downing a bag of Swedish Fish, Davis hasn’t had much trouble dealing with those demands, thanks to his outsized personality.
“The dude is huge, he can run but if you have a close relationship with JD, you wouldn’t think he is any type of good at football,” running back Kendall Milton said. “He has the personality of a fourth-grader. The most playful person. He’s like that big dog that doesn’t know how big he is.”
Davis is constantly cracking jokes or busting a move in the locker room. Even with his massive size, he has no problem dancing in front of others.
He’s very comfortable in his own skin.
“Every time he steps in a room he brings joy to everybody that is in there,” safety Chris Smith said. “Obviously, he is a specimen on the field, so he sets a good example with his actions. Just going on the field and being a presence, he’s gained a lot of respect from everybody on the team.”
Being a leader on the practice field is one thing, but doing it against No. 3 Clemson is another big ask for Davis. Georgia is going to need him to stifle the Clemson ground game while pressuring quarterback DJ Uiagalelei when he drops back to pass.
Related: Georgia’s Jordan Davis gets ‘riled up’ thinking about opening game with Clemson
Doing both of those things is much tougher at 370 pounds than the 330-pound weight that Davis enters the season at. Though it might also help Davis that Clemson plans to rotate centers for the game, according to head coach Dabo Swinney.
“With Jordan, there’s no winning, he’s too big. He’s like a brick wall,” Milton said of his Davis.
If the senior is able to play well on Saturday, it could very well lead Georgia to a win. From there it could put Davis on a path to where he is once again a big man in front of a tiny podium.
Only this time, it’s during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
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- Jake Fromm back in NFL, former Georgia QB on Buffalo Bills practice squad
- WATCH: Dabo Swinney, Kirby Smart shrug off center issues, ready for ‘big boy football’
- Georgia football recruiting: September 1 arrives with a bang for 2023 class
- Steve Spurrier: Kirby Smart and Georgia football will ‘hit the top pretty soon’
- Mind game: How Georgia coach Kirby Smart handles magnitude of Clemson opener, title expectations
