Washington Football Team: Jamin Davis is the defensive version of Terry McLaurin

Could the Washington Football Team’s 2021 first-round pick have the explosive upside of a star on the team’s offense?

Geez, I hate it when people compare a less established player to a more established player.  So no offense right now to those who may be regurgitating in their mouths with what I’m about to write, because that’s exactly what I’m going to do!

As I read about Jamin Davis and the more I hear coaches talk about this first round pick of the Washington Football Team, the more my mind keeps imagining the new Terry McLaurin of the defense.

I know, I know, blasphemy.  As the self-proclaimed President of the Terry McLaurin Fan Club, I should know better.

You see, I’ve been following Terry ever since he was a high school player here in my home state of Indiana.  He went to school no more than 20 minutes from where I live.

My point is this: I never would’ve anticipated comparing an incoming rookie player to a guy (McLaurin) that I hold to such high esteem.  But as I paint the picture, it’s clear to see why coach Ron Rivera and company chose this young man.

So here we go.

Let’s start with the obvious.  Jamin Davis was clocked at 4.48 at his pro day. Reminder, he’s a Linebacker!  Terry ran a 4.35 at the combine; in case you didn’t know, that’s fast, really fast!  Speed wins in the NFL, and these guys have it!

But you know what, lot’s of players have speed.  What about size?

Jamin Davis was a 196-pound freshman coming into the University of Kentucky.  He was certainly on the slim side for a Division I-A Linebacker in the SEC.

Over the course of four years at Kentucky, Davis put on 38 pounds of solid muscle.  When I say solid, the guy is shredded.  As a freshman in high school, Terry McLaurin weighed 125 pounds!  Yes, 125 pounds; that’s five pounds less than my wife. Oh boy, I’m gonna hear about that one!

Over the course of high school and then college at Ohio State, Terry put on lean muscle and now tips the scales at over 200 pounds, which is considerably more than my wife, haha.

Ok, I get it. It’s the NFL, these guys are all monsters.  However, it shows the incredible work these guys put in to become the size they are today.  They weren’t gifted with natural size; they busted their butts to achieve the body type it takes to play in the NFL.

So size and speed. Not exactly earth shattering, but trends are emerging.  Important traits like work ethic are what separate these guys from “some” in the NFL.

As we dig into work ethic, that leads us to something the Washington Football Team has emphasized since Coach Rivera took the reins: Its culture.

It doesn’t take top-level research from a high-level journalist to see the obvious with Jamin Davis. It’s evident when you listen to his college coaches talk about him. It’s clear when you listen to Rivera and easy enough to find on the UK Athletics website.

This guy is a young man of character and a natural leader; he’s a coach’s dream.  A talented and gifted athlete that has the work ethic and drive of the guy fighting for the last roster spot on the team.  A love for football, the drive to get better and the humble spirit to be a great teammate.

My friends, these are called intangibles and he’s got an abundance. Sounds familiar?  I thought so, just like our Washington Football Team gem, Terry McLaurin.

By this point, we all know the story of Terry McLaurin, and most understand his value extends far beyond the measurables.  So let me share a few bullet points on Jamin Davis from the UK Athletics website they describe as “Jamin Says”:

• He chose Kentucky because it felt like home
• He wears his jersey number because his grandmother passed away at age 44
• One word to describe him on the field is “dependable”
• Other than playing in the NFL, his dream job is to be a corporate lawyer
• The best advice he’s ever received is “you can’t have a million dollar dream with a minimum wage work ethic”

Are you catching onto that Terry Mclaurin comparison yet?  Need a reminder about McLaurin and the respect he commands from coaches?  Urban Meyer said he’s one of his favorite players he’s ever coached.  After McLaurin ran down a defender from the 50-yard line on a turnover against Dallas last year (surely an easy TD if he hadn’t) Meyer tweeted “Should be mandated watch of every HS and College player.  Selfless Leader.  Wow!”

Another thing I’ve seen from these guys is they work hard to achieve.  Maybe “working hard” is a lazy adjective to describe the monumental obstacles it took for these guys to reach their ultimate goal of playing professional football, because at some level everyone works hard. But these guys grinded, they had a desire to be better.  They both played special teams in college.  The legendary Brian Mitchell once said it takes a special kind of toughness to play special teams.  These guys are tough and they’re great teammates.

So yeah,  that Davis/McLaurin comparison makes a bit more sense now, eh?

And even though some “analysts” and “draft experts” had Jamin Davis as a slight “reach” by the Washington Football Team, one thing is clear.  Jamin Davis was the perfect pick for this team and what they’re building here in Washington.  I compare it similarly to Coach Rivera.  He may not be the best coach in the NFL, but was the absolute best hire for this team at the moment he was hired.

As Rivera and company build a foundation for sustained success, I couldn’t be more excited to announce that I’m now the self-proclaimed President of the Jamin Davis Fan Club.  Ultimately, his greatness must carry forward to the football field, but with his intangibles he’s a safe bet to put your money on.  It’s clear why the organization deemed him worthy of their first-round pick; they too see him as the Terry McLaurin of the defense.