Cole Hikutini, Micky Crum, Traveon Samuel, Bobby Petrino, Nick Dawson-Brents Louisville vs. Pittsburgh 11-21-2015 Photo by Mark Blankenbaker

Tight End Transfer Jordan Davis Talks Louisville

Chris PersonJuly 23, 2016

If there is one position in a Bobby Petrino offense that is favored among any other, it may be the tight end position. With Cole Hikutini and Keith Towbridge entering their final year for the Cardinals, the coaching staff will need reinforcements. Micky Crum is a young prospect who has shown a great deal of promise, Austin Cummings is enrolled and will more than likely redshirt in 2016, and Charles Standberry is more of a hybrid WR/TE than a pure tight end. That leaves the staff looking for someone who can make an instant impact in 2017. Enter Texas A&M transfer Jordan Davis.

Jordan Davis was a 4* recruit according to 247Sports out of Houston, Texas, ranked the #10 tight tight end in the 2015 recruiting class. Coming out of high school Davis had offers from the likes of Notre Dame, Miami, Florida, Auburn, Oklahoma, Texas and Florida State, where Davis had been committed since his freshman year in high school. Ultimately, Davis chose Texas A&M where he played in 3 games as a freshman, recording 2 receptions for 7 yards and a touchdown.

It wasn’t quite what Davis had in mind and he didn’t feel as though Texas A&M used him to the best of his ability, so he chose to transfer to Louisville in an effort to show what he is capable of. “I plan on living up to my expectations and more, whatever that may be!” Davis said via message. “Coach Petrino is all about the best man winning the job and I have no doubt in my mind that my talents will do the talking.”

Davis’ talents are undeniable. At 6’5″, 265lbs and a 40 that was timed at 4.54 seconds in high school Davis has the size and speed to be a factor immediately on the field. Before he is able to see the field though, Davis will have to sit out the 2016 season which he feels will really benefit him “This year will be a boost in confidence for me on the field and with that the game slows down. So teams will be in trouble once I have a better understanding of the playbook” Davis said. Once his redshirt year is over, what should Louisville fans expect to see from the athletic tight end? “What people can expect out of me in the 2017 season is a dual threat TE! Someone who isn’t scared to get dirty in the trenches and block and also the obvious, my pass catching. Being able to catch in traffic, in the red zone, and a down field threat!”

During his time before he enrolls at Louisville, Davis has been working hard to make sure he is prepared the moment he steps on campus “I’ve mainly worked on my route running and different blocking techniques” Davis said “[I’ve] started doing more conditioning but that’s something that will come back to me as I start practicing again. Just ready to get back on the field and put in major work this year off! I plan on coming back my sophomore year a beast.”

The Cardinals return one of the most prolific quarterbacks in college football in sophomore Lamar Jackson which should excite fans, coaches, and players alike and Davis recognizes the potential of teaming up with the star QB “Playing with a QB like Lamar is a gift! I feel once we get our timing down and get the feel of each other, we could be hard to stop along with the other weapons we have on offense!”

Obviously the new start is a breath of fresh air for the former A&M tight end, but Louisville is more about than just a second chance “They were on me heavy in high school. From the time I committed to FSU my freshman year Louisville has constantly recruited me. And I respect them for that and I am grateful for it.” At ACC media days, Coach Petrino referenced just how good of a team he believes he has from a character standpoint which just so happens to be one of the reasons Davis chose the Cards “One thing I love about Louisville’s team is they have a brotherhood and a bond that I feel can’t be broken. And that is a key part to being a great team that [has] chemistry.”

So when does Jordan Davis arrive on campus? “We are leaving at midnight next Friday so I will be on campus that Saturday (July 30th) evening.” For Davis, Louisville is a fresh start, one that he is very excited about “Man, I can’t wait! Getting more and more anxious as the time gets closer! It’s been an extremely long process!”

While he won’t see the field in 2016, Jordan Davis will be sitting on the sideline during games, studying the playbook, and working out with the team, preparing himself for his Cardinal debut in 2017. And with Lamar Jackson behind center and Bobby Petrino at the helm, 2017 may be quite the debut for him.