Pro Football Focus Ranks Kentucky's Ray Davis Top-Five Returning SEC Running Back
Kentucky football is no stranger to watching powerhouse running backs churning the legs in the backfield.
Since head coach Mark Stoops took the reins in Lexington, a viewer has been hard-pressed to find a game involving the Cats that didn't feature a high-level tailback doing what they can to lead the charge on offense.
That's expected to remain the case for the 2023 season, as Vanderbilt transfer Ray Davis is the next veteran back that's ready to damage in a new uniform. On Tuesday, Pro Football Focus released its top-10 returning SEC RBs based on grade a season ago, with Davis checking in at No. 4:
Across four seasons of college football with Temple and Vandy, Davis has over 500 carries, nearly 2,500 rushing yards, 61 receptions, 439 passing yards and a grand total of 20 touchdowns.
"At the end of the day I got to be Ray Davis. That's just what it is. I was born to be Ray Davis. I wasn't born to be (Chris Rodriguez), I wasn't born to be Benny Snell. What those guys did was historic, Benny's in the history books, C-Rod's in the history books, but right now I gotta focus on just getting my foot in the door," Davis said when speaking with local reporters for the first time back in January.
Last season was his best as a Commodore, rushing for 1,042 yards and five touchdowns while also catching 29 passes for 169 yards and three scores. UK felt his wrath, as he tallied 129 yards in Vandy's 24-21 streak-breaking win over the Wildcats in Lexington on Nov. 12.
Since arriving in Lexington for spring practice, Davis has continued to grow as a runner while acclimating with new offensive coordinator Liam Coen, new quarterback Devin Leary, a stacked RB room and more.
"He's got really good vision, he's a one-cut back, he made a few (runs) today, boy, that he kinda just rode the wave and once it cleared he was right through the hole," Coen said of Davis in March. "He's a smart player, he's a smart kid, he understands all the combinations ... he wants to know the 'why' behind all the runs, so I think that really gives him a leg up, in terms of his knowledge of the game."
UK will square off against four of the other nine backs on PFF's list this season:
- Oct 28: vs. Tennessee (No. 5 Jaylen Wright, No. 6 Jabari Small)
- Oct. 7: @ Georgia (No. 8 Daijuan Edwards)
- Nov. 4: @ Mississippi State (No. 10 Jo'Quavious Marks)
Davis was one of seven Wildcats named to Athlon Sports' 2023 Preseason All-SEC Teams earlier this week, earning Second Team honors.
Observations from Kentucky's final open spring practice HERE.
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Devin Leary discusses his decision to transfer to Kentucky HERE.
Ray Davis isn't following former Kentucky RB's footsteps. More HERE.
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