NFL Draft Profile: Tyler Davis, Defensive Lineman, Clemson Tigers
#13
Pos: iDL
Ht: 6016
Wt: 295
40: 4.92
DOB: 11/1/2000
Hometown: Apopka, FL
High School: Wekiva
Eligibility: 2023
Tyler Davis
Clemson Tigers
One-Liner:
Compact defensive tackle who uses leverage and strength to push the pocket. Average athleticism puts a ceiling on his projection.
Evaluation:
Displaying a tremendous understanding of leverage, Davis gets under blockers consistently. He has great upper body strength to extend and twist, enforcing his will on opponents. In obvious passing situations, he uses his get off and close quarter quickness to stress centers laterally. Getting under blockers and driving his legs allows him to push the pocket consistently. Davis knows how to use his hands, stacking and shedding at a high rate. He keeps his frame clean after shooting gaps with his rip move. Undersized defender who is dependent on winning the leverage battle, causing him to get driven off the ball when he does not. Davis is unable to stay square on lateral runs. He struggles to process and diagnose plays when the offense moves the line of scrimmage. His hands are not quick and urgent, preventing him from getting quick pass rush wins. Davis has not developed a counter off of his bull rush. Average athleticism puts a ceiling on his game. Compact defensive tackle who uses leverage and strength to push the pocket and enforce his will on blockers. Davis is too reliant on winning the leverage battle. He does not win quickly and does not possess counters to finish consistently. Davis projects as a rotational defensive lineman who can start in the future. He will offer a constant presence as a pass rusher, beating one on ones reliably.
Grade:
5th Round
Background:
Tyler Davis, from Apopka, Florida, was a first team All ACC selection in 2021 and has been a key piece to the Tigers defense from the beginning. In his first season with Clemson, he was second team All-ACC with over fifty tackles and five and a half sacks. In high school, he was a four star player and seventh ranked defensive tackle in the nation. A Management Major at Clemson, Davis will look to be a key piece to Dabo’s defense and make an impact he has been making since he got to Clemson. Battled with an MCL sprain, suffered in the season opener, for much of the 2020 season. Was the first true freshman to start the opening game at defensive tackle for Clemson since 1974.