A three-star prospect, Davis committed to play college football for the Kentucky Wildcats.[5] He redshirted as a freshman in 2017 and played mostly on special teams in 2018, also recording an interception as a reserve player.[6][7] He followed with 32 tackles in 2019 before being named as a starter for the 2020 season, where he led the team in tackles with 102 and also recorded 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and three interceptions, one of which he returned 85 yards for a touchdown.[8][9]
Davis was selected by the Washington Football Team in the first round (19th overall) of the 2021 NFL draft.[14] He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 13, 2021.[15] Davis took over as the starting middle linebacker over Cole Holcomb, who suffered an injury, in the Week 10 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. In it, he recovered a fumble that put the Commanders in position to kick a field goal in a victory over the Eagles.[16][17] He was placed on injured reserve on January 7, 2023, finishing the season with a team-leading 104 tackles, two fumble recoveries, and three sacks.[18]
On April 25, 2024, the Commanders declined the fifth-year option on Davis' contract.[19] He moved to defensive end in the offseason.[20][21] Davis was released on October 22, 2024.[22] He appeared in five of seven games and recorded 12 tackles.[23]
Davis' childhood nickname was "Shadow", named after Shadow from the Sonic the Hedgehog video game franchise. He received the nickname from a close friend and partner in track sprinting nicknamed Sonic, as the two characters are rivals in the franchise.[26] Davis majored in community and leadership development at Kentucky and wore 44 as his Wildcats uniform number to honor his grandmother who died at age 44.[27] He was interning at an attorney's office in Lexington, Kentucky, prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.[9] Davis is a fan of NASCAR, with his favorite driver being Jimmie Johnson.[9]
On March 28, 2022, Davis was cited with his second reckless driving charge after being caught driving 114 miles per hour in Loudoun County Parkway.[28] On August 1, 2023, Loudoun County district court issued him a guilty verdict, resulting in Davis receiving a 30-day jail sentence, a fine, and a suspension of his driver's license.[29] Davis' case was up for review two days later, but the review was given a continuance to August 31.[30] Davis' appeal was originally set for a jury trial scheduled for March 4, 2024,[31] but his appeal was settled three days earlier. On March 1, 2024, in exchange for Davis pleading guilty to reckless driving, he was sentenced to a six-month suspension of his driver’s license, a $2,500 fine along with additional court costs, and mandatory community service and avoided a jail sentence.[32]
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