JohnnyU
Footballguy
Rookie RB with lots of talent, but also on the same team as Breece Hall and Braelon Allen. Hall is doubtful this week so he may get a few carries behind Allen.
Isaiah Davis was drafted by the New York Jets in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft.
SUMMARY
Isaiah Davis was drafted by the New York Jets in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft.
- 6’0” 218
40-Yard Dash 4.57 Seconds
- 2023: First-team Associated Press FCS All-American. Missouri Valley Football Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Year (with SDSU QB Mark Gronowski). First-team All-MVFC. Led the FCS with 1,578 rushing yards (236 carries, 6.7 per). Tied for the FCS lead with 18 rushing TDs. Team captain. Played all 15 games for the national champions (23-199-8.7, TD receiving)..
DRAFT PROFILE: BIO
Isaiah Davis with over 2,000 rushing yards and 45 touchdowns in his senior year of high school, showcased early on his potential on the ground, earning Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year. Opting for South Dakota State for his collegiate career, Davis hit the ground running despite a COVID-19 delayed start, amassing impressive stats over his tenure - 4,548 rushing yards, 50 touchdowns, and 487 receiving yards, solidifying his role as a workhorse back for the Jackrabbits.
Davis' college career is decorated with accolades, underlining his impact on the field. He was twice honored as an FCS All-American (2022-23) and snagged the MVFC co-Offensive Player of the Year in 2023. His consistency and dominance were also recognized with two First-Team All-MVFC selections (2022-23) and earlier nods as HERO Sports Sophomore All-American (2021) and a spot on the MVFC All-Newcomer Team (2020-21).SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS
- Combines size with agility, effective in navigating between tackles, showcasing impressive forward momentum.
- Exhibits exceptional ball security with only three fumbles across four years, indicative of reliable hands and awareness.
- Displays advanced vision and patience, adept at identifying and exploiting running lanes, contributing to his high yardage gains.
- Possesses the build and frame of an NFL-caliber running back, ready to handle a workhorse role.
- Strong lower body and ability to gain yards after contact, beneficial in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
- Capable receiver out of the backfield, offering a viable option for check-downs and short-area throws.
- Demonstrates notable discipline and understanding as a zone runner, efficiently reading blocks and leveraging defensive movements.
- Quick feet allow for effective one-cut and slashing running style, making him elusive despite size.
SCOUTING REPORT: WEAKNESSES
- Lacks elite long-speed, limiting breakaway potential on longer runs.
- Tends to bounce runs outside rather than taking direct paths, affecting efficiency.
- Pass protection techniques need refinement to enhance value in passing situations.
- While having decent burst, lacks top-end explosiveness characteristic of elite NFL running backs.
- Route-running abilities are underdeveloped, narrowing his utility in diverse passing schemes
- It can't be overlooked that he's padded his stats at a lower level of play at South Dakota
SUMMARY
Isaiah Davis enters the NFL Draft as a back with a bulldozer style, capable of grinding down defenses with his physical run game. His tape at South Dakota State displays a runner with a nose for the end zone, thriving in gap schemes and showcasing an ability to turn upfield with decisiveness. Davis' leg churn and pad level make him a nightmare for solo tacklers, illustrating the kind of power and balance that earns tough yards after contact. While his contributions as a receiver offer some versatility, his skill set screams ground-and-pound, fitting schemes that favor a smashmouth approach.
However, Davis' evaluation isn't without its red flags. The lack of elite burst and top-end speed limit his threat as a breakaway back, potentially capping his ceiling in an NFL increasingly biased towards versatile, dual-threat RBs. His pass pro needs refinement; his tendency to telegraph cuts could make him a liability in blitz pickup situations. These elements of his game will require attention and development at the next level, raising questions about his ability to be a three-down back from day one.
Overall, Davis is a mixed bag with clear NFL upside and equally evident limitations. His ability to absorb contact and push piles fits well with teams in need of a physical presence in the backfield. Yet, his immediate impact may be limited to early-down work and short-yardage situations, where his downhill mentality and toughness shine. His draft stock will likely reflect this dichotomy, positioning him as a Day 3 pick with the potential to outplay his selection as he refines his game.
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