Inside Look At UDFA's: USC RB Justin Davis

Ed "Pi Double i" Henderson

WorldWide Rams

​​Next up on deck with the Los Angeles Rams, UDFA's coverage is the University of Southern Cal running back Justin Davis. Davis signing doesn't make much sense, as where the Rams are pretty much already deep at the running back position. With returning players of Todd Gurley, Malcolm Brown, and Aaron Green, and free agent signing of Lance Dunbar, Davis seems to have his work cut out for him making this team. However, wait, I also failed to mention the kid who broke the SWAC's (South Western Athletic Conference), all-time rushing record, Lenard Tillery also signed last week.

Davis senior year at USC turned out to be a somewhat disappointing one. The first game of the season against the Crimson Tide of Alabama, he was held to only two rushing yards on seven carries. He would try and get back on track with back to back games of over one hundred yards but, he would suffer an ankle injury. He never seemed to be able to get back on track subsequently losing his starting job to Ronald Jones II.

Standing at 6-foot-one and 209 pounds, Davis has the physique of a wide receiver. Has excellent vision on the field and a very shifty ball carrier, whether he's running inside or outside the tackle box. As a former sprinter, his speed is deceptive when Davis carries the ball. He doesn't look too exciting until he's already wiggled himself through the gaps on the offensive line.

​He catches the ball well out the backfield with good soft hands and with the ability to elude the defenders. The knock on Davis is that he can't stay healthy as well as fumbling the ball became an issue too. He is not built to be an every-down back like the other running backs on the roster but provides a relief back if needed. 


In my opinion, I don't see any room on the already crowded depth chart for Davis making this team. If he can show the coaches that he can play well on special teams as a returner, that more than likely will be the way he’ll break the 53-man roster. If not, expect to see Davis stick around to after the first round of cuts after the start of pre-season play.

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