Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Tyler Davis

Tyler Watkins Davis is an American from , and a member of the League of the South, a group advocating for Southern cultural preservation and political independence, who was convicted for participating in the 2017 assault on DeAndre Harris amid clashes at the in . The rally, held to protest the city council's decision to remove a statue of Confederate General , drew participants defending historical monuments alongside counter-protesters opposing the event, leading to street fights and the revocation of the permit. After DeAndre Harris struck a rallygoer named Harold Ray Crews with a wooden board—resulting in a later dismissed charge against Harris—Davis and others pursued Harris into a nearby , where video evidence showed Davis striking Harris on the head with a tire thumper, causing scalp lacerations requiring stitches. Extradited from in early 2018, Davis entered an to malicious wounding, acknowledging the strength of prosecutorial evidence while maintaining his innocence, and received a sentence of two years and one month in prison in August 2019. At sentencing, Davis expressed regret for the harm caused but contextualized the chaos of the day's mutual violence.

Early life

High school career

Davis attended Wekiva High School in , where he played under coach Rich Bedesem. As a in the 2018 season, he recorded 34 total tackles (22 solo), 6.0 sacks, and 1 over 11 games, averaging 3.1 tackles per game. His performance helped the Mustangs achieve an 11-2 record and secure a top-10 ranking among high school teams. Rated a four-star in the class of 2019, Davis stood at 6-foot-2 and 293 pounds, earning scholarship offers from programs including and UCF—his first from UCF as a . He committed to on December 19, 2018, prioritizing the program over other suitors. Davis ranked as the top prospect in the Orlando Sentinel's 2019 Central Super 60 evaluations.

College career

Hutchinson Community College

Davis enrolled at Clemson University directly after graduating from Wekiva High School in 2019, bypassing programs such as . No records indicate participation in Hutchinson CC's program, which during the relevant period (circa 2018–2019) featured other defensive linemen but not Davis. His recruiting profile and official biographies confirm a seamless transition to Division I without intermediate JUCO experience.

Clemson University

Davis transferred to after playing at and enrolled as a true defensive tackle in 2019, starting the season opener against on —the first Clemson defensive tackle to do so since Jeff in 1974. During his freshman campaign, he appeared in 15 games with 13 starts, logging 43 combined tackles (20 solo), 9.0 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks while forcing one fumble recovery, earning second-team All-ACC honors as one of the top performers among freshmen nationally. In 2020, limited by injuries and the shortened season, Davis started all 7 games for 13 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, and 2.0 sacks. He rebounded in 2021 with first-team All-ACC recognition after 9 starts and 23 tackles including 2.5 sacks, followed by a standout 2022 season of 31 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks, which earned him second-team All-American honors from the (FWAA) and Bednarik Award semifinalist status. As a fifth-year in , he started all 13 games for 34 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss, securing third consecutive first-team All-ACC selection and becoming Clemson's first defensive player with four All-ACC honors overall. Over his five seasons at Clemson (2019–2023), Davis amassed 144 combined tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss, and 16.0 sacks across 56 games (52 starts), setting program records for most career starts by a defensive player (52) and (surpassing ' 46). His consistent interior disruption contributed to Clemson's Championship appearances in 2019 and 2022, though the Tigers finished with a 10-4 record in his final year amid broader defensive inconsistencies.

Professional career

2024 NFL Draft

Davis declared for the following his senior season at , where he recorded 28 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks in 13 games. Pre-draft evaluations positioned him as a Day 3 prospect, with projections ranging from the fourth to seventh rounds due to his experience as a rotational interior defensive but concerns over his 6-foot-2 stature and 31-inch arm length limiting pass-rush upside against competition. At the on February 29, 2024, Davis measured 6 feet 2 inches tall and 301 pounds, ran the in 5.02 seconds, completed 29 repetitions at 225 pounds, achieved a 28.5-inch , a 108-inch broad jump, and a 5.00-second three-cone drill. These metrics highlighted his functional strength and quickness off the snap for a nose tackle profile, though his average speed and shorter arms drew scrutiny from scouts evaluating him as a two-down run-stuffer rather than a versatile three-down player. The Los Angeles Rams selected Davis with the 196th overall pick in the sixth round on April 27, 2024, valuing his Clemson pedigree and proven ability to disrupt interior runs, as evidenced by his career totals of 104 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, and 7 sacks over 52 games. Scouting reports praised his leverage and hand usage to stun blockers at the point of attack but noted limitations in shedding blocks consistently against longer offensive linemen, projecting him as a depth piece in run-heavy schemes.

Los Angeles Rams

Davis was selected by the in the sixth round (196th overall) of the out of . He signed a four-year rookie contract on May 13, 2024, valued at $4,202,552, including a $182,552 . As a rookie in the 2024 season, Davis appeared in 16 games, primarily as a rotational defensive , recording 29 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and 0.5 sacks. His contributions helped bolster the Rams' defensive line depth amid injuries to starters, with coaches noting his quick adaptation to schemes and run-stopping ability. Entering the 2025 season, Davis secured a more prominent role on the defensive line, starting alongside veterans like . In Week 1 against the Houston Texans on September 7, 2025, he recorded a on for a 12-yard loss, marking an early highlight in the ' 2025 campaign at . Davis has credited his Clemson background and prior experience for preparing him to handle physicality and gap control responsibilities.

Playing style

Strengths and weaknesses

demonstrates explosive quickness off the snap, leveraging his compact 6-foot-2, 301-pound frame to generate natural low-pad leverage and penetrate gaps effectively against run plays. His powerful bull rush and upper-body strength allow him to drive guards backward, absorb double-team blocks at the point of attack, and maintain gap integrity, as evidenced by his ability to split combinations and disrupt outside zone schemes. Additionally, exhibits competitive toughness and a relentless motor, contributing to backside pursuit and effective stunting, where he occupies multiple blockers to free up teammates. In pass-rush situations, he applies consistent pressure through forceful hand usage and quick swims, recording 36 pressures in the 2022 season per PFF data, often denying quarterbacks clean pockets by collapsing interior lanes. His versatility across alignments, including 3-technique and nose tackle roles, stems from solid footwork in and twists, making him a rotational asset in run-heavy defenses. Davis's primary weaknesses arise from his sub-elite arm length of approximately 31 inches, which restricts extension against longer offensive linemen and complicates disengagement after initial contact. This limitation, combined with average lateral agility, leads to struggles against down blocks and in two-gapping scenarios, reducing his tackle radius and overall disruption in space. A recurring injury history, including missed games in 2021 and 2022, has prompted concerns over his professional durability. Furthermore, his pass-rush arsenal lacks diverse counters beyond power moves, and occasional high pad level exposes him to being washed out by angular blockers.

Reception and legacy

Accolades and impact

Davis received second-team All-American honors in 2022 from the and the . He was also named a semifinalist for the 2022 , which recognizes the top defensive player in . At the conference level, Davis earned four All-ACC selections, including second-team honors as a freshman in 2019 and first-team accolades in 2021, 2022, and 2023, making him the first defensive player in Clemson history to achieve this distinction. Throughout his Clemson career, Davis demonstrated substantial impact on the Tigers' defense, starting 52 of 56 games and setting a school record for defensive players with 51 career starts. As a true freshman in 2019, he started all 13 games, recording 51 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks, contributing to Clemson's championship and victory. Over his full tenure from 2019 to 2023, he amassed 144 tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss, and 16 sacks, anchoring a defensive line that ranked 13th nationally in run defense in 2023 and helping Clemson maintain consistent top-tier performance against the run. In his professional career with the , selected in the seventh round (No. 218 overall) of the , appeared in 17 games as a , logging 28.4% of defensive snaps and registering 20 stops—a metric for plays resulting in negative expected points added for the offense. His contributions bolstered a Rams defensive front that integrated multiple rookies effectively, with showing rotational value in run defense during the 2024 season, though he has yet to earn individual as of 2025. Early 2025 reports highlighted increased comfort and aggressive play from , positioning him for expanded snaps alongside veterans and fellow defensive line additions.

References

  1. [1]
    Ex-white nationalist found guilty in beating of DeAndre Harris in ...
    Feb 8, 2019 · Tyler Watkins Davis, who belonged to the League of the South, is the fourth man convicted in the brutal 2017 assault on DeAndre Harris ...
  2. [2]
    Final defendant in Harris beating sentenced to more than two years ...
    Tyler Davis, the last defendant charged in the brutal Aug. 12, 2017, assault of DeAndre Harris, was sentenced to more than two years in prison Tuesday in ...
  3. [3]
    Two Years Ago, They Marched in Charlottesville. Where Are ... - ADL
    Aug 8, 2019 · In August 2017, hundreds of far-right extremists descended on Charlottesville, Virginia, ostensibly to protest the removal of a Confederate statue from a local ...
  4. [4]
    DeAndre Harris, Beaten by White Supremacists in Charlottesville, Is ...
    Mar 16, 2018 · The 20-year-old black man was brutally attacked in a parking garage during last year's rally. He was then charged with assaulting a white ...
  5. [5]
    Last man charged in beating of black man during rally pleads - WVEC
    Feb 11, 2019 · The Daily Progress reports 50-year-old Tyler Watkins Davis acknowledged prosecutors had enough evidence to convict him of malicious wounding ...
  6. [6]
    Ex-white nationalist found guilty in beating black man in ...
    Tyler Watkins Davis, 50, of Middleburg, Florida, once a member of the white nationalist group the League of the South, entered an Alford plea in Charlottesville ...
  7. [7]
    Fourth attacker sentenced in Charlottesville parking garage beating ...
    Aug 27, 2019 · Tyler Watkins Davis was sentenced to just over two years in prison for his role in the vicious assault on DeAndre Harris during the 2017 ...
  8. [8]
    Tyler Davis – Clemson Tigers Official Athletics Site
    #13 Tyler Davis Second-team All-American in 2022 who became Clemson's first defensive player to be a four-time All-ACC selection.
  9. [9]
    Tyler Davis' Wekiva High School Career Home - Max Preps
    Category, 2018-19, Nat Avg. Solo Tackle, 22, 12. Total Tackles, 34, 21. Tackles Per Game, 3.1, 2.9. Sacks, 6.0, 1.4. Interceptions, 1, 1.
  10. [10]
    Tyler Davis - Los Angeles Rams
    Biography · Has appeared in 19 career regular season games and recorded 40 tackles (15 solo), three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, eight pressures, six hurries and ...
  11. [11]
    https://www.espn.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/229262/tyler-davis
  12. [12]
    Former Wekiva stars Tyler Davis, Brandon Hill cherish All-ACC ...
    Dec 29, 2021 · Being named all-ACC shows why he was ranked so high coming out of high school. He was the No. 1-ranked player in the Sentinel's 2019 Central ...Missing: achievements | Show results with:achievements
  13. [13]
    Tyler Davis Defensive Tackle Recruiting Profile - ESPN
    Tyler Davis. 6-2, 293 | 40: 5.00 | Class of 2019. HometownApopka, Fla. SchoolWekiva High School; PositionDefensive Tackle; Status Signed Clemson 12/19/2018 ...
  14. [14]
    Get to know Clemson DL Tyler Davis | Pick 196 - Los Angeles Rams
    May 8, 2024 · The Rams used their sixth selection in the 2024 NFL Draft on Clemson defensive lineman Tyler Davis, who was chosen in the sixth round, 196th overall.Missing: Hutchinson | Show results with:Hutchinson
  15. [15]
    Tyler Davis College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits
    Tyler Davis. School: Clemson. Position: DT. 6-2, 300lb (188cm, 136kg). Draft: 6th round, 196th overall of the 2024 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams.
  16. [16]
    Tyler Davis, IDL Clemson: 2024 NFL Draft Profile
    Feb 27, 2024 · Awards: 2019 Second Team All-ACC, 2021 First Team All-ACC, 2022 First Team All-ACC, 2022 Second Team All-American (FWAA), 2022 Team Captain ...
  17. [17]
    2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Clemson DL Tyler Davis
    Apr 11, 2024 · At 6'2” and 301 lbs, Davis will have a tough time managing the physical NFL trenches. His 31” arms do him no favors, as he's expected to lose ...
  18. [18]
    2024 NFL Combine Results - PFF
    Mar 5, 2024 · Tyler Davis · Clemson, 6″ 2′, 301, 31.375, 9.250, 5.02, 5.00, 29, 28.5, 108, (-). Justin Eboigbe · Alabama, 6″ 4′, 297, 33.375, 9.750, 5.18, (-) ...
  19. [19]
    Tyler Davis | Combine Results | DT - Clemson
    Tyler Davis NFL Combine Stats ; 10 Yard Split: 1.71 seconds ; Bench Press: 29 reps (225 lb) ; Wonderlic: (N/A) (0-50) ; QB Ball Velocity: (N/A) (MPH) ; Vertical Leap ...
  20. [20]
    Tyler Davis 2024 NFL Draft: Combine Results, Scouting Report For ...
    Apr 11, 2024 · Tyler Davis 2024 NFL Combine RESULTS ; Height: 6-foot-2 ; Weight: 301 pounds ; 40-yard dash: 5.02 seconds ; 10-yard split: 1.72 seconds ; 20-yard ...
  21. [21]
    Rams select DL Tyler Davis with 196th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft
    Apr 27, 2024 · The Los Angeles Rams have selected Clemson defensive lineman Tyler Davis with the 196th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL ...
  22. [22]
    Tyler Davis Stats, News and Video - DE - NFL.com
    ... Tyler Davis in Round 6 of the 2024 NFL Draft with the No. 196 overall pick. video. Tyler Davis runs official 5.02-second 40-yard dash at 2024 combine. Clemson ...Missing: JUCO | Show results with:JUCO
  23. [23]
    Tyler Davis NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for Los Angeles Rams DL
    Apr 27, 2024 · Tyler Davis is a good run defender whose strength at the point of attack stands out on film. He stuns offensive linemen at the line of scrimmage ...
  24. [24]
    Tyler Davis DT Clemson NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
    A highly recruited four-star talent, Davis wasted no time making an impact, racking up 45 tackles, 10.5 for loss, and 6.5 sacks over 549 snaps in his freshman ...Missing: Hutchinson | Show results with:Hutchinson<|separator|>
  25. [25]
    Tyler Davis | NFL Contracts & Salaries - Spotrac.com
    Apr 27, 2024 · Tyler Davis ; College: Clemson ; Contract Terms: 4 yr(s) / $4,202,552 ; Average Salary: $1,050,638 ; Signing Bonus: $182,552 ; GTD at Sign: $182,552.
  26. [26]
    Tyler Davis Contract Details - Over the Cap
    Accrued Seasons: 1 · Contract Value: $4,202,552 ($1,050,638 APY) · Fully Guaranteed Money: $182,552 · Contract Ranking: 157/247 at IDL.
  27. [27]
    Offseason position reset: Defensive line - Los Angeles Rams
    Jul 2, 2025 · Tyler Davis. #90 DE. Height: 6-2; Weight: 306 lbs; College: Clemson. 2024 stats: 29 total tackles (two for loss) and 0.5 sacks in 16 games ...
  28. [28]
    Rams Rookie DL Labeled as Draft 'Steal' - Sports Illustrated
    Aug 16, 2024 · The Los Angeles Rams selected rookie Tyler Davis in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL draft, 196th overall. Following his performance in the ...
  29. [29]
    Defensive end Tyler Davis on his journey from Clemson to the NFL ...
    Sep 30, 2025 · During training camp, fellow defensive lineman Braden Fiske described the former Clemson captain as the unsung hero of the 2024 defense. Davis ...Missing: person | Show results with:person
  30. [30]
    Tyler Davis sack - Week 1 vs.Houston Texans at SoFi Stadium
    Sep 7, 2025 · Los Angeles Rams defensive end Tyler Davis sacks Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud for a loss of 12 yards during Week 1 matchup at SoFi ...<|separator|>
  31. [31]
    Tyler Davis On Stopping Opponents' Run Game, His History With NT ...
    Sep 30, 2025 · Los Angeles Rams defensive end Tyler Davis discusses the defense's success in stopping opponents' run game over the past 4 weeks, ...
  32. [32]
    2024 NFL Draft prospect profile: Tyler Davis, DT, Clemson
    Feb 28, 2024 · Tyler Davis is a compact defensive tackle prospect with a good first step, great competitive toughness, and the natural leverage to maximize his ...
  33. [33]
    Tyler Davis scouting report: Exploring the Clemson interior ...
    Apr 7, 2024 · Routinely walks guards backward and denies quarterbacks room to step up or forces them to move entirely and if you put him in wider alignments, ...
  34. [34]
    Clemson DT Tyler Davis Named as Bednarik Award Semifinalist
    Nov 1, 2022 · The Maxwell Football Club announced today that Clemson defensive tackle Tyler Davis has been named as one of 20 semifinalists for the 2022 Chuck ...
  35. [35]
    Eight Tigers Collect All-ACC Honors – The Clemson Insider
    Davis, who is Clemson's record holder for career starts by a defensive player (51), becomes the first defensive player in Clemson history to earn four career ...
  36. [36]
    Tyler Davis | The Anchor – Clemson Tigers Official Athletics Site
    Nov 18, 2022 · Tyler Davis has been a mainstay on the Clemson defense since arriving on campus in 2019. As a recruit, Davis was rated as a four-star talent from the Sunshine ...Missing: Hutchinson | Show results with:Hutchinson
  37. [37]
    What Tyler Davis brings to Los Angeles Rams in 2024 NFL Draft
    Apr 27, 2024 · Davis plays much stronger than his measurables. He uses strength to overcome his size difference and has the quickness to gain leverage inside ...
  38. [38]
    Four Tiger defenders named to national award watch lists | TigerNet
    Aug 1, 2023 · Clemson's Tyler Davis is the third returning All-American plugging the middle of a Tigers' defense that was 13th nationally stopping the run ...
  39. [39]
    More confident Tyler Davis ready for more to be asked of him by ...
    Aug 4, 2025 · Though he played just 28.4% of Los Angeles' defensive snaps in 2024, Davis still produced 20 stops (a play producing negative Expected Points ...
  40. [40]
    Rams' 2024 rookie class ranked as the best in the NFL
    Jan 16, 2025 · Tyler Davis has played meaningful snaps as a sixth-round defensive tackle and Jordan Whittington has provided a spark on kick returns; he ...
  41. [41]
    Is Tyler Davis is ready to make an impact at defensive tackle?
    Jul 29, 2025 · Drafted out of Clemson at #196 in Round 6 of the 2024 NFL draft, Davis collected 52 starts for the Tigers, along with four All-ACC awards, a ...