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When Raekwon Davis came to Alabama from Meridian, MS as a four-star defensive tackle, it was clear that he would not be redshirting. At 6’6.5”/327, he was too big and fast to leave on the sidelines.
After slimming down to 312 lbs, his college career really took off. As a freshman in 2016, he saw time in seven games, recording four tackles including a sack against Mississippi State that caused a fumble.
His sophomore year saw him really blow-up with 69 tackles, 10 of which went for a loss (-50 yards), and a team-high 8.5 sacks. He also recorded a memorable interception of Jake Fromm in the National Championship Game that jump-started the Tide’s comeback from a 20-7 deficit to the eventual victory. Bama might never have gotten to “2nd & 26” if not for his big play.
As a junior, Davis posted 55 tackles with 5.5 going for a loss (-28 yards), 1.5 sacks, and six quarterback hurries. Again he came up big in the post-season, sacking the teensy-tinsy little Heisman winner and #1 draft pick Kyler Murray in the Orange Bowl Playoff Game. At the conclusion of the season, Davis had an opportunity to turn pro, but he had other goals that he wanted to achieve.
This past season, Raekwon was tasked with providing senior leadership to a young defensive front that would rely heavily on underclassmen such as freshmen Byron Young, Justin Eboigbe and DJ Dale. Despite missing some time with injuries, he totaled 45 tackles with three tackles for losses (-6 yards), half a sack (on LSU’s Joe Burrow), and four quarterback hurries. Davis recorded a team-high eight tackles (seven solo) in the Iron Bowl.
Raekwon was named to either first team or second team All-SEC in each of his last three seasons. Although, the achievement he is proudest of is getting that diploma.
Growing up, everybody has a dream of what they could become one day. Coming from Meridian, most of us don’t ever get a chance to see that dream become a reality. But I did. I never realized what I could achieve until I learned the value of hard work and dedication. pic.twitter.com/ldpa57CtjK
— Raekwon Davis (@Raekwondavis_99) December 12, 2019
Davis’s playing days at Alabama may have ended but he has one more game to play as an amateur before heading to the NFL. He will be reuniting with defensive teammates Jared Mayden, Anfernee Jennings, and Terrell Lewis (also former teammate Jalen Hurts) in the 2020 Reese’s Senior Bowl on Jan. 25.