Three things to know about new Kentucky football running back Ray Davis
Kentucky football has found its replacement for Chris Rodriguez in the transfer portal.
Former Vanderbilt running back Ray Davis committed to the Wildcats on Tuesday, just hours after UK received a commitment from North Carolina State quarterback transfer Devin Leary. Here is what you need to know about Kentucky’s newest running back.
1. Davis played a big role in UK’s most embarrassing 2022 loss
Kentucky’s Nov. 12 loss to Vanderbilt, which snapped a 26-game SEC losing streak for the Commodores, was sparked by consistent rushing success against the UK defense. Leading the way that afternoon was Davis, who totaled 129 rushing yards and one touchdown on 26 carries.
Now, Davis is switching sides.
It would be dangerous to assume any running back can take on Rodriguez’s workload, but Davis looks the part of a workhorse running back. He recorded at least 20 carries seven times in 12 games this season.
In 29 career games across four seasons at Temple and Vanderbilt, Davis has totaled 2,512 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. The 5-foot-9, 205-pound California native rushed for 1,042 yards and five touchdowns for Vanderbilt in 2022.
2. This is Davis’ second transfer
Davis started his career at Temple, rushing for 936 yards and eight touchdowns as a freshman in 2019. After rushing for 323 yards in his first four games for Temple in 2020, he entered the transfer portal for the first time.
After arriving at Vanderbilt, Davis started strong with 211 yards in his first three games before suffering a season-ending toe injury. Healthy again to start the 2022 season, Davis topped the 100-yard plateau five times in 12 games, including four times against SEC opponents.
Originally a member of the high school class of 2018, Davis used a post-graduate year at the Trinity Pawling School in New York to improve his grades enough to meet NCAA academic qualification standards.
3. More questions loom for Kentucky’s running back room
With Davis in the fold, Kentucky’s running back depth once again looks like it could be a strength — if other offseason roster movement goes the Wildcats’ way.
Junior JuTahn McClain emerged as Rodriguez’s primary backup late in the 2022 season and should fill a featured role moving forward. Former Sam Houston State transfer Ramon Jefferson is also seeking a waiver from the NCAA for another year of eligibility after suffering a season-ending injury on UK’s first offensive drive of the season. Redshirt freshman La’Vell Wright has shown promise in flashes but has yet to translate that potential into consistent in-game production.
Kentucky is also recruiting multiple running backs in the high school class of 2023, led by Georgia prep star Jamarion Wilcox and Ohio prep star Trey Cornist.