Jamin Davis putting in work, learning from veterans
In some other years, maybe a lot of other years, Jamin Davis would need to make a big impact for Kentucky this year.
He's physically advanced, has an understanding of the game and a knack for making plays, and he enrolled a semester early. He's 20 pounds bigger than he was before he got into the weight program in Lexington at the start of this year.
But this year Kentucky has a strong starting corps of linebackers and quality depth, too.
So Davis is putting in work, learning from veterans and waiting his turn.
That said, Davis did tell CatsIllustrated.com recently that he has a very high opinion of what he and the other young linebackers in the program are capable of. There's reason to believe that optimism is reasonable. Davis, Boogie Watson and Kash Daniel all had solid showings in the spring, Eli Brown appears poised to provide legitimate depth this year, and Jaylin Bannerman, Jordan Bonner and Alex King all look the part.
At media day, standing next to starter Josh Allen and fellow freshman King, Davis said he knows he's just got to put in the work and pay his dues.
RELATED: Bowden's late arrival shouldn't impact his ability to contribute
RELATED: Three big commitment decisions to watch for this month
RELATED: Who will be Benny Snell's primary backup?
“Honestly, I believe we just have to work our way up just like they did at one point. Just want to do what I can now to improve and come up and surprise everybody,” he said.
Surprise is exactly what Davis did in the Blue-White spring game, when he was the game's leading tackler (8).
After that spring game Mark Stoops had praise for Davis.
“You saw that on film when we recruited him; you saw him here,” Stoops said months ago. “He's a guy that takes the game very serious. He works at it, he's gaining weight, he's getting stronger, but he's got the instincts to play linebacker.”
Of course, that was just the spring, and as Eddie Gran said in reference to Gunnar Hoak, the spring game is different than a regular season game. Still, it was an impressive performance from Davis and one that has convinced not a few fans and program-watchers that he's got a bright future.
Matt House also had praise for Davis after that spring game, although his praise came couched in language that made it seem like he wanted to keep his freshman linebacker grounded.
“Jamin did some good things for a puppy,” House said. “He showed that he bites. That was good.”
Bigger than ever, certainly bigger than he was back then in the spring, and perhaps a little faster, Davis said learning from the players ahead of him is his current task.
“Getting more comfortable in the playbook with (help from) guys like Court (Courtney Jones) and J Jones (Jordan Jones) and just learning and feeding off their energy and doing the things that they do,” Davis said.
The Southern Miss game is the one that Davis has circled on his calendar.
“I just want to make something happen and do what I can do,” he said.