SCOUTING THE COMMITS: Linebacker Jamin Davis

SENIOR YEAR: It was a tough season for Ludowici (Ga.) Long County with the team finishing 1-6-2 and going winless in conference play. Their only win came in the season opener against Savannah (Ga.) Islands.

That said, Davis did all he could to make Long County competitive and his production indicates he can't be faulted for the team's struggles. In spite of winning just one game Long County didn't surrender more than 25 points in any game until the halfway point in the season, although the floodgates seemed to open after that. But Long remained a constant. He was one of the most productive defensive players in the state of Georgia, regardless of classification.

Davis finished with 126 tackles, and an impressive 89 of those were of the solo variety. For a nine-game season that came out to 14 tackles per contest. Davis also had four tackles for loss, a sack, a hurry and a fumble which he returned to the opponent's three-yard line. He forced two fumbles and blocked both a punt and a field goal. Davis also had 11 carries for 50 yards, plus a dozen receptions for 151 yards and three scores. Long County's primary problem in 2016 was offense. Davis was one of just five players on the team to total more than 200 all-purpose yards.

STRENGTHS: Davis' biggest strength as a linebacker is his ability to play sideline-to-sideline. He has the length and plays with the speed to run plays down all over the field. He's rarely ever out of a play, has a knack for finding himself around the ball and is a reliable tackler when he gets his hands on someone. He makes stops in the open field and routinely places himself in the right place to make plays. Davis plays good assignment football and that speaks to his football IQ and natural instincts.

Davis' 6-foot-3 frame is impressive and should allow him to carry a lot more weight than his current 209 pounds (according to his recent interview with Cats Illustrated). Kentucky's coaches believe Davis can put on weight quickly, and it's not unrealistic to imagine that Davis will eventually be a 235-pound 'backer who can play multiple spots in the Cats' defense.

Versatility is an important part of Davis' game. While he's less a 'Jack' linebacker/end candidate than someone like Alex King, a fellow 2017 commit, Davis is capable of playing inside or outside linebacker. That he's able to double up as a receiver on the other side of the ball is a testament to his athleticism.

Davis played in the middle of Long County's defense and he did a good job of reading the play in front of him. He shot the gaps well, avoided blocks and shed enough of them, and took good angles in pursuit of the ball. He runs to the ball well and does a good job of stretching out plays to the outside. In the box he plays bigger and stronger than you might expect given his relatively lean frame, and drives through the ball carrier.

At Kentucky's camp Davis was one of the top performers at linebacker. He has the quickness and footwork to develop into a player who can cover in space and match up with backs and tight ends.

Davis has also been an effective special teams weapon thus far in his football career. It's not a stretch to imagine he could have a substantial impact on Matt House's "other" unit -- the special teams -- as some other linebackers have, such as Kash Daniel and Eli Brown.

AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Davis will be the first to tell anyone that his primary objective, upon arrival at Kentucky, has to be to put on weight. While 209 pounds doesn't seem especially undersized, on Davis' 6-foot-3 frame it's clear that he has room to get bigger. Fortunately, that's the kind of 'area for improvement' that can be easily remedied by weight room work, nutrition and time. That Davis will be enrolling early at Kentucky, in January, means he'll have an extra semester working with the program's staff to add mass to his frame.

Davis has been much more of a run-stopping specialist in the middle of the defense than someone who has needed to cover, and he's brought most of his pressure from the inside. So he will need to demonstrate that he can play in space, in coverage, and that he can come off the edge if he's to play outside linebacker.

NOTES: Davis has other Power Five offers from Louisville, Georgia Tech, Purdue and NC State.

-- Davis has taken recruiting visits with three-star defensive lineman and WKU commit B.J. Sharpe, who is planning a return unofficial visit to Kentucky sometime in January.

-- Davis has competed for the Blue Tide's basketball team as well, although his spring enrollment at Kentucky will prevent him from playing the sport as a senior.

-- Before the 2016 football season Davis was named to the first annual WJCL Big 22, a preseason honor for the top football players in his part of the Peach State. He was also selected as a Class AAA preseason all-state selection by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in August.

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