Ben Davis Football Career Highlights and Future Prospects for NFL Success
As I sit here reflecting on Ben Davis's football journey, I can't help but draw parallels to that poignant quote from veteran boxer Luis Suarez after his first professional loss. "I am sad but that's part of the game," the 36-year-old fighter remarked, and honestly, that sentiment resonates deeply with what we've witnessed in Davis's career trajectory. Having followed his development since his high school days at Gordo High in Alabama, I've seen both the exhilarating highs and those moments where disappointment became part of his growth narrative. Davis represents that fascinating intersection of raw talent and unfulfilled potential that makes sports so compelling to analyze.
When Davis committed to the University of Alabama back in 2016, the football world took notice—and I remember thinking this could be the next great linebacker in Crimson Tide history. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 240 pounds with that rare combination of size and athleticism, he looked like a prototype NFL prospect from day one. His high school statistics were nothing short of dominant—147 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks during his senior season alone. Yet what impressed me most wasn't just the numbers but how he read offenses with the intuition of a player well beyond his years. I've always believed that the best defensive players possess a kind of sixth sense for where the ball is going, and Davis demonstrated that quality consistently during his formative years.
The transition to college football, however, proved more challenging than many anticipated, myself included. Davis redshirted his first year at Alabama, which wasn't entirely surprising given the depth of talent Nick Saban had accumulated, but what followed was a four-year journey where he saw limited action—appearing in just 18 games total. From my perspective, this is where that "part of the game" reality that Suarez referenced really comes into play. Football isn't just about physical gifts; it's about finding the right system, the right coaching, and sometimes just getting the right break at the right time. Davis worked with some of the best defensive minds in college football during his time at Alabama, yet never quite secured that starting role that many projected for him. I've spoken with several scouts who maintained that his practice performances showed flashes of brilliance that simply didn't translate to consistent game opportunities.
What fascinates me about Davis's professional prospects isn't just where he's been but where he could still go. At 25 years old, he's younger than many realize, and his physical tools remain intriguing. His combine numbers—including a 4.68-second 40-yard dash and 35-inch vertical leap at his pro day—would place him in the 85th percentile for NFL linebackers even today. The team that signs him will be getting a player with minimal wear and tear, having played just 127 collegiate snaps total. From my experience evaluating talent, sometimes these lower-mileage prospects develop later than their heavily-utilized counterparts. I'm reminded of players like James Harrison who bounced around practice squads before eventually becoming defensive pillars.
The modern NFL increasingly values versatility, and this is where I believe Davis could find his niche. His length and coverage skills make him an interesting candidate for special teams immediately, with the potential to develop into a sub-package linebacker. I've watched every available snap of his college career multiple times, and there's one particular play against Tennessee where he diagnosed a screen pass, shed his blocker, and made a tackle for loss that showcased exactly the kind of instinctual play that translates to the next level. Those flashes matter, even if they were too infrequent.
Looking ahead, Davis's path to NFL relevance likely involves a patient approach that both he and whatever organization signs him must embrace. He'll need to contribute immediately on special teams—where I estimate he could play 200-250 snaps in his first season—while gradually earning defensive reps. The comparison that comes to my mind is former Patriots linebacker Elandon Roberts, who developed from a special teams contributor into a reliable defensive starter over several seasons. Davis possesses similar physical traits and, from what I've gathered through sources close to the Alabama program, the work ethic to match.
The business side of football cannot be ignored either. As an undrafted free agent, Davis would likely command a minimum salary deal with perhaps $50,000 in guaranteed money—a bargain for a team willing to invest development resources. In my view, teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers or Baltimore Ravens, with their histories of developing defensive talent, would provide ideal environments. Their defensive systems value the kind of length and athleticism Davis brings to the table.
Ultimately, Ben Davis's football journey embodies that delicate balance between expectation and reality that Suarez's quote captures so perfectly. The sadness of unmet potential is indeed "part of the game," but so is redemption. Having watched countless players navigate similar paths, I'm convinced Davis possesses both the physical tools and, just as importantly, the mental fortitude to carve out an NFL career. It may not mirror the All-Pro trajectory some predicted during his high school days, but a solid 5-7 year career as a rotational linebacker and special teams contributor is well within reach. The team that recognizes this potential—and invests the necessary coaching resources—might just find themselves with one of the more value-added roster pieces in the coming seasons. Sometimes the most rewarding player evaluations aren't about the obvious stars but about identifying those who can turn potential into sustainable contribution.