After being important players in their universities, rookies must once again earn their places in the pros. Who are they and what hopes do they raise? Today, a close-up on the life journey of Ray Davis, the runner for the Buffalo Bills.
Re'Mahn Ray Davis
Born November 11, 1999 in San Francisco, California
1m76 for 95 kilos
Runner, Buffalo Bills
The buffalo
In James Cook, the Buffalo Bills have a runner who knows how to make differences. His acceleration ability as well as his skill in catching balls are rare. But his inability to be the type of runner capable of making contact on a recurring basis explains the selection of Ray Davis by Buffalo.
Ray Davis is the type to lower his shoulder and not run away from contact with a defender. The kinetic energy that it develops, with a significant weight that it throws at a more than adequate speed, makes it difficult to stop. Interviewed by local radio after the draft, manager Brandon Beane justified his choice as follows:
“A dog likes the physical side of this sport, he does not try to escape outside. That defines Ray Davis well. He does not run away from linebackers and even seeks to punish them. And it's the same when he has to protect his quarterback. He faces his opponents in all situations. »
This mentality comes from a character forged the hard way by life.
The pit bull
Experiencing a childhood with two parents in and out of prison, Ray Davis came of age well before the typical age. This is what he told 247Sports:
“I didn't have much of a relationship with my parents when I was young. In order for my siblings and I to survive, I had to become a man at the age of twelve! »
Living in various orphanages, he also felt responsible for a sister and a brother younger than him.
“I wanted to be adopted, even temporarily. But no one wants a twelve year old boy! People prefer to adopt younger children to raise. »
So, when a family member volunteers to adopt, the welcome is for the last two but not for him! Ray Davis feels abandoned and is now alone, living in a home located in the basement of a San Francisco hospital.
He who is not yet a teenager must already be mentally strong, like an adult.
Because a modern philosopher declared that sometimes “the wheel turns,” he later benefited from the benevolence of teachers and parents, taking him under their protective umbrella. Then, from the benevolent presence of a guardian angel, or rather one.
Because he plays on her son's basketball team, Lora Banks invites this 15-year-old boy whose difficulties she knows. And when the state authorities cannot let him leave the city to play in a tournament, she draws up the documents to officially be his referent.
“She’s like my mother!” Since the age of 15, I have been a member of the family sharing with them, daily and on vacation. »
Released from prison when Ray Davis was 16, his biological father then took a path of redemption. Lora Banks even affirming that the behavior of Ray Davis senior was exemplary, like that of another member added to his family.
This difficult childhood gave him a foolproof mentality and it shows in his game. There's no way to steal a ball from him when he has it in his arms: only two balls released in his last three university seasons, or 475 carries!
The homing pigeon
Most of the time, student-athletes complete their studies at only one university: Ray Davis has had three! Although playing primarily at quarterback and cornerback, Ray Davis was recruited by Temple University as a runner.
And in his first season in 2019, he broke the screen: 938 yards with an average of 12 per carry and 10 touchdowns (including 2 after receptions) in 12 games. The following season was disrupted by the pandemic and his Philadelphia-based university only played three games.
Wanting to take on the challenge of playing in the best college conference, he joined Vanderbilt in 2021. The demands were higher and he needed a learning period. He told USA Today:
“In Vandy, it was clearly more difficult! The coaches were very demanding and the opponents formidable. I had to work on all the nuances of the game.”
His second season in Nashville, he recorded 1,042 yards rushing in 12 games! Plus 169 more and 3 touchdowns through the air. But always wanting more, Ray Davis took advantage of the 5th year of eligibility offered to students due to covid-19, and he joined Kentucky.
Still in the best university conference but with better teammates, he confirmed his talent with 14 touchdowns on the ground and 7 others in the air in 13 games!
The buffalo
Ray Davis has a stocky physique: strong and solid on his feet. But don’t put it in a box with that visual impression. He doesn't lack speed and he also knows how to offer a solution in the air.
Ray Davis will probably never become a star in the NFL, especially since the careers of runners are short. But he can become a fundamental element of a successful attack, like two players he can remind us of: David Montgomery (Detroit) and Zack Moss (Cincinnati).
Its tempered steel character is a guarantee for an NFL staff.
“It’s impressive! He had to face things I never knew. I'm twice as old as him, but his maturity impresses me! “, coach Sean McDermott told USA Today.
Asked at a press conference, Ray Davis confesses to being happy to have gotten to this point, and appreciates every minute as a member of an NFL team. The “routourne a rotournée”* and he takes advantage of it!
*reference to a statement by Frank Ribery
