5 Things to Know About New Chargers WR Derius Davis

Apr 29, 2023 at 11:14 AM

Omar Navarro

Jr. Writer

The Chargers took Derius Davis in the fourth round (No. 125 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft on Saturday.

Here are five things to know about the TCU wide receiver:

1. An explosive returner

Davis was also one of the most dangerous returners in the country in his college career.

In his time at TCU, Davis returned five punts for a touchdown in just 44 attempts — including returning one in his collegiate debut. He averaged 15.0 yards a return and was a threat to take it the other way each time he touched the ball given his explosive speed.

He also has experience in kickoff returns, as he had one touchdown in that department and averaged 29.6 yards a return in 2021.

2. Threat at WR

A five-year wide receiver at TCU, Davis came on strong in his final two years with the Horned Frogs, amassing 1,049 yards and six receiving touchdowns over that time frame. Davis also proved to be a threat on the ground, as he had a rushing touchdown each of his last two seasons.

He became a big weapon for TCU in their run to the National Championship Game, a game in which he broke 100 yards receiving.

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TCU wide receiver Derius Davis runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

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TCU wide receiver Derius Davis runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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TCU wide receiver Derius Davis runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

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TCU wide receiver Derius Davis runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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TCU wide receiver Derius Davis (11) returns a punt for a touchdown during an NCAA football game against Texas Tech on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas. TCU won 34-24. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

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TCU wide receiver Derius Davis (11) takes a pass into the end zone for a touchdown against Texas Tech during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)

Ron Jenkins

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TCU wide receiver Derius Davis runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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TCU wide receiver Derius Davis (11) prepares to compete against Texas before before an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)

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TCU wide receiver Derius Davis (11) carries the ball during an NCAA football game against Texas Tech on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas. TCU won 34-24. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

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TCU wide receiver Derius Davis (11) prepares to make the catch against Georgia defensive back Christopher Smith (29) during the first half of the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

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TCU wide receiver Derius Davis (11) runs against Georgia defensive back Javon Bullard (22) during the first half of the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

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TCU wide receiver Derius Davis reaches out to catch a pass during an NCAA college football game against Baylor in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

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Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron (23) tracks TCU wide receiver Derius Davis (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)

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TCU wide receiver Derius Davis (11) runs up field during an NCAA college football game against Iowa State, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

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3. Jet Award winner

As explosive as Davis was in the return game each year in college, his final year might have been his best.

Davis was awarded the Jet Award as the nation's top return specialist and selected as a First-Team All-American punt returner by multiple outlets for his explosive season in the return game.

He was one of only five players in college football with two returns for touchdowns in 2022 and ranked fourth in the nation with 14.9 per punt return.

4. A TCU reunion

It will be a TCU reunion on the Bolts.

Davis joins Chargers first-round pick Quentin Johnston in Los Angeles, the setting for both of their final collegiate game.

After threatening opposing teams as wide receivers at TCU, Davis and Johnston will get an opportunity to do that now in the pros.

5. Track star

Davis had a decorated high school career in both football and track.

Originally a cornerback, Davis was ranked No. 3 in the state of Louisiana at that position when he committed to TCU.

But that didn't mean Davis didn't do it all, as he also played on the offensive side of the ball at West Feliciana High School. In his senior year, Davis helped lead his school to 2017 3A state championship.

Davis also used his speed in another sport, as he was just as accomplished in track. He won the 200-meter state title from 2016-2018, and also dominated in the 400-meter.