Brahmas’ Davis embraces long-awaited opportunity
Despite ranking as a consensus five-star prospect and the nation's top inside linebacker in the 2016 class, Ben Davis spent six college seasons without starting a game.
Signing with Alabama, Davis was on the roster for a pair of national championships and two title game losses, caught in a logjam for playing time with one of the sport's most heralded units. He transferred to Texas for his final season in 2021 but remained in a rotational role, landing in the CFL last year after going undrafted by the NFL.
Rather than seek a transfer and a greater playing opportunity early in his career, Davis said he “enjoyed every minute” of his college tenure, gleaning as much as he could from Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban and the elite talent surrounding him.
Now with the XFL'S San Antonio Brahmas, Davis at last has a chance to show what he can do between the lines, earning the role of team captain and drawing praise from coaches and teammates as a potential standout.
“I always focus on, whenever I get my opportunity, just making the best of it,” Davis said. “I had film, and a lot of coaches recognized that I could play. I just focus on what I can do, what I can control. Ultimately, it worked out for me.”
Ahead of their season opener against the St. Louis Battlehawks at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Alamodome, the Brahmas announced a group of five captains Tuesday, with starting quarterback Jack Coan, linebacker Joel Dublanko, running back Jacques Patrick and punter Brad Wing joining Davis.
Brahmas coach Hines Ward said he told defensive players on the opening day of practice about the value of swarming to the ball and finishing repetitions, and Davis has stood out with as a leader with his effort through the whistle on every snap since.
“Coming from that culture, from that environment, he knows what it takes,” Ward said. “That's part of the reason we drafted him, to bring that environment and culture to our team.”
As an Alabama native and the state's top-ranked player in his recruiting class, Davis landing at Alabama was no surprise. He said joining a roster loaded with talent “brings the best out of you,” saying Saban “changed my whole mindset about the game.”
After redshirting in 2016, Davis played just 83 snaps from 2017 through 2020, per Pro Football Focus. He was on the field for three snaps of the national championship game win against Ohio State in 2021 and was on hand for a title game win against Georgia in 2018, as well as losses to Clemson in 2017 and 2019.
“You learn so much. Even from the ones I didn't win, because I should've had four of them,” Davis said. “Seeing the work ethic that the team goes through, and how to get through adversity, and still play every single play like it has a life of its own.”
Wanting to “get more film and just increase my stock,” Davis shifted to Texas in 2021 to reunite with defensive line coach Bo Davis, who initially recruited him to Alabama.
Ben Davis posted his most productive season with the Longhorns, with 16 tackles and 2½ sacks, but he remained in a depth role, ranking 23rd on the defense in snaps played.
Brahmas linebackers coach Joey Porter said Davis' experience in biggame atmospheres has taught him “how to be a pro and take it to the next level.”
Defensive lineman Delontae Scott, Davis' roommate with the Brahmas, described him as an “animal,” and defensive back Ryan Lewis said Davis ranks near the top of the roster in film study hours.
“He can pretty much do it all. He's strong, he's fast, he's physical and he's smart,” Lewis said. “He's always in that book, he's always learning everything. He doesn't make mistakes, and he plays fast, man. He's a guy you're definitely going to have to look out for.”