Isaiah Davis Bio
Isaiah Davis is an American professional football running back for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). Born on February 21, 2002, in Joplin, Missouri, Davis plays the running back position at a listed height of 6 feet 1 inch and weight of 220 pounds. He played college football for the South Dakota State Jackrabbits and was selected by the Jets in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 173rd overall pick. Davis has established himself as a two-time FCS national champion and earned recognition as a first-team FCS All-American during his collegiate career.
Early Life and Background
Isaiah Davis grew up in Joplin, Missouri, where his family’s home was destroyed during the devastating Joplin tornado in 2011. Davis and his brother survived the catastrophic event by taking shelter under a mattress in a hallway of their house. This early experience demonstrated the resilience that would later define his football career.
Davis attended Joplin High School, where he quickly emerged as an exceptional talent. During his junior season, he rushed for 1,676 yards and 28 touchdowns, showcasing the production that would become a hallmark of his playing style. His senior year proved to be his most dominant campaign, as he was named the Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year after accumulating 2,283 yards and 45 touchdowns on just 253 carries.
Beyond his rushing prowess, Davis demonstrated versatility by catching 19 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, he recorded 52 tackles as a linebacker. Despite his individual dominance, Davis and Joplin High School fell to De Smet Jesuit High School in the 2019 Class 6A Missouri state championship game. Following his decorated high school career, Davis committed to play college football at South Dakota State University.
Path to the NFL
Davis began his collegiate journey at South Dakota State in 2020, though his freshman season was postponed from the fall to the spring of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the unusual circumstances, Davis made an immediate impact, rushing for 818 yards and 10 touchdowns during his debut campaign. His performance established him as a foundational piece of the Jackrabbits’ offense.
During his sophomore season, Davis faced challenges including injuries that caused him to miss playing time. Nevertheless, he managed to gain 701 yards and score seven touchdowns on just 95 carries, demonstrating his efficiency when on the field. His perseverance through adversity reflected the resilience he developed growing up in Joplin.
Isaiah Davis Career
South Dakota State Breakthrough (2022–2023)
The 2022 season marked Davis’s emergence as one of the top running backs in the Football Championship Subdivision. He earned first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors while helping lead the Jackrabbits to their first national championship. Davis’s combination of power, speed, and vision made him a difficult player to defend.
His senior season in 2023 represented the pinnacle of his collegiate career. Davis was named MVFC Co-Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-MVFC for the second consecutive year. He was also recognized as a first-team FCS All-American. On the field, Davis rushed for 1,451 yards and 15 touchdowns, serving as the offensive engine for a Jackrabbits team that won the 2023 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game. His dominant performance throughout the season solidified his reputation as an elite FCS running back and positioned him well for the NFL Draft.
New York Jets Era (2024–Present)
Davis was selected by the New York Jets with the 173rd overall pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The selection marked the culmination of his journey from a tornado survivor in Joplin to a professional football player. Davis joined a Jets team looking to build upon its offensive foundation.
During his rookie season in 2024, Davis appeared in all 17 of New York’s games. He compiled 30 rushing attempts for 174 yards and one rushing touchdown while adding nine receptions for 75 yards and one receiving touchdown. His dual-threat ability provided the Jets with flexibility in their offensive schemes, and his special teams contributions earned him playing time throughout the season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Davis possesses a balanced skill set that combines physicality with elusiveness. At 6 feet 1 inch and 220 pounds, he has the size to handle between-the-tackles running while maintaining the speed to break contain on the outside. His vision allows him to identify cutback lanes quickly, and his contact balance helps him gain extra yards after initial contact. His experience as a receiver at South Dakota State translates to reliable hands out of the backfield, making him a valuable asset in passing situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
The 2025 season saw Davis increase his involvement in the Jets’ offense. He made 16 appearances and recorded 43 rushing attempts for 236 yards and one touchdown. He also caught 21 passes for 186 yards, demonstrating his growth as a receiving threat. However, his season ended prematurely when he was placed on season-ending injured reserve on January 3, 2026, due to a concussion. The injury cut short a promising campaign but underscored the physical challenges professional athletes face.
Isaiah Davis Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career with the New York Jets, Davis has contributed as both a rusher and receiver. His career totals reflect a developing player who continues to refine his craft at the professional level.
College Highlights
Davis’s collegiate career at South Dakota State was highlighted by remarkable consistency and championship success. He played a pivotal role in back-to-back FCS national championships in 2022 and 2023, rushing for over 1,400 yards in his final season while earning conference and national recognition. His 1,451-yard junior season included 15 touchdowns and demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest level of FCS football.
Professional Career Statistics
In two seasons with the Jets, Davis has accumulated 410 rushing yards on 73 attempts with an average of 5.6 yards per carry and two rushing touchdowns. As a receiver, he has caught 30 passes for 261 yards and one receiving touchdown. His 5.6-yard rushing average indicates his ability to generate explosive plays when given opportunities.
| Competition Level | Games Played | Rushing Yards | Rushing Avg | Rushing TD | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Receiving TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (Career) | 33 | 410 | 5.6 | 2 | 30 | 261 | 1 |
| 2024 NFL Season | 17 | 174 | 5.8 | 1 | 9 | 75 | 1 |
| 2025 NFL Season | 16 | 236 | 5.5 | 1 | 21 | 186 | 0 |
Isaiah Davis Family
Family Background
Isaiah Davis’s family experienced a life-changing event when their home in Joplin, Missouri, was destroyed during the 2011 Joplin tornado. Davis and his brother survived by taking shelter under a mattress in a hallway, demonstrating the strength and resilience that would later characterize his football career. The experience shaped his perspective and approach to overcoming adversity.
Personal Life
Davis continues to carry the lessons from his upbringing in Joplin as he progresses through his professional football career. His journey from surviving a natural disaster to competing at the highest levels of college football and earning a spot in the NFL reflects his determination and work ethic. Davis maintains connections to his Missouri roots while focusing on his career with the New York Jets.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season represented a significant step forward in Isaiah Davis’s professional development. Appearing in 16 games, Davis saw increased involvement in the Jets’ offensive game plan. His 43 rushing attempts for 236 yards and one touchdown showed continued growth as a between-the-tackles runner, while his 21 receptions for 186 yards highlighted his expanding role as a receiving weapon out of the backfield.
Davis’s 5.5-yard rushing average demonstrated his ability to create positive plays when given the ball. His connection with the Jets’ coaching staff and offensive scheme continued to develop throughout the season, providing him with opportunities to contribute in various offensive packages. The consistency of his production indicated his transition from a rookie contributor to a reliable offensive weapon.
Unfortunately, Davis’s season ended on January 3, 2026, when he was placed on season-ending injured reserve due to a concussion. The injury occurred during a collision that forced him to leave the game and ultimately ended his campaign. Despite the premature conclusion, Davis’s 2025 performance established him as a player with significant potential for future contributions to the Jets’ offense. His combination of rushing ability and receiving skills positions him as a valuable asset as he works toward full recovery and continued success in his professional career.