Domenique Davis Bio
Domenique Davis (born February 28, 1996) is an American professional football defensive tackle currently playing for the Dallas Renegades of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the UNC Pembroke Braves before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2020. Davis has spent parts of multiple seasons with NFL franchises including the New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, and Pittsburgh Steelers, while also establishing himself in spring football leagues with the Houston Gamblers of the USFL.
Early Life and Background
Domenique Davis was born on February 28, 1996, in Laurinburg, North Carolina. He attended Scotland High School in Laurinburg, where he developed his skills as a football player before advancing to the collegiate level. His hometown in rural North Carolina provided the foundation for his journey toward professional football.
Following his high school graduation, Davis began his college football career at Shaw University in 2014. He then transferred to the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where he played for the UNC Pembroke Braves from 2017 through 2019. His collegiate career helped prepare him for the challenges of professional football, though he went undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Path to Professional Football
After completing his college football career at UNC Pembroke without being selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, Davis signed with the New York Jets on April 25, 2020. His first professional opportunity came quickly, though his tenure with the Jets was brief. He was released by the team on July 31, 2020, with a failed physical designation, ending his initial stint in the NFL.
Undeterred by the setback, Davis continued pursuing his professional football career. He entered the United States Football League and was drafted by the Houston Gamblers in the 26th round of the 2022 USFL Draft on February 23, 2022. This opportunity allowed him to showcase his abilities as a defensive tackle in a professional league format, where he could develop his craft and attract attention from NFL teams.
Domenique Davis Career
Houston Gamblers (2022)
Davis made an immediate impact with the Houston Gamblers in the USFL. Playing in 10 games during the 2022 season, he recorded 24 solo tackles and 4 sacks, demonstrating his ability to disrupt opposing offenses and pressure quarterbacks. His performance in the spring league provided valuable film and experience that kept him on the radar of NFL franchises.
Cincinnati Bengals (2022–2024)
Davis joined the Cincinnati Bengals on July 26, 2022, beginning a recurring relationship with the franchise. He was initially released during roster cuts on August 30 but was signed to the practice squad the following day. His opportunity for game action came on October 31, when he was elevated to the active roster ahead of a Monday Night Football matchup against the Cleveland Browns due to starting nose tackle D.J. Reader’s knee injury.
He made his NFL debut that day, playing 20 snaps and recording 2 tackles in a reserve role. Davis was signed to the active roster on November 5 before being waived just three days later and returning to the practice squad. Following the 2022 season, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Bengals on January 31, 2023. The pattern continued throughout 2023, with Davis moving between the active roster and practice squad multiple times as depth at the defensive tackle position. He was signed to the active roster on December 22, 2023, when D.J. Reader suffered a season-ending quadriceps injury.
The 2024 season saw Davis again bouncing between the Bengals’ roster and practice squad. He was waived on August 27, re-signed to the practice squad, and then released on October 22. His career statistics with the Bengals include 3 total tackles at the NFL level.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2024–2025)
Davis signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 6, 2024, joining their practice squad. He was released by the Steelers on December 6. He returned to Cincinnati’s fold, signing with the Bengals practice squad on December 24, 2024.
On January 14, 2025, Davis signed a reserve/future contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, marking his return to the franchise. He was waived in late July 2025 and re-signed the same day. He was again waived in late August with an injury designation as part of final roster cuts and reverted to injured reserve. Davis was released from injured reserve on October 28, 2025, continuing his journeyman career in professional football.
Dallas Renegades (2026–Present)
Looking ahead, Davis signed with the Dallas Renegades of the United Football League on January 21, 2026. This move to the UFL provides him with another opportunity to compete at a high level while remaining visible to NFL scouts and executives.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a defensive tackle, Davis brings size and physicality to the interior of the defensive line. His listed height of 6 feet 2 inches and weight of 315 pounds give him the frame to anchor against the run and push the pocket against passing attacks. His 4 sacks with the Houston Gamblers demonstrated his ability to generate pressure from the interior, while his multiple stints with NFL teams highlight his value as a reliable depth player who can step in when needed due to injuries.
Notable Events and Milestones
Davis made his NFL debut on Monday Night Football against the Cleveland Browns on October 31, 2022, a significant milestone in his professional career. Playing 20 defensive snaps in that high-profile game, he recorded 2 tackles filling in for the injured D.J. Reader. His ability to be elevated and contribute on short notice demonstrated his readiness and professionalism within the Bengals organization.
Domenique Davis Career Wins
Throughout his professional career spanning the NFL and USFL, Davis has accumulated meaningful production at the spring football level while serving as a reliable depth piece in the NFL.
USFL Highlights
During his 2022 season with the Houston Gamblers, Davis recorded 24 solo tackles and 4 sacks in 10 games. These numbers represent his most productive statistical output as a professional, showcasing his ability to be a difference-maker along the defensive line when given regular playing time. His draft selection in the 26th round and subsequent production with Houston demonstrated that he could compete and excel outside the traditional NFL structure.
Other Wins and Performances
In the NFL, Davis has appeared in regular-season games with the Cincinnati Bengals, recording 3 total tackles across his multiple stints with the franchise. His ability to earn elevations to the active roster during critical moments of the season, particularly when replacing injured starters, speaks to the trust coaches placed in his preparation and abilities.
Domenique Davis Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available information regarding Domenique Davis’s family background, including his parents, siblings, or any family lineage connected to football or athletics, is not extensively documented in available sources.
Personal Life
Davis was born and raised in Laurinburg, North Carolina. He attended Scotland High School in his hometown before pursuing college football at Shaw and later UNC Pembroke. Information about his marital status, spouse, or children is not publicly available. Davis maintains a professional approach to his career, demonstrating adaptability through multiple team affiliations across multiple leagues.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented another challenging year in Davis’s professional journey. He began the year with a reserve/future contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers signed on January 14. After being waived and re-signed twice during training camp, he was waived during final roster cuts in late August with an injury designation and placed on injured reserve. His season ended when he was released from injured reserve on October 28, 2025.
The injury designation during final roster cuts suggested that Davis was dealing with a physical issue that affected his availability. Despite the setback, his continued roster movements indicate that teams view him as a viable depth option at the defensive tackle position. His experience in both traditional NFL settings and spring football leagues like the USFL and UFL provides him with a diverse skill set and understanding of multiple defensive systems.
Looking ahead, Davis’s signing with the Dallas Renegades in January 2026 marks the next chapter of his career. The UFL provides an opportunity for him to showcase his abilities during the spring season while remaining connected to professional football. His journeyman career demonstrates the perseverance required to maintain a professional football career, as he has continued to find opportunities despite the inherent challenges of being an undrafted player competing for roster spots on NFL teams.