With a pick in the fourth round of the draft, the Buffalo Bills chose Kentucky running back Ray Davis, who had an unusual journey from college to the NFL.
In Round 4, on Saturday, the Buffalo Bills selected a running back with a history in the Southeastern Conference.
After Georgia in 2022, Ray Davis of Kentucky, the No. 128 overall pick, will be a welcome change of pace for RB1 James Cook.
Here are three college-related details that set the 24-year-old Davis apart as a draft choice by the Bills.
Bills of Blue Grass
A long time has passed. Before choosing Davis on Saturday, Buffalo hadn’t selected a prospect from Kentucky since 2008.
16 years ago, the Bills selected wide receiver Stevie Johnson in the seventh round, and he went on to have three seasons with 1,000 yards or more in receptions.
In his one and only season as a UK player, Davis amassed 1,129 yards and 14 touchdowns through the air.
From Nashville to Lexington via Philadelphia
Before moving to SEC member Vanderbilt, Davis made 16 appearances in his first season of college with the Temple Owls (2019–20).
Following an injury-shortened 2021 season, Davis returned to lead the Commodores in rushing yards with 1,000 in 2022. After that, he traveled to Kentucky, where he made school history as the 11th athlete to surpass 1,000 running yards in a single season.
Prospect in Multiple Dimensions
At Kentucky, the hard-hitting running back showed promise as a wide receiver, leading the team in touchdown receptions with seven.
In 2023, Davis caught 33 passes for 323 yards. He was probably distinguished from other running-back possibilities by his ability to catch passes.
In the 2024 draft, the Bills choose Daequan Hardy with the No. 219 pick.
In the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills choose cornerback Daequan Hardy of the Penn State Nittany Lions with the 219th overall pick.
