The meteoric rise for Jamin Davis has resulted in the Kentucky linebacker being selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The Washington Football Team selected Davis at No. 19 overall. He was a late bloomer and one of the fast risers in recent months up draft boards.

Who could have seen that coming after Davis entered the 2020 season with one career start in Lexington?

Davis has now become the latest example of the incredible development currently being at Kentucky under Mark Stoops’ watch as the Wildcat defender caught the eyes of many NFL evaluators after registering a 4.37 40-yard dash, a 42-inch vertical jump and an 11-foot broad jump during Kentucky’s Pro Day event.

Those numbers led many to Davis’ tape, which showcased the linebacker’s impact all over the field for the Wildcats last fall. Davis led Kentucky with 102 tackles, in addition to having four tackles for loss, 1,5 sacks, two pass breakups, three interceptions (one was returned for a touchdown), a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick.

Davis was also named SEC Defensive Player of the Week after racking up 15 tackles against Vanderbilt.

Now Davis will serve as the latest example of Kentucky’s staff finding a lightly recruited prospect and developing him into an NFL player.