Akeem Davis-Gaither

Summary

Akeem Brian Davis-Gaither (born September 21, 1997) is an American football linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Appalachian State.

Akeem Davis-Gaither
No. 59 – Cincinnati Bengals
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1997-09-21) September 21, 1997 (age 26)
Thomasville, North Carolina, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:228 lb (103 kg)
Career information
High school:Thomasville (NC)
College:Appalachian State (2015–2019)
NFL draft:2020 / Round: 4 / Pick: 107
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
  • Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year (2019)
  • First-team All-Sun Belt (2019)
  • Second-team All-Sun Belt (2018)
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles:122
Sacks:0.5
Forced fumbles:1
Fumble recoveries:1
Interceptions:1
Pass deflections:7
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early years edit

Davis-Gaither attended Thomasville High School in Thomasville, North Carolina. As a senior in 2015, he had 115 tackles with five sacks and also had eight rushing touchdowns as a running back. He committed to Appalachian State University to play college football.

College career edit

Davis-Gaither played at Appalachian State from 2015 to 2019.[1][2] As a senior in 2019, he was the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year after recording 101 tackles, five sacks and an interception.[3][4] For his career, Davis-Gaither had 201 tackles, 6.5 sacks and the interception.[5]

Professional career edit

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span Bench press
6 ft 1+12 in
(1.87 m)
224 lb
(102 kg)
31+18 in
(0.79 m)
9+12 in
(0.24 m)
21 reps
All values from NFL Combine[6][7]

Davis-Gaither was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round with the 107th pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.[8] In Week 17 against the Baltimore Ravens, Davis-Gaither recorded his first career interception off a pass thrown by Lamar Jackson during the 38–3 loss.[9]

On November 9, 2021, Davis-Gaither was placed on injured reserve after suffering a foot injury in Week 9.[10] In 2022, Davis recorded a career high 46 tackles and his first fumble recovery. He also intercepted a pass in the Bengals wildcard playoff win against the Ravens.

On March 13, 2024, Davis-Gaither signed a one-year contract extension with the Bengals.[11]

References edit

  1. ^ Journal, Ethan Joyce Winston-Salem. "Akeem Davis-Gaither wondered if App State would be the right place for him. Now his patience is paying off". Winston-Salem Journal.
  2. ^ By, Steve Behr. "Davis-Gaither gives App State power and quickness at LB". Watauga Democrat.
  3. ^ Duprez, Mike. "Davis-Gaither thrilled over award". The Dispatch.
  4. ^ Journal, Ethan Joyce Winston-Salem. "No. 21 App State's Darrynton Evans, Akeem Davis-Gaither win Sun Belt offensive and defensive player of the year awards". Winston-Salem Journal.
  5. ^ How Appalachian State’s Davis-Gaither went from afterthought to a top LB in NFL Draft
  6. ^ "Akeem Davis-Gaither Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  7. ^ "Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State, OLB, 2020 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  8. ^ Marcum, Jason (April 25, 2020). "Bengals select Akeem Davis-Gaither in Round 4 of 2020 NFL Draft". Cincy Jungle. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  9. ^ "Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals - January 3rd, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  10. ^ "Bengals Make Four Roster Moves Ahead Of The Bye". Bengals.com. November 9, 2021.
  11. ^ "Bengals Re-Sign Akeem Davis-Gaither". Bengals.com. March 13, 2024.

External links edit

  • Appalachian State Mountaineers bio