Khalil Davis Gets “Most Explosive” Label, Talks To Joe
August 22nd, 2020
Explosive
Who’s the most explosive player among Buccaneers defensive linemen? It’s a rookie.
That was the clear message from Tampa Bay defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers yesterday.
Sixth-round pick Khalil Davis (8 sacks with Nebraska last year) has been a surprise.
“The thing that jumps out as we keep watching him, he’s a very explosive guy. Actually, I didn’t know he was as explosive as he was until [I was] hands-on watching him every day,” Rodgers said. “He’s a very explosive guy. He’s kind of got an element that we miss [with] all our other guys. You’re going to say they’re strong and powerful; now you add a quick-twitch type person and it’s a change of pace, an element that you didn’t have in the room.”
Davis showed the nation his explosiveness at the NFL Scouting Combine earlier this year. At 6-1, 308 pounds, he motored a 4.75-second 40-yard dash.
Today, Khalil turns 24 years old and kindly talked to JoeBucsFan.com about his time adjusting in Tampa.
“It was hard at first over the Zoom meetings. We’ve done so many walk-throughs and repetition of plays that it’s kind of, I would say not easy, but everything is starting to slow down a little bit,” Davis said. “And like I said, we’ve done so many walk-throughs that it’s kind of like just repetition now, like you know and it now we just have to sharpen the little things.”
Davis genuinely appreciates the many established veteran players around him. He said their daily focus is technique, technique, technique, and he’s been counseled that “your technique is what’s going to separate you” from your opponent.
Listening to Rodgers, and hearing the humble rookie, Joe’s very confident that Davis will make the 53-man roster.
If he’s standing out as an explosive NFL rusher, that’s not the kind of guy you kick to the curb before you get real look at him against NFL players.
Derrick Brooks drops some very interesting Tom Brady thoughts near the end of this new TAMPA TWO video, presented by The Identity Tampa Bay.
August 22nd, 2020 at 2:04 pm
Shame we don’t have any preseason games even 2
August 22nd, 2020 at 2:04 pm
Damn, that’s awesome. If this dude can make an impact as a 6th rounder, I’ll be happy as hell.
August 22nd, 2020 at 2:28 pm
Yes, he showed that great quickness and speed in college. High hopes for him.
August 22nd, 2020 at 2:29 pm
Two statements about Khalil Davis by coach Rodgers really standout to me. Keep in mind when you re-read these statements – coach Rodgers is also seeing Tevita Tuliʻakiʻono Tuipulotu Mosese Vaʻhae Fehoko Faletau Vea and Ndamukong Ngwa Suh (House of Spears) first hand everyday.:
“He’s kind of got an element that we miss [with] all our other guys.” AND
“now you add a quick-twitch type person and it’s a change of pace, an element that you didn’t have in the room.”
Dang – did Licht get a steal in the sixth round?
August 22nd, 2020 at 2:29 pm
4.75 for a quick-twitch 308 lb-er?
Isn’t thast in Sapp territory?
Is this guy a possible freak?
August 22nd, 2020 at 2:31 pm
Most “explosive” on offense…….Scotty Miller, of course…..explosive ralphing all over he field.
August 22nd, 2020 at 2:41 pm
6’1″ 308 lbs. Guys a fricken tree. And he can move it. Wow. Love to see him in there. We need depth!!
August 22nd, 2020 at 3:07 pm
Can’t wait for the games. I’m almost sick of the practice reports.
August 22nd, 2020 at 3:17 pm
Didn’t I read somewhere the reason he went in the sixth round was because his arms are quite short?
August 22nd, 2020 at 3:38 pm
Short arms, yes, but once he gets those arms on a QB, he’s going down.
August 22nd, 2020 at 3:50 pm
Happy 24th Birthday Khalil. I have a feeling by the end of the year we will all want to get a Bucs #94 jersey to wear for years to come!!
August 22nd, 2020 at 4:33 pm
THIS I like!
August 22nd, 2020 at 4:37 pm
Can never have too much beef and quickness on the D-line. Both as a backup and a rotational player, he could see a good amount of playing time this year. Technique is key, and the experience you need to hone that technique can only be found in real action. 3 weeks til show time!
August 22nd, 2020 at 5:02 pm
Would be a great 3 technique guy. Maybe we switch up to 4 – 3 once in awhile. Bowles will find ways to get the most out of all of the guys on defense.
August 22nd, 2020 at 5:24 pm
Great Pick in the 6th.. being 24 right after the draft hurt is stock also!! Pretty crazy RoJo just turned!! RoJo even younger than ke’shawn Vaughn by a few months!! Khalil has a bright future on our line!
August 22nd, 2020 at 5:25 pm
Didn’t complete!! RoJo just turned 23! Looking forward to seeing him shine this season also!
August 22nd, 2020 at 6:59 pm
Well fans, you said preseason games were meaningless.YOU GOT YOUR WISH! Now they get to decide roster spots without even seeing them compete in a somewhat real nfl game environment. All of your whining finally paid off.
August 22nd, 2020 at 7:22 pm
If he can be solid contributor then the pick was well worth it. When you can hit on guys this late in the draft you can build a super bowl contender. Can’t wait to see the young man on the field. No preseason games is killing me and making it hard to come up with my draft kings strategy for the year 😂.
August 22nd, 2020 at 8:00 pm
Perhaps he’ll replace Gholston on 3rd and long for the opposing team.
August 22nd, 2020 at 8:14 pm
There are 2 talented Bucs rookies that got taken later, or not at all, in part due to their arm length. Khalil Davis has 31.50” arms, and John Molchon has 31.13”. It’ll be interesting to see how it affects their careers. Bruce Arians has said that Molchon looks like an NFL player, so we’ll see.
August 22nd, 2020 at 8:16 pm
Really cool to hear unexpected names to pop up. Didnt know anything about Davis until right now. This dont mean he’ll pan out but it’s good to hear he’s on path to earn himself a chance.
The more names like this we hear about the better. So far we heard Scotty Miller getting some mention too. Hopefully we can start adding a couple names to that list in the next week or so.
August 22nd, 2020 at 8:43 pm
After watching some tape, if Khalil makes the team…give him #99!!!
August 22nd, 2020 at 9:15 pm
And it is his birthday today eh? Coincidence joe?
August 22nd, 2020 at 9:36 pm
I loved his college film after we drafted him. Another monster with speed in the middle. Nacho and Davis doesn’t make us immediately desperate for DT when Suh leaves. Edge in first round 2021.
August 22nd, 2020 at 11:22 pm
Happy birthday, Mr. Davis!
August 22nd, 2020 at 11:43 pm
I was super impressed with all of Davis’s Combine numbers but went back and watched all available videos of him at Nebraska where he wasn’t much more than just a guy. But with his athleticism and great coaching he could be pretty good. Geno Atkins had great Combine numbers and so so college production as well. Both were a little shorter with incredible get offs and not long arms. Hopefully, Davis can do something worthy in the NFL. His tape showed more of a try hard guy with good athleticism, not a great get off (though his numbers suggest otherwise).
August 23rd, 2020 at 10:32 am
He has good height, also, and is built like a stout tree. He should be a great replacement for Suh next year. He will be a big help in the rotation this year too. Notice that our GM got a great haul in his last class. Thanks Licht!!!
August 23rd, 2020 at 7:42 pm
So far this draft class is looking good from top to bottom!
Even a role/rotational player brought into play for a special situation and surprising the opposition can make a difference in even one more win per season.