COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Former University of Maryland defensive back Sean Davis was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round (58th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft on Friday night.
With Davis' selection, Maryland has now had a player selected in 21 of the last 22 NFL Drafts. Davis is the highest Maryland player selected since Torrey Smith also went 58th overall in the second round in 2011.
Davis, a 2015 Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection, transitioned from safety to cornerback for the Terps during his senior season. He led the team with 70 solo tackles and finished the year with 88 total tackles.
Davis also had a nose for the ball, ranking second in the nation with five forced fumbles in 2015. That number ranks as the second-most in Maryland single-season history. The 6-1, 201 pound defensive back ranked fourth in the Big Ten with 5.8 solo tackles per game and he tied for the team lead with three interceptions.
Contributing since his arrival in College Park, Davis appeared in 50 career games with 40 starts. He became the first Maryland player to record 200 career solo tackles since current NFL star D'Qwell Jackson accomplished the feat in 2005. Davis also recorded his 300th career tackle at Michigan State this past season.
What They Are Saying...
Sean Davis:
On what it's like to be a Steeler:
“My dad loves the Steelers. It's awesome, I couldn't hope for anything better. It's the perfect situation."
On if his dad was excited and if he saw him tonight:
"Oh yeah, I'm looking right at him. He might be happier than me. He got his cool face on though, his poker face. I know deep inside, he's going crazy."
On how he can help cover tight ends:
"That's where I feel like my skill set is very handy. I'm big as a safety, strong as a linebacker, but I'm quick as a corner. I feel like the game is changing with these crazy athletic tight ends, so I feel like me being out there, I can cover those guys as well as fit into the run game. I'm just happy to be a part of it."
On how familiar he is with Defensive Backs Coach Carnell Lake:
"A great player. I got a chance to sit down and talk with him when I went on my visit. I just can't wait to get coached by one of the best defensive backs coaches out there."
Carnell Lake, Steelers Defensive Backs Coach:
On why they picked Sean Davis:
“He is a really productive player at two positions: safety and corner. He has been really productive in the tackling department. He has a good eye for playing the ball in the passing game. We really look forward to having him in the building. He is going to provide us with a lot of versatility and depth at a needed position, which is a safety for us. That's where we plan to play him. I think he will do an outstanding job there."
On Davis' Coverage skills:
"His coverage skills, in my opinion, are very good. He has a lot of experience covering slots and tight ends at safety, but he also played a year at corner which gives him even more experience. You take a player like that who last year played corner who is going to come in and play safety. The game will slow down quite a bit for him inside. It will be lot easier for him to cover. It's an added bonus for him to have experience in playing both positions in college."
On Davis' quality in run support:
"One of the things that was impressive to me about Sean Davis was when the ball broke loose, he made a lot of tackles. Three hundred tackles in college is a lot of tackles. There are maybe only a few more people that had more tackles than he did. Two of them were safeties. When you think about that, there is no other DB coming out of college football right now that has had as many tackles as Sean Davis has had.
– Maryland –
