University of Kentucky senior running back Ray Davis has been recognized for his outstanding performance on the field, earning a spot on Sports Illustrated’s All-America Second Team. This announcement comes as Davis confirms that he will be participating in the upcoming TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on December 29th.
Standing at 5-10 and weighing 216 pounds, Davis, a graduate transfer from San Francisco, had an impressive season. He accumulated 1,066 yards on 186 carries, scoring 13 touchdowns rushing. Additionally, he had 317 yards on 29 catches with a remarkable seven touchdowns receiving. Davis concluded the regular season as the program’s record holder for single-season touchdowns (20) and scoring (120 points), and he leads the SEC in both categories. Furthermore, he currently ranks 13th on the program’s list for single-season rushing yards with 1,066.
What sets Davis apart is his unique achievement of having amassed over 1,000 rushing yards at three different Division I schools, including Temple and Vanderbilt. He also became the first player in SEC history to achieve 1,000-yard seasons at two league schools, with a total of 1,042 rushing yards last season at Vanderbilt. In terms of career rushing yards, Davis holds the fourth position among active players in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision with a total of 3,563 yards.
One standout performance for Davis was against Florida, where he ran for an impressive 280 yards, tying a school record with four touchdowns. His efforts in that game earned him National Player of the Week honors from two organizations.
Off the field, Davis has excelled academically as well. He graduated from Vanderbilt in 2022 with a degree in communications studies and will be receiving an undergraduate certificate in business from UK next week.
In addition to his individual honors, Davis has been recognized as a Second-Team All-SEC by the coaches and a First-Team All-SEC by AP and USA Today.
Kentucky’s postseason journey will continue with the 79th TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, where they will face off against the No. 22-ranked Clemson on December 29th in Jacksonville, Florida. The Wildcats will be looking to secure a victory at noon ET at Bill Gay Grounds at EverBank Stadium, with the game being televised by ESPN. Tickets for the game are available online or by phone.
This appearance in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl extends Kentucky’s remarkable streak of eight consecutive bowl appearances, all under the leadership of Coach Stoops. The Wildcats are one of only three SEC teams, alongside Alabama and Georgia, to achieve this remarkable feat.
For more details about the UK football team, you can visit their official website and follow them on their social media platforms.
