Ashtyn Davis Bio
Ashtyn Davis (born October 10, 1996) is an American professional football safety who has played in the National Football League (NFL). He first entered the league with the New York Jets in 2020 and later joined the Miami Dolphins. Davis also earned recognition during his college years as a track and field hurdler at the University of California, Berkeley.
Early Life and Background
Ashtyn Davis grew up in Santa Cruz, California, where he attended Santa Cruz High School. As a youth, he played wide receiver on the football team and also joined the school’s track program. His high school quarterback encouraged him to pursue sprint work so that he could become a faster football player, an experience that helped shape his athletic development.
Although Davis was lightly recruited as a football prospect, his athletic profile began to attract attention late in his senior year. Track coaches from several college programs noticed him after he produced a strong performance in the 110 meter hurdles at a county meet, despite never having competed in the event before. That single showing shifted the direction of his athletic career.
Path to American Football
Davis arrived at the University of California, Berkeley, intending to focus on track and field, where he joined the program as a walk-on. He later tried out for the California Golden Bears football team during the spring of his freshman year and earned a roster spot. Over time, he transitioned from a developmental athlete into a defensive contributor at the Pac-12 level.
By the second half of his redshirt sophomore year, Davis had climbed the depth chart and started at safety alongside Jaylinn Hawkins. His progress on the field, combined with his continued work in track and field, positioned him as one of the conference’s most intriguing two-sport athletes. By his redshirt junior year, he had established himself as a legitimate NFL prospect.
Ashtyn Davis Career
Early Career (2018-2019)
As a redshirt junior, Davis recorded 56 tackles, five passes broken up, and four interceptions while also returning 24 kicks for 629 yards and a touchdown. His performance earned him First-team All-Pac-12 honors from the Associated Press, Athlon Sports, and Pro Football Focus. He also received honorable mention recognition from the Pac-12 Conference coaches.
Davis entered his senior season on the watchlist for the Paul Hornung Award and was rated the third-best safety prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft by ESPN analyst Mel Kiper. He finished as a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, which honors the nation’s top walk-on. In track and field, he won the Pac-12 110 meter hurdle title as a senior and was named Second-team All-American outdoors and an NCAA Indoor All-American in the 60 meter hurdles.
New York Jets Breakthrough (2020-2024)
The New York Jets selected Davis in the third round, 68th overall, of the 2020 NFL Draft, making him the sixth safety chosen that year. He signed a four-year, $4.91 million contract that included an initial signing bonus of $1.36 million. Davis appeared in 10 games with five starts as a rookie, finishing with 36 combined tackles, one pass deflection, and a fumble recovery before a foot injury ended his first season.
In 2021, Davis returned from injury and was named the starting strong safety from Week 5 onward. He recorded 62 combined tackles, three pass deflections, two interceptions, and half a sack across 13 games. In 2022, his production was limited by a hamstring injury, and he finished with three combined tackles, one pass deflection, and one interception in 14 games with no starts, appearing primarily on special teams.
Davis produced one of his strongest seasons in 2023, starting five of 17 games and recording 37 combined tackles, eight pass deflections, three interceptions, and three fumble recoveries. Pro Football Focus graded him at 74.7 overall for the year. In 2024, he appeared in 15 games with one start and posted 35 combined tackles, two pass deflections, and two interceptions before departing the Jets in free agency.
Miami Dolphins Era (2025)
On March 13, 2025, Davis signed with the Miami Dolphins on a one-year, $3 million contract. He made 15 appearances, including 12 starts, during the regular season, recording one interception, four pass deflections, one forced fumble, and 65 combined tackles. His role expanded as the year progressed, giving him an opportunity to showcase his range as a starting safety.
Driving Style and Strengths
Davis is recognized for his versatility, range, and tackling reliability at the safety position. His track and field background, particularly as a hurdler, contributes to his acceleration and ability to cover ground in space. He has shown growth in pass coverage, with multiple career interceptions and pass deflections recorded across his NFL seasons.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his standout moments, Davis recorded a career-high 51-yard interception return against the Buffalo Bills in 2023 and posted a career-high two interceptions in a Week 17 victory against the Miami Dolphins during the 2024 season. His selection as a third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft also marked him as one of the highest-drafted California Golden Bears defensive backs of that class.
Ashtyn Davis Career Wins
Ashtyn Davis has not been highlighted as a primary statistical leader in win totals, but his individual contributions have included interceptions, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries, and tackles that have impacted game outcomes. His role on multiple defenses has given him consistent playing time as a starter and rotational defender.
New York Jets Highlights
During his tenure with the Jets from 2020 through 2024, Davis recorded multiple interceptions, fumble recoveries, and pass breakups. His 2023 season was particularly productive, with three interceptions and three fumble recoveries. His career-high two-interception performance in 2024 against the Miami Dolphins served as a signature statistical outing.
Other Wins and Performances
At the collegiate level, Davis earned First-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2018 and Second-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2019. He also won the Pac-12 110 meter hurdles title during his senior track season at California, and was named Second-team All-American in the event, along with NCAA Indoor All-American recognition in the 60 meter hurdles.
Ashtyn Davis Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public sources do not provide detailed information about Ashtyn Davis’s parents or extended family. He grew up in Santa Cruz, California, and developed his athletic foundation within that community before moving on to collegiate athletics at the University of California, Berkeley.
Personal Life
There is no publicly verified information available regarding Ashtyn Davis’s spouse, partner, or children. His professional activities and athletic career have remained the primary focus of his public profile.
2025 Season Performance
Davis joined the Miami Dolphins in March 2025 on a one-year, $3 million contract and quickly carved out a starting role in the secondary. Across 15 regular-season appearances, including 12 starts, he recorded one interception, four pass deflections, one forced fumble, and 65 combined tackles. His experience and tackling consistency provided stability for the Dolphins’ defensive backfield.
His production during the 2025 season reflected the development he had shown during his later years with the Jets. With expanded responsibilities as a starter, Davis continued to add to his career interception totals while contributing in run support and special teams coverage. His single-season output marked one of his most complete statistical years as a professional.
As Davis moved beyond the 2025 campaign, his contract with the Dolphins concluded, and the next chapter of his career became the focus of league attention. His performance during the year positioned him as a viable veteran safety option heading into the next offseason.