Isaiah Davis Bio
Isaiah Davis (born February 21, 2002) is an American professional football running back for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Dakota State Jackrabbits and was selected by the Jets in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft. Listed at 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) and 220 lb (100 kg), Davis wears jersey number 32 and is recognized as a productive dual-threat back who contributes as both a runner and a pass catcher.
Early Life and Background
Isaiah Davis grew up in Joplin, Missouri, where he attended Joplin High School. His childhood was shaped by the devastating 2011 Joplin tornado, which destroyed his family’s home; he and his brother survived by sheltering under a mattress in a hallway of the house. The experience became part of his public story and helped motivate his drive to succeed in football.
Davis starred as a running back and linebacker at Joplin High School, posting 1,676 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns during his junior season. As a senior, he was named the Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year after rushing for 2,283 yards and 45 touchdowns on 253 carries, adding 19 receptions for 220 yards and two touchdowns, while also recording 52 tackles on defense. His senior season ended with a loss to De Smet Jesuit High School in the 2019 Class 6A Missouri state championship. Davis then committed to play college football at South Dakota State.
Path to American Football
Coming out of high school as one of Missouri’s most decorated running backs, Davis chose the FCS-level South Dakota State Jackrabbits over larger programs, betting on a program with a strong track record of producing professional running backs. The Missouri Valley Football Conference program offered a featured backfield role and a chance to compete for national titles at the FCS level.
Davis arrived at South Dakota State in 2020 and immediately slotted into the Jackrabbits’ running back rotation. His progression through the depth chart was steady, and by his sophomore season he had earned first-team All-MVFC recognition, setting up a junior campaign that would define his draft stock. His rise mirrored that of Jackrabbits backs who went on to NFL opportunities, positioning him for the 2024 draft cycle.
Isaiah Davis Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Davis’s freshman season at South Dakota State was postponed from the fall to the spring of 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, yet he still managed a strong debut. He rushed for 818 yards and 10 touchdowns, giving the Jackrabbits a reliable offensive option in a condensed spring schedule. The season established him as a foundational piece of the program’s backfield.
As a sophomore, Davis was slowed by injuries and played a limited role at times, finishing with 701 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 95 carries. Even in a reduced workload, his per-carry production and goal-line value remained clear, and he was named first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference.
South Dakota State Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Davis’s junior year marked his emergence as one of the top running backs in the FCS. He rushed for 1,451 yards and 15 touchdowns as the Jackrabbits captured the 2023 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game, earning his second consecutive first-team All-MVFC nod. He was also named MVFC Co-Offensive Player of the Year and First-Team FCS All-American in 2023.
His back-to-back FCS national championships in 2022 and 2023 cemented his status as a winner at the collegiate level and helped his draft evaluation. The combination of volume production, scoring efficiency, and big-game performances made Davis a priority late-round target in the 2024 NFL draft.
New York Jets Era (2024–Present)
Davis was selected with the 173rd overall pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft by the New York Jets, joining a young offensive backfield. During his rookie campaign he appeared in all 17 games, compiling 30 rushing attempts for 174 yards and one touchdown, while adding nine receptions for 75 yards and one touchdown as a reliable change-of-pace and third-down option.
His role expanded during the 2025 campaign, when he made 16 appearances for the Jets and recorded 43 rushing attempts for 236 yards and one touchdown, along with 21 receptions for 186 yards. On January 3, 2026, Davis was placed on season-ending injured reserve due to a concussion, closing out his second professional season. Through his first two NFL seasons he has totaled 73 rushing attempts for 410 yards and two rushing touchdowns, with 30 receptions for 261 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.
Driving Style and Strengths
Davis is a compact, downhill runner with the contact balance to finish runs between the tackles and the acceleration to threaten the second level. He is at his best on inside-zone and power concepts, and he is a willing pass protector who can stay on the field for early downs. His receiving ability, with 30 catches across his first two NFL seasons, gives the Jets flexibility in 11-personnel and two-minute situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Davis’s professional milestones include back-to-back FCS national championships at South Dakota State in 2022 and 2023 and his fifth-round selection by the Jets in 2024. His first NFL rushing touchdown and receiving touchdown both came during his 2024 rookie season, marking his arrival as a dual-threat contributor at the next level.
Isaiah Davis Career Wins
Isaiah Davis’s win resume is anchored at the collegiate level, where he helped South Dakota State claim two consecutive FCS national championships in 2022 and 2023. Those team titles represent the centerpiece of his verified championship résumé, supplemented by his First-Team FCS All-American and MVFC Co-Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2023.
South Dakota State Highlights
As a Jackrabbit, Davis contributed to a 2× FCS national championship run (2022 and 2023) and earned First-Team All-MVFC honors in both of those seasons. His 1,451 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns during the 2023 title run stood as the high-water mark of his college career, and his performance in the 2023 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game underscored his value in the biggest moments.
Other Wins & Performances
Davis was a two-time conference award winner, earning First-Team All-MVFC in 2022 and 2023 and sharing MVFC Co-Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2023. He has not yet posted a verifiable regular-season NFL win total headline, as his professional statistical profile is still in its early stages with the Jets.
Isaiah Davis Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Davis is from Joplin, Missouri, and publicly credits his family as a central part of his story, particularly his brother, with whom he survived the 2011 Joplin tornado by sheltering under a mattress in a hallway of their home. Beyond that well-documented bond, additional verified details about his parents or extended family are not publicly confirmed in available sources.
Personal Life
Publicly available information about Isaiah Davis’s personal life is limited to his hometown, his immediate family connection to his brother, and his commitment to his football career. There is no verified public information about a spouse or children, and he has kept most of his off-field life private since joining the Jets.
2025 Season Performance
Isaiah Davis’s 2025 season with the New York Jets represented a step forward in his role, with 16 appearances and 43 rushing attempts for 236 yards and one rushing touchdown. He also contributed as a receiver with 21 catches for 186 yards, giving the Jets a versatile complement in the backfield and a dependable option on early downs and in the passing game.
His second NFL season was cut short when he was placed on season-ending injured reserve on January 3, 2026, due to a concussion, ending his year before the playoffs. The placement interrupted a steady upward trajectory in usage from his rookie campaign, though his per-touch production and third-down value remained consistent.
Heading into the next NFL cycle, Davis’s combination of pass protection, receiving ability, and downhill running gives him a clear path to an expanded role in the Jets’ offense. His development through two professional seasons suggests he can be a steady rotation back with starting upside if he stays healthy and continues to refine his pass-game usage.
