Marlon Davidson Bio
Marlon Davidson (born May 11, 1998) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Auburn Tigers and entered the league as a second-round pick of the 2020 NFL draft. Across his professional career he has also played for the Atlanta Falcons, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Tennessee Titans.
Listed at 6 feet 3 inches and 303 pounds, Davidson lines up on the interior of the defensive line and is known for his quick first step and ability to disrupt both the run and the pass. He earned First Team All-Southeastern Conference honors in 2019 after a standout senior season at Auburn. His professional journey has included stints on active rosters and practice squads as he has continued to develop his craft.
Early Life and Background
Marlon Davidson was born on May 11, 1998, in Greenville, Alabama. He grew up in the same small Alabama city where he would later become a local football star at Greenville High School. Davidson was rated as a five-star prospect coming out of high school, drawing attention from college recruiters across the country.
His older brother, Kenneth Carter, played football at Auburn and later joined the program’s coaching staff. That family connection helped shape Davidson’s early path toward the Tigers, giving him a familiar face on campus when he arrived as a freshman. The Alabama football culture in and around Greenville also provided a steady stream of formative experiences for a young defensive lineman.
Path to American Football
Davidson signed with Auburn as part of the Tigers’ 2016 recruiting class, joining a program with deep roots in producing NFL defensive linemen. He made an immediate impact in college, starting all 13 games as a freshman and becoming the first Auburn freshman to start on the defensive line since 1985. That debut season also earned him a place on the All-Southeastern Conference freshman team.
During his sophomore year, Davidson was named the SEC defensive player of the week following a strong showing against Missouri. He continued to grow into one of the most disruptive interior linemen in the conference, building a résumé that included tackles for loss, quarterback pressures, and steady run defense. By the end of his junior season in 2019, he had cemented himself as a top NFL prospect.
Marlon Davidson Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
The Atlanta Falcons selected Marlon Davidson in the second round with the 47th overall pick of the 2020 NFL draft. His rookie season was interrupted when he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on October 13, 2020, before being activated on October 26. Davidson worked into the defensive line rotation as a rookie and gradually earned more responsibility as the 2020 season progressed.
In his second NFL season, Davidson posted his first career interception on December 5, 2021, returning a Tom Brady pass for a pick-six. The play remains one of the signature moments of his time in Atlanta. His third season was cut short when he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and was placed on injured reserve on September 1, 2022, before being released on October 25 of that year.
Atlanta Falcons Breakthrough (2020–2021)
Davidson’s most productive stretch with the Falcons came during his first two seasons in the league. He appeared in regular duty on the defensive interior, contributing as both a run-stopper and interior pass-rusher. His role continued to expand in 2021 as he gained comfort within Atlanta’s defensive scheme.
The pick-six off Tom Brady in December 2021 served as Davidson’s breakthrough moment at the NFL level, showing off the ball skills and awareness that had made him a five-star recruit years earlier. Although injuries later slowed his progress with Atlanta, the early-career flashes gave the Falcons a glimpse of his potential.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2023)
On May 8, 2023, Davidson signed with the San Francisco 49ers as he looked to revive his career on the West Coast. He was waived on August 29 before being re-signed to the practice squad. Davidson was released again on October 4, ending a short stay in the Bay Area.
Although his time in San Francisco was brief, the stint allowed him to work within one of the league’s most respected defensive organizations. The exposure to the 49ers’ defensive line room added another layer to his professional development.
Tennessee Titans Era (2023–2024)
On October 25, 2023, Davidson signed with the Tennessee Titans practice squad, quickly earning a chance to contribute. He was activated from the practice squad in Week 14 and played against the Miami Dolphins. One week later he recorded his first sack as a Titan against the Houston Texans, and he was signed to the active roster on December 22, 2023.
Across the final five games of the 2023 season, Davidson recorded ten total tackles and a sack, showing he could hold his own in a rotation. He re-signed with the Titans on May 6, 2024, but was placed on injured reserve on August 16 and missed the entirety of the 2024 season while recovering.
Houston Texans Era (2025–Present)
On August 1, 2025, Davidson signed with the Houston Texans in search of a fresh opportunity. He was released with an injury settlement on August 14 before being re-signed to the practice squad on October 7. The Texans organization offered him a chance to compete for a role on the defensive line.
Through his early time in Houston, Davidson has continued to work toward a return to the active roster. His veteran experience and pass-rushing traits give the Texans another developmental option along the interior defensive front.
Driving Style and Strengths
Davidson is best known for his quick first step off the snap and his ability to penetrate into opposing backfields. He combines above-average size with active hands, allowing him to hold up against the run while also collapsing pockets as an interior rusher. His experience across multiple defensive schemes has made him a flexible piece who can line up in several techniques along the defensive line.
Notable Events and Milestones
The pick-six interception off Tom Brady on December 5, 2021 stands as the defining highlight of Davidson’s NFL career. Being selected 47th overall in the 2020 NFL draft marked his arrival as a professional, while his 2019 First Team All-SEC selection capped a decorated college résumé. His first sack as a member of the Tennessee Titans added another milestone to a journey that has carried him across four NFL organizations.
Marlon Davidson Career Wins
Marlon Davidson’s career has been defined more by disruptive plays and defensive contributions than by traditional win totals. Across his time with the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, and Houston Texans, he has built a reputation as a rotational interior defender capable of generating pressure and finishing plays in the backfield.
College and NFL Highlights
At Auburn, Davidson earned First Team All-SEC honors in 2019 after a season in which he was a consistent presence on the Tigers’ defensive front. He also became the first Auburn freshman to start on the defensive line since 1985, a notable early milestone in his college career. His selection in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft confirmed his status as one of the top defensive line prospects of that class.
In the NFL, his top highlight remains the December 2021 pick-six against Tom Brady while with the Atlanta Falcons. He also recorded his first sack as a Titan during the 2023 season and added ten total tackles across the final five games of that year.
Other Performances
Davidson has spent time on practice squads with both the San Francisco 49ers and the Houston Texans, showing the perseverance required to remain active in the NFL. His ability to bounce back from injuries, including the 2022 arthroscopic knee surgery and the 2024 injured-reserve stint, has been a quiet but important part of his professional story.
Marlon Davidson Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Marlon Davidson grew up in Greenville, Alabama, in a family with strong ties to Auburn football. His brother, Kenneth Carter, played for the Auburn Tigers and later joined the program’s coaching staff. That connection gave Marlon a built-in mentor and helped guide his decision to sign with the Tigers out of high school.
Personal Life
Davidson’s personal life remains largely private, with limited public information beyond his football career. He was born and raised in Greenville, Alabama, and continues to be identified with the communities that shaped him as a player and as a person.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a transition year for Marlon Davidson. After signing with the Houston Texans on August 1, he was released with an injury settlement on August 14, before being brought back on the practice squad on October 7. The path back to the active roster has required patience and persistence.
Throughout his career, Davidson has appeared in games across multiple franchises and has produced 39 total tackles, 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 2 pass deflections, 1 interception, and 1 defensive touchdown as of 2025. Those numbers reflect a player who has consistently contributed when given the opportunity, even if his opportunities have come in smaller doses.
Looking ahead, Davidson’s outlook in Houston will depend on his health and the team’s needs along the defensive line. His experience across four NFL organizations and his track record of disruptive plays position him as a candidate to compete for a larger role if he can stay on the field.