Former Joplin RB Isaiah Davis talks NFL future

The game of football has given former Joplin standout running back Isaiah Davis plenty of memorable life experiences. 

Another big moment awaits him this weekend—the NFL Draft.

“I have been dreaming of this since I was five years old,” Davis said about the possibility of hearing his name called during the draft. “Everything I have ever worked for in life is to put myself in this position. I cannot really put into words how I’ll feel in the moment, but it’s bigger than me. It’s about the people around me who have supported me.  

“My family is my why. I just want to put myself in a position to take care of myself and the loved ones around me to make sure they are good and don’t have any stress. Growing up, my parents didn’t make the most money … but they made sure I always had a smile on my face or money in my pocket. … They made sure I had it rather than them. I am appreciative of them, my grandparents, my aunts and uncles—anyone who has helped me (along the way).”    

While it will be a dream come true for Davis to hear his name called during the NFL Draft, football wasn’t always in his future plans. Truth be told, in high school, Davis wasn’t sure what he was going to do until South Dakota State reached out to him and he committed following his junior season.

Before leaving for Brookings, South Dakota, Davis gave Joplin a going away present after rushing for 2,283 and 45 touchdowns his senior season in 2019 while helping to lead the Eagles to the Class 6 state title game.

Following three productive years at SDSU. Davis stepped into the lead role in the backfield and wrapped up his collegiate career in style, helping lead South Dakota State to a second straight FCS National Championship. During his senior season, Davis averaged 6.7 yards per carry and rushed for 1,578 yards and 18 touchdowns. For his efforts, he was named the Missouri Valley Conference co-Offensive Player of the Year.

“I am not perfect,” Davis said when asked what he improved on the most throughout college. “What people can do to achieve more things in life is to work on the things they aren’t good with or the things they can improve on. For me being a bigger back, my feet weren’t the best. I had the ability to have great feet. … It took consistent work and disciplining myself. You’re only going to get out what you put into it.”  

Following a successful career with the Jackrabbits at South Dakota State, Davis showed off his talent in the Senior Bowl and then received life-changing news—he had been invited to participate in the NFL Combine from February 29 to March 3 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

If your dream is to get to the NFL, getting an invite to the combine is a good start at accomplishing those dreams. For four days, Davis competed with the best running backs in the country.

“I have been blessed,” Davis said. “God has his vision for me. This is what he set out for me to do. That is why I firmly believe everything happens for a purpose.”

After spending several weeks in Texas working out following the combine, Davis returned to Brookings, South Dakota, to prepare for one more major step in accomplishing his dreams and prepare for his SDSU Pro Day. 

“I definitely enjoyed the (combine and Senior Bowl experience),” Davis said. “I enjoyed it as a small school guy seeing big-school guys. That was a little different at first. It didn’t wow me as much as I thought it would. It almost felt like finally the work had paid off, even though it hasn’t yet. As far as setting goals for myself like getting to the Senior Bowl or going to the combine, when I got there, it didn’t feel like I didn’t belong. I felt like I was supposed to be there.” 

Now, Davis has to play the waiting game. He has done all he can to solidify his draft stock now just has to wait for his phone to ring this weekend. Davis said has plans to hold a draft party in Kansas City, making sure everyone who attends has something to do rather than just stare at him all night long. 

When asked if he had a preference of teams, he said just playing in the NFL would be a dream come true. He did say there were a couple of teams who had specific interest in him—the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos. Of course, playing for his local fan favorite Kansas City Chiefs would be amazing as well. 

Regardless of where he goes or what jersey he is wearing, Davis knows one thing will always be certain—he has a support system in Joplin forever.

“It means everything to me,” Davis said of his support in Joplin. “The constant support and people who believe in me is the reason why I can be so successful. …  Hopefully, over the next couple of years, I can stay on the right path and do the right things and eventually invest back in the people who have believed and supported me.”

If you want to hear the full interview with Isaiah Davis, click here.