BUFFALO, N.Y. — After striking fear in the defenses of the SEC, Ray Davis now gets to do damage against the defenses of the AFC.
“We’ve just been about that business man," said Jay Boulware, Davis' running backs coach at Kentucky. "He’s pushing me, I’m pushing him.”
Boulware coached the Bills’ fourth round pick in his only season at Kentucky. After rushing for 1,000 yards at Temple and at Vanderbilt, Davis had his best collegiate season as a Wildcat.
He ran for over 1,100 yards and set the school record with 21 total touchdowns, earning first-team All-SEC honors.
“He really worked hard trimming down," Boulware said. "He improved his explosive runs. He had fewer carries and more yards here at Kentucky, so I think that says a lot about the guy and how hard he works,” Boulware said.
Davis excelled by showing he was an all-purpose back.
“He had a bunch of receiving touchdowns this year, which is what you want. You want a running back that can play on all three downs and that’s what Ray brings to the table," Boulware said.
His knack for big plays is something Boulware can see Davis bringing to Buffalo.
“His biggest asset is the ability to make you miss in the open field," Boulware said. "That’s where the big plays come in. That’s where the big, long runs come in and your yards per carry go up, when you’re able to do that and able to finish. He had enough speed to finish those runs.”
On top of the talent he brings to the field, Davis brings a story that Bills Mafia can cheer for, overcoming homelessness growing up in San Francisco, to now, being in the NFL.
“Every player wants to one day hear his name called and get drafted into the NFL, but to realize that coming from where he came from, man, I can only imagine what that’s like," Boulware said.
And Boulware has one message for Bills fans ready to watch Davis suit up in Buffalo.
“Bills Mafia man, you’re going to get a great one. A guy that’s committed to the game, constantly working hard to achieve a winning edge each and every day in everything that he does.”