2020 NFL Draft Profile: Nebraska Defensive Lineman Khalil Davis

From twitter history...

Khalil Davis came from one of the top high school football programs in the state of Missouri. Luckily he choose to come to Nebraska to play college football. He leaves Nebraska as the best defensive lineman since Vincent Valentine or Maliek Collins.

Though he was a key contributor on the defensive line as a junior he actually did not start a single game in 2018. That changed in 2019 when he started every single game as a senior except for one.

As a senior Davis led Nebraska in sacks with 8 and also tackles for loss with 12. He was likely playing a little bit out of position as he likely is more suited to be a 4-3 defensive tackle and not a 3-4 defensive end.

From the NFL.com Draft Profile of Khalil Davis:

The more polished and disruptive of the Davis twins from Nebraska, Khalil’s agility and lateral quickness improve his standing as a run defender and pass rusher. He lacks the broad frame and length needed to hold his ground, so effort and quickness will need to be his calling card. He has speed, which shows up with short-area pursuit and closing burst, but his short-area athleticism is just average. He may be limited by scheme, but has enough three-down talent to warrant consideration as a Day 3 pick and potential backup.

Strengths (from NFL.com)

• Comes off the snap with good pad level and maintains it
• Keeps big hands tight into opponent’s frame for control
• Low and quick in his lateral movements
• Able to beat backside cut-off block attempts
• Good burst and urgency closing down the line to nab running backs
• Plays with good hustle in space
• Good bend and explosiveness in hips
• Adequate quickness to disrupt on tackle-twist rush
• Determined rush demeanor in search of edges

Weaknesses (from NFL.com)

• Below-average NFL size and short arms
• Has issues absorbing a stiff pass punch
• Poor length diminishes rush counters
• Below average power to generate bull-rush
• Plays so forward that balance becomes an issue
• Jostled around by heavy contact
• Lacks anchor and traits to consistently leverage the gap

NFL.com thinks Khalil Davis could be a NFL backup or a starter. At 308 lbs, Khalil Davis ran a 4.76 40 at the NFL Draft Combine.

Honors & Awards from Huskers.com

• Third-Team All-Big Ten (2019, Coaches)
• Honorable-Mention All-Big Ten (2019, Media; 2018, Media)
• Nebraska Defensive Lineman of the Year (2018, 2019)
• NCAA Track & Field Honorable-Mention All-American (2019, Discus)
• Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll (Spring 2017)
• Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2016, 2017, 2018)
• Tom Osborne Citizenship Team (2016, 2017, 2018)