Akeem Davis-Gaither

Akeem Davis-Gaither
No. 59 – Cincinnati Bengals
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1997-09-21) September 21, 1997 (age 27)
Thomasville, North Carolina, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:238 lb (108 kg)
Career information
High school:Thomasville (NC)
College:Appalachian State (2015–2019)
NFL draft:2020 / round: 4 / pick: 107
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
  • Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year (2019)
  • First-team All-Sun Belt (2019)
  • Second-team All-Sun Belt (2018)
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles:122
Sacks:0.5
Forced fumbles:1
Fumble recoveries:1
Interceptions:3
Pass deflections:7
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Akeem Brian Davis-Gaither (born September 21, 1997) is an American professional football linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Appalachian State.

Early life

Davis-Gaither attended Thomasville High School in Thomasville, North Carolina. As a senior in 2015, he had 115 tackles with five sacks and also had eight rushing touchdowns as a running back. He committed to Appalachian State University to play college football.

College career

Davis-Gaither played at Appalachian State from 2015 to 2019.[1][2] As a senior in 2019, he was the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year after recording 101 tackles, five sacks and an interception.[3][4] For his career, Davis-Gaither had 201 tackles, 6.5 sacks and the interception.[5]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span Bench press
6 ft 1+1⁄2 in
(1.87 m) 		224 lb
(102 kg) 		31+1⁄8 in
(0.79 m) 		9+1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)		 21 reps
All values from NFL Combine[6][7]

Davis-Gaither was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round with the 107th pick of the 2020 NFL draft.[8] In Week 17 against the Baltimore Ravens, Davis-Gaither recorded his first career interception off a pass thrown by Lamar Jackson during the 38–3 loss.[9]

On November 9, 2021, Davis-Gaither was placed on injured reserve after suffering a foot injury in Week 9.[10] In 2022, Davis recorded a career high 46 tackles and his first fumble recovery. He also intercepted a pass in the Bengals wildcard playoff win against the Ravens.

On March 13, 2024, Davis-Gaither signed a one-year contract extension with the Bengals.[11]

References

  1. ^ Joyce, Ethan (June 24, 2024). "Akeem Davis-Gaither wondered if App State would be the right place for him. Now his patience is paying off". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  2. ^ Behr, Steve (September 11, 2023). "Davis-Gaither gives App State power and quickness at LB". Watauga Democrat. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  3. ^ Duprez, Mike. "Davis-Gaither thrilled over award". The Dispatch.
  4. ^ Journal, Ethan Joyce Winston-Salem. "No. 21 App State's Darrynton Evans, Akeem Davis-Gaither win Sun Belt offensive and defensive player of the year awards". Winston-Salem Journal.
  5. ^ How Appalachian State’s Davis-Gaither went from afterthought to a top LB in NFL Draft
  6. ^ "Akeem Davis-Gaither Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  7. ^ "Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State, OLB, 2020 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  8. ^ Marcum, Jason (April 25, 2020). "Bengals select Akeem Davis-Gaither in Round 4 of 2020 NFL Draft". Cincy Jungle. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  9. ^ "Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals - January 3rd, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  10. ^ "Bengals Make Four Roster Moves Ahead Of The Bye". Bengals.com. November 9, 2021.
  11. ^ "Bengals Re-Sign Akeem Davis-Gaither". Bengals.com. March 13, 2024.