Jamin Davis released by New York Jets

Former Kentucky star Jamin Davis was once an early favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2021. Now, he’s struggling to find a permanent home, released once again going into 2025 after suiting up for four different teams in 2024.

Selected No. 19 overall in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Commanders, he spent four years in Washington before his release last October. From there, he had cups of coffee with the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings and New York Jets that season, racking up 18 total tackles (12 solo), two tackles for loss and a sack in 106 defensive snaps. After re-signing with the Jets in March, there was hope Davis would take over the third-string linebacker role, at minimum — if not find a way to tap back into his potential as a top-20 pick.

After registering just six tackles and one sack in three preseason games, though, the franchise decided to go in another direction entirely. He was released on Sunday while New York waived six other players: QB Adrian Martinez, DE Michael Fletcher, T Liam Forandel, TE Zach Kuntz, DB Tanner McCalister and RB Lawrance Toafili.

The 6-4, 234-pound 26-year-old became just Mark Stoops‘ third first-round pick from UK, following Bud Dupree (2015, No. 22 overall) and Josh Hines-Allen (2019, No. 7). He was the program’s next major success story, the coaching staff turning the three-star recruit from the small town of Ludowici, GA into the fastest-rising talent in the 2021 draft after finishing third in the SEC in tackles with 102 tackles, 4.0 TFL, 1.5 sacks, two PBUs, three interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick as a consensus All-SEC talent.

Over the course of his four-year career in Lexington and three as a letterman, Davis saw action in 36 games with 11 starting assignments. He totaled 144 tackles, 5.0 TFL, 2.5 sacks, five interceptions, three PBUs and three QBHs in that time.

In five years as a pro, Davis has earned 287 total tackles (178 solo), eight sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and six PBUs. His best season came as a sophomore in Washington, finishing with 104 tackles (68 solo), three sacks, two fumble recoveries and one PBU in 16 games played.

As an unexpected cut in New York, someone will undoubtedly take another shot on the young linebacker out of Georgia. But can he stick? That’s the real question as he finds a fifth football home in less than a calendar year.