Sean McVay Reveals Surprise Defender Who 'Deserves to be Mentioned'

Sean McVay Reveals Surprise Defender Who 'Deserves to be Mentioned' originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Sean McVay welcomed back a loaded Los Angeles Rams defense during NFL Training Camp. Top 2024 defensive rookie Jared Verse, Braden Fiske and three-year pro Kobie Turner are helping lead the new era.

But McVay brought up one surprise defender he believes "deserves to be mentioned."

The Super Bowl winning head coach watched a stellar defensive day Monday at Loyola Marymount. One that featured Turner and newcomer Poona Ford dominating during run-oriented team scenarios.

But Tyler Davis raised his game another level at camp. The same Davis entering his second season and seemingly lost among a sea of rising star defenders. This camp session became different for the sixth round selection Davis, though, as noted by Rams team reporters Stu Jackson and Wyatt Miller.

"The second-year defensive end showed impressive power in individual and team drills, and was later lauded by Turner for his consistency," Miller and Jackson wrote. "McVay likewise name-dropped him after Monday's practice."

And what were McVay's words?

"Tyler Davis is another guy that deserves to be mentioned, because he has really shown why he's a total stud and guy that's going to be a major factor for us," McVay said.

That's a stirring vote of confidence for the young defensive lineman. Especially since he enters a loaded interior defensive lineman room each work day.

Fiske emerged as a breakout star here in his first league season. Turner immediately ascended as the Rams' top pass rushing IDL in his first two league seasons.

The former Clemson Tigers star Davis managed to play in 16 games last season, logging zero starts. He managed to tally 29 total tackles with 12 solo stops. But he grabbed two tackles for a loss. McVay's words point to Davis bettering his '24 numbers this season.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared.