Davis grew up in Joplin, Missouri. His family's home was destroyed in the 2011 Joplin tornado. He and his brother survived by laying under a mattress in a hallway of the house.[2] He attended Joplin High School.[3] He rushed for 1,676 yards and 28 touchdowns during his junior season.[4] As a senior, Davis was named the Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year after he rushed for 2,283 yards and 45 touchdowns on 253 carries, caught 19 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns, and also made 52 tackles as a linebacker on defense.[5] Davis committed to play college football at South Dakota State.[6]
College career
Davis's freshman season at South Dakota State (SDSU) was postponed from the fall to the spring of 2021 due to COVID-19. He rushed for 818 yards and 10 touchdowns during the season.[7] As a sophomore, Davis missed some time due to injuries and gained 701 yards and scored seven touchdowns on 95 carries.[8] He was named first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) rushed for 1,451 yards and 15 touchdowns as the Jackrabbits won the 2023 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game.[9][10]