LEXINGTON, Ky. — Of all seven of Kentucky soccer’s switch additions for the 2023 season, former Vanderbilt operating again Ray Davis might have the largest sneakers to fill. 

The Chris Rodriguez period is lastly over at UK. The facility-runner was a fixture within the Wildcats’ offense from 2018-22, climbing up the all-time ranks in Lexington 12 months after 12 months. Earlier than him, it was Benny Snell Jr, who topped the historical past books with three seasons from 2016-18, all of which noticed the present Pittsburgh Steeler eclipse 1,000 dashing yards. 

For many of the Mark Stoops period at Kentucky, there has by no means been a single fear about who was taking handoffs within the backfield. Regardless of all the offensive struggles over the 12 months, a serviceable again has typically been in blue and white. 

That leaves so much to be desired from the following inheritor to the throne. Davis — whereas praiseful of the 2 workhorses earlier than him — is not making an attempt to comply with any footsteps. He is at Kentucky to carve his personal path:

“On the finish of the day I acquired to be Ray Davis. That is simply what it’s. I used to be born to be Ray Davis. I wasn’t born to be C-Rod, I wasn’t born to be Benny Snell. What these guys did was historic, Benny’s within the historical past books, C-Rod’s within the historical past books, however proper now I gotta give attention to simply getting my foot within the door,” he instructed reporters on Wednesday. “As soon as i will set up that, then Lexington goes to know who Ray Davis is and i am going to have the ability to put myself in that class with these guys, however I am unable to suppose that far into it.”

Although he is seeking to make a reputation for himself, Davis understood the chance to come back play for the Wildcats to spherical out his collegiate profession. His first two seasons out of highschool got here at Temple, the place he amassed over 200 carries and 27 receptions, equaling 1,487 yards and 11 touchdowns. 

He made the transfer to Nashville to play for the Commodores in 2021, however reaped the advantages a 12 months later, cracking over 200 carries and 1,000 yards within the 2022 marketing campaign alone. Kentucky followers had been all too conscious this season, because the San Fransisco native tallied 129 yards in Vandy’s 24-21 streak-breaking win over the Wildcats in Lexington on Nov. 12. 

The previous is the previous, however Davis joked that he is not afraid to air out the laundry if certainly one of his new teammates brings up his tenure as a ‘Dore. 

“I all the time joke round and stated ‘if anyone desires to speak crap throughout observe I am gonna carry up the sport once they performed us in opposition to Vandy,’ and simply speak about 129 yards. We snicker and we speak and a few of the guys speak in regards to the sport, however I do not actually speak a lot about it, i am a Kentucky Wildcat, i am not a Vanderbilt Commodore anymore, in order that’s up to now.”

Following the 2022 season, Davis reevaluated. He earned his diploma at Vanderbilt — an incredible accomplishment of its personal — however knew that the following highway he wanted to get on was one which leads towards the NFL. Whereas Vandy is beneath the SEC banner, it hasn’t precisely been a faculty that has churned out skilled expertise within the execs. 

The brand new switch portal opened, offering a freebie for all collegiate athletes. Davis has seen the uptick in NFL output from UK, knew there was a brand new absence at operating again and noticed his likelihood to make an enormous leap in probably the most dominant convention within the nation.

It made sense, nevertheless it wasn’t straightforward. 

“The choice was very, very arduous. I cried. Talked to plenty of relations as a result of once more, I loved my two years at Vandy,” Davis stated. “However I needed to do what’s finest for my household, needed to put myself in one of the best place to attempt to get to that subsequent degree. Kentucky is the place to be as you may see, Benny Snell, C-Rod, Wan’Dale (Robinson), (Josh) Paschal, like there’s numerous guys who got here from Kentucky and are within the league at this time. So I knew if that is what if that is my purpose, and that is my dream, then that is the place I acquired to be to attain that.” “

He is not the one newcomer, nevertheless. Kentucky landed a number of high-profile transfers, together with Devin Leary, who’s becoming a member of Davis for one closing journey after enjoying 4 seasons at NC State. 

Earlier than residing in San Fransisco, Davis began in Philadelphia and was shut in proximity to Leary — who hails from Sicklerville, N.J. — as the 2 rose in the highschool ranks. 

Now the 2 are acclimated with each other within the Bluegrass, and each have desires of creating it to Atlanta for the SEC Championship sport in 2023. All it took was a chat in Davis’ automobile for the pair to start to attach. 

“Humorous factor is, me and Dev really, like we knew one another however we did not know one another. Being from Philly. I imply, going to highschool in Philly and him being from Jersey, we sort of have some ties collectively. We knew plenty of the identical individuals,” he stated. “So the primary day we acquired right here, we really sat in my automotive for about 10-20 minutes and we simply talked and we chopped it up, and I knew this man was gonna be a really shut buddy of mine as a result of we have now the identical objectives and we wish to get to the place we have to get to so, I feel we gelled fairly quick.”

Davis nonetheless has a beginning gig to win, however the impression round UK is that there isn’t any worries a few drop-off in expertise on the operating again place for the upcoming season. 

WATCH: Kentucky soccer’s switch portal signees converse to the media

Former Wildcat Kiyaunta Goodwin has discovered a brand new dwelling within the SEC. Extra HERE.

Devin Leary discusses his resolution to switch to Kentucky HERE.

Kentucky’s switch portal tracker could be discovered HERE.

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