ORLANDO, Fla. — When you ask Kalia Davis to describe his five years as a UCF Knight, he says, “My journey was a crazy one man.”
That is an understatement.
What You Need To Know
- UCF's Kalia Davis says he wouldn't change anything about his days as a Knight
- Davis went through three coaching upheavals and four position changes
- The defensive standout is completing his comeback from a knee injury
- He recently went to the NFL Combine and UCF's Pro Day to prepare for the draft
“Going from the three coaching staff changes and four position changes, I think I had the most interesting journey here, but I wouldn’t change anything for nothing,” Davis said.
Davis has a grateful heart despite the rollercoaster ride he went through, one that ended with a season-ending knee injury just five games into his redshirt senior season as a defensive standout.
“The positives outweigh the negatives by far. I met so many people, made so many relationships, relationships that are going to last the rest of my life,” Davis said. “I don’t really look on the negative because it just came and went. The people were there to pick me up, and they are going to be there the rest of my life.”
It’s that attitude, along with Davis’ versatility, that has elevated him to talks of the next level —the NFL.
“I’m honestly just blessed to be in the conversation, from opting out 2020 to getting hurt five games in,” Davis said. “It’s a blessing to even be in the conversation to go to the next level so I am just taking it one step at a time and soaking it all in.”
His rehab quickly advanced to squats, then deadlifts, then running in water, to now back on the field in cleats. Recently, he went to the NFL Combine for draft prospects and participated in UCF’s Pro Day.
“I just had to persevere through it all,” Davis said. “I most definitely needed the help from my family, my loved ones. I was telling them all about it, telling them I am a little discouraged, but they helped me get through it.”
As Davis gets ready for his name to be called at the NFL Draft at the end of the month, he reflects on his journey and he can’t help but smile with pride.
“I am very proud of myself because there are moments where I most definitely could have thrown in the towel and wavered, but I am so proud of myself for never doing that,” Davis said. “Just embracing the challenges and just attacked every moment like it’s game day.”