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Overview
Vontae Davis is a cornerback for the Miami Dolphins, who selected him with the 25th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. Davis entered the NFL after forgoing his final year of eligibility at the University of Illinois, where he was a two-time semifinalist for the Thorpe Award as the best defensive back in the nation. Vontae Davis is 6-feet tall and weighs 204 pounds.
Prep Career
As a high school senior at Dunbar High School in Washington, Davis was the D.C. Gatorade Player of the Year. He finished with 38 tackles and eight interceptions as a senior, leading his team to a win in the DCIAA city championship game. He was the No. 43-ranked defensive back recruit according to ESPN's Scouts Inc. He signed with Illinois after also considering Maryland, Michigan State and Virginia.
Freshman Year
In 2006, Davis started right away and played all 12 games for Illinois. He was named the team's rookie of the year, finishing the season with 30 tackles. He had two tackles and an interception in his college debut against Eastern Illinois. He was a first team Freshman All-America selection and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors.
Sophomore Year
Davis began to earn more national recognition as a sophomore, finishing the season as one of the 13 semifinalists for the Thorpe Award and earning first team All-Big Ten honors. He capped off the season by making a career-high 13 tackles against USC in the Rose Bowl, finishing with 56 tackles and four interceptions. He also saw his first action as a return man, fielding a total of six kickoffs and punts. He scored his first career touchdown in the season opener against Missouri, blocking a punt and returning it two yards for the score.
Junior Year
Davis repeated as a Thorpe Award semifinalist in 2008, after finishing the season with 78 tackles and two interceptions. He matched his career high with 13 tackles in a win against Louisiana-Lafayette, including a forced fumble. He finished the season with three forced fumbles, tied for second in the Big Ten. In addition to his two interceptions, he also had eight pass breakups, matching his career high. In the key matchup of the season, Davis helped hold Missouri's Jeremy Maclin to just four catches for 31 yards in the season opener. He was once again a first team All-Big Ten selection by the conference coaches, and added All-Big Ten first team media honors.
NFL Career
Davis was selected in the first round (25th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. Before the 2009 season, Davis signed a five-year contract with Miami.
Davis played all 16 games as a rookie for the Dolphins, starting nine alongside fellow rookie Sean Smith. Davis finished his rookie season with 53 total tackles and four interceptions. He scored his first career touchdown on a 23-yard interception return in Week 4 against the Buffalo Bills.
Davis played all 16 games as a rookie for the Dolphins, starting nine alongside fellow rookie Sean Smith. Davis finished his rookie season with 53 total tackles and four interceptions. He scored his first career touchdown on a 23-yard interception return in Week 4 against the Buffalo Bills.
Personal
Davis was raised by his grandmother, Adaline Davis. His brother, Vernon Davis, was a star tight end at Maryland and currently plays for the San Francisco 49ers.
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