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Former UCF wide receiver Gabriel Davis was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday. He came off the board at pick No. 128.
Sanford ⏩ UCF ⏩ @BuffaloBills
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) April 25, 2020
LET’S GOOO @DavisGB1‼️#BuiltByUCF ⚔️ #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/IjFPoa4JPq
#BillsMafia‼️ Your first look at @DavisGB1 in that beauuuutiful @BuffaloBills jersey pic.twitter.com/EchdFiSUwp
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) April 25, 2020
By the time Davis ended his three-year career with the UCF Knights, he established himself as one of their best-ever wideouts. He ranks among the program’s top 10 in receiving yards, receptions and 100-yard receiving games. He also caught 23 touchdowns, which is second-most in UCF history.
He racked up big numbers in 2019 — 72 catches, 1,241 yards and 12 touchdowns — despite skipping the Gasparilla Bowl.
In Davis, the Bills are getting a player who has the strength and size to make tough catches in coverage. He high-points the ball really well, fights for the ball and should be an attractive red-zone target in the NFL. Gabe didn’t run a wide variety of routes at UCF, but displayed subtle moves that could fake out DBs. His long strides help him get downfield to make big plays, and he is also a committed blocker.
He isn’t the fastest or the most athletic guy, but given Davis’ superb work ethic, you know he’s going to tap into every ounce of ability and potential he possesses.
He will look to bolster an already-strong receiving group, headed by Stefon Diggs and John Brown. This pick has to make Josh Allen happy.
— Black & Gold Banneret (@UCF_Banneret) April 18, 2020
Practice is over, but Gabe Davis continues to work with the JUGS machine. #UCF pic.twitter.com/DOxZMLjhVP
— Brian Murphy (@Spokes_Murphy) October 2, 2019
Clayton Geathers was the most recent Knight to be drafted in the fourth round (2015).
10 of UCF’s 42 all-time draft picks have been wide receivers, including another fourth-rounder: Davis’ friend/mentor/training partner, Brandon Marshall. Marshall was taken by the Denver Broncos at pick No. 119 in 2006.
Davis is the third UCF alum drafted by the Bills, joining defensive tackle Torrell Troup (2010) and wide receiver Bernard Ford (1988)
Gabe’s reaction:
Watch the moment #UCF WR Gabriel Davis received the call from the Buffalo Bills and was taken in the 4th round of the #NFLDraft via McKenzie Milton on Instagram. pic.twitter.com/gzHEyTnbu7
— Jason Beede (@therealBeede) April 25, 2020
#Bills new WR @DavisGB1 on his QB @JoshAllenQB "He's a competitor. He wants to win, he shows that every single time he plays, a big quarterback. He knows how to throw the football. Seems like a great guy. I'm just ready, ready for this opportunity." @News_8 pic.twitter.com/dPJ27G4iPK
— AJ Feldman (@AJFeldmanTV) April 25, 2020
New #Bills WR Gabe Davis sounds like a Sean McDermott type of guy. "I feel like that's what separates me from everybody because I'm not only a dog when the ball's in the air, but I'm a dog when it's not in my hands and I have to make a block." @News_8 pic.twitter.com/S1K1Q5HAFm
— AJ Feldman (@AJFeldmanTV) April 25, 2020
#Bills Gabe Davis says he's looking forward to going up against @TakeAwayTre_ and company in practice
— AJ Feldman (@AJFeldmanTV) April 25, 2020
"It's going to make me great. It's going to make me be the player I want to be and I'll be able to go against the best every single day in practice... it's a blessing." pic.twitter.com/C4W7JQRO8I
Happy to be home. #BillsMafia | #GoBills pic.twitter.com/IxnSQS8KNN
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) April 25, 2020
What they’re saying about Davis:
“The Bills did a great job complimenting what they already have and I expect @DavisGB1 to make big plays down the field for their offense.”
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) April 25, 2020
: NFL Draft on ABC, ESPN, NFL Network pic.twitter.com/khKD60BzIj
Congrats from the #UCFamily @DavisGB1 ✊ pic.twitter.com/vfyTVE4Xm5
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) April 25, 2020
“When you go 4th round, man you can play a very long time!”
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) April 25, 2020
6x Pro Bowler & 2x All-Pro @BMarshall was the 119th pick in ‘06, so yeah...he knows ✊ #BuiltByUCF pic.twitter.com/TAv12nC1UM