Cal Bears Draft Profile: Wide Receiver/Return Man Trevor Davis

After two strong seasons with the Cal Bears as a wide receiver and kick returner, Trevor Davis is hoping to make it at the next level.

As the 2016 NFL Draft approaches, Golden Gate Sports will profile some of the California Golden Bears’ potential draft picks. Everyone knows about quarterback Jared Goff, who declared for the draft a year early and will almost certainly be one of the first few players off the board when the 81st annual draft kicks off on April 28th. But the Bears, who finished 8-5 this past season and beat Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl, have other intriguing prospects. The fifth profiled here is wide receiver and kick returner Trevor Davis.

Davis came out of Alhambra High School in Martinez, California rated as highly as a three-star recruit by Rivals, but was given two stars by every other publication. In addition to being a star football player in high school, Davis was also a standout track athlete, setting school records in 100 meters, 200 meters, and the long jump.

The 6’2″, 185-pound wide receiver began his collegiate career at Hawaii, and played in 15 games over his freshman and sophomore seasons in 2011 and 2012. He piled up 45 catches, 601 yards, and five touchdowns, but recorded no statistics as a returner on the island. Following his sophomore campaign, Davis transferred out of Hawaii after a coaching change, when Norm Chow replaced Greg McMackin. After the customary redshirt season in 2013, Davis returned to the field and made his mark with the Bear Raid offense.

In 2014, Davis recorded 24 receptions and 399 yards, along with five touchdowns as part of one of the most prolific passing attacks in the nation. He also returned 13 kicks for 424 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His 32.6 yards per kick return ranked second in the nation, and he was named to the First-Team All-Pac-12 as a kick returner.

More from Cal Bears

• Stanford and Cal football seasons canceled with recent Pac-12 announcement
• Cal Football: Golden Bears land local three-star OT Ryan Lange
• Stanford, Cal Football: Pac-12 will only play conference games this season
• Cal Football: Golden Bears land highest-ranked recruit of Justin Wilcox era
• Cal Football: Analyzing Ashtyn Davis’ 2020 NFL Draft landing spot

Davis’ junior season was highlighted by his incredible performance against Washington State in week five. In a back-and-forth battle, Davis caught three passes for 82 yards, scoring two receiving touchdowns for the second time in his college career. He also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, going 100 yards and 98 yards, respectively, on consecutive return opportunities. His second touchdown catch from 51 yards out proved to be the game-winner.

In his senior season, Davis set a number of personal bests, including 40 catches, 672 yards, and 16.8 yards per catch. He also posted a career-high 138 receiving yards against San Diego State in week two, and matched his career-high with seven catches versus Stanford in week 11. Davis was one of a whopping six receivers to catch 40 passes for Cal in 2015.

Davis is an intriguing prospect as both a receiver and return man, and ESPN’s draft analyst Todd McShay has took notice of Davis while watching film on his quarterback Goff.

More from Golden Gate Sports

• Raiders: Rookie stock report following Week 3 performance
• 49ers sign new long snapper amidst a flurry of roster moves
• Oakland Athletics win Game 2 of Wild Card round with late-inning drama
• 49ers: George Kittle and Deebo Samuel cleared to return to practice
• 49ers expected to place DE Dee Ford on injured reserve

Indeed it is hard to miss Davis, whose speed, explosiveness, and after-the-catch ability are off the charts. He was a big play threat for the Bears every time he stepped on the field, and made 11 catches of at least 30 yards, and seven catches of at least 50 yards in his 22 games at Cal. He also added four 40-plus yard kick returns. That explosive ability is sure to catch the eyes of some scouts around the NFL.

Davis has been invited to the NFL Draft Combine, scheduled to take place late this month. He’ll have the opportunity to truly show off that speed and agility, and maybe find his way into a late-round draft pick. Coach Sonny Dykes has faith that Davis will “run good enough to catch some people’s attention at the Combine”.

Next: Cal Bears Draft Profile: WR Bryce Treggs

Davis was just one part of a very deep group of receivers at Cal, but he has managed to gain some fans. With more hard work at the Combine, he can keep opening eyes.

Here is a highlight reel from Davis’ senior season at Cal: