Oklahoma CB Jaden Davis Hoping For a Bounce-Back Year in 2022

NORMAN — Last year didn’t go according to plan for Jaden Davis.

The 5-foot-10 corner was responsible for a pair of pass breakups last year, but he failed to make the impact behind Woodi Washington and D.J. Graham he had set out for himself in 2021.

“I feel like it just wasn't good enough as a whole,” Davis told the media on Monday. “Where I want to go, where my aspirations are, and just talking to my dad – My dad is a big inspiration for me. He's always going to tell me the truth and nothing but the truth.

“He'll just say 'That wasn't good enough. This year wasn't good enough. This play wasn't good enough.' I can feel like I have a great game. 'It wasn't good enough on this play and this play. You didn't do good enough.' It's just constant improvement.”

A big reason as to why Davis felt he didn’t live up to his expectations was a lack of confidence. Once he lost that edge, Davis said everything took a dip for him on the field.

“’Im really a confident person, but certain things happened and I felt like I lost my confidence in myself,” Davis said. “I felt like I just made everything way worse than what it was.

“I feel like if I do me, play confident and do what I need to do, I feel like we'll see a different me."

But as the coaching staff changed, Davis struck up a bond with his new position coach.

Jay Valai, a former corner himself who wasn’t physically imposing, stepped in and immediately proved how he could make a difference with OU’s cornerbacks.

“He's very detailed, and he talks about being intentional in everything you do,” Davis said. “… I feel like I'm taking major steps in my game. As a team, I feel like we're just taking major steps every day. I feel like it's just constant improvement."

“… Its details, details, details. When you're focused on the details, you're going to make strides. Not just incremental strides. You can get one percent better every day, but with him it's not just about getting one percent better. Some days you can get five percent or you might get 10 percent.”

Part of what makes Valai so good is his ability to meet each individual player where they are, Davis said.

Valai understands each person brings their own strengths and a different skillset to the table, and he encourages that.

For instance, Valai said his work with Davis has been focused on maximizing his quick burst because life as a 5-10 corner is just different than it would be for a bigger-bodied player.