Pitt All 105: RB Derrick Davis Jr. Working to Make Impact in 2024

All 105 is a Pittsburgh Sports Now series profiling each of the 105 members of the Pitt 2024 training camp roster. 

Derrick Davis Jr., a redshirt junior running back from Gateway in Pittsburgh, Pa.

2023 season: Davis played in eight games last season, serving primarily as a reserve running back and a special teamer

Stats: Davis recorded two carries for eight yards last season, both carries coming against Wofford. He recorded 11 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown during his time at LSU

Camp outlook: Camp will work with the 1s and 2s during camp, competing alongside a handful of running backs for playing time in the backfield

Projected role: Davis has an intriguing blend of size and speed, but it remains to be seen whether he’s done enough to warrant serious playing time. A strong showing at fall camp could go a long way

Davis (6-foot, 205 pounds) originally committed to LSU as a high-profile four-star recruit out of Gateway, committing to the Tigers over a list of finalists that included Georgia, Ohio State, Penn State and Pitt.

He arrived in Baton Rouge as a safety but made the transition to running back late in his second season with the Tigers. He arrived in Pittsburgh last season as a full-time running back for the first time since before his days at Gateway and has slowly adjusted to the offensive side of the ball.

Davis earned praise during the spring for the way he’s adapted to the new position and how he approached his offseason training. He’s one of the faster players on the offense.

“Derrick Davis had a nice Thursday; I’m assuming a nice Tuesday today,” Pat Narduzzi said in April. “But I’ve seen some nice things out of him. I saw him step up and block an A-gap with Brandon George down his throat, and he anchored that thing down really well, so he’s been really good in pass protection for a guy that’s half the size of my podium.”

Rodney Hammond Jr. is the lead back entering the summer, and Desmond Reid has had as good an offseason just about anyone on the roster since arriving from Western Carolina. Davis and Daniel Carter are both likely in the plans as part of the rotation.