In which BracketCat counts down the 52nd day until the 2025 kickoff with a profile of Kansas State defensive end Ryan Davis.

#52 Ryan Davis

Redshirt Sophomore | 6-4 | 252 lbs. | Phoenix, Arizona

Position: Defensive End
Previous College: None
Projection: Co-Starter
Status: On Scholarship

Ryan Davis (b. Sept. 30, 2004), a regular member of the playing rotation at defensive end over his 11 games played last season, is majoring in business administration

A young defensive end from Phoenix who is equally good at pass rush, pursuit and tackling (based on his highlight film), Davis redshirted and did not play during the 2023 season.

In 2024, he came away with seven tackles, 2.5 sacks and a pass breakup among his 141 defensive snaps.

Davis set career highs in tackles (3), TFLs (1.5) and sacks (1.5) against Cincinnati. He also had two tackles — including a 7-yard sack — at Colorado, while he broke up a pass at West Virginia and saw time on a career-high 26 defensive snaps in the Rate Bowl against Rutgers.

Davis prepped under head coach Brian Cole at Sandra Day O’Connor High School, where he was viewed as the 50th-best weakside defensive end in the Class of 2023 by Rivals, while 247Sports ranked him as the 15th-best overall prospect in the state of Arizona.

He was a three-year letter-winner for the Eagles, as well as a three-time all-region selection.

Davis selected K-State over offers from Boise State, Idaho State, Montana State, Nevada, North Dakota, Northern Arizona, Oregon State, San Diego State, South Dakota and Washington State, plus interest from Arizona, Arizona State, New Mexico State and USC.

Defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman had praise for Davis’ development last November:

There were several (up-and-coming defenders during the bye week), but the two that just jump into my mind right away are Jordan Allen and Ryan Davis. We did a little bit more work with guys that — I wouldn’t quite call them developmental guys, although they probably fit that category — guys that have played some but haven’t been in the mix a ton. That was kind of the emphasis of our practices this past week, and those two guys were above dominant. There were other people I could name, but those two guys stood out to me as guys that were outstanding.