Although the NFL draft is the most direct pipeline for college players to secure an opportunity to play professionally, there are other avenues in which football's ultimate level can be obtained.
Tae Davis is proof of that.
The former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga linebacker was not selected during the 2018 draft and had to travel the free-agent route. That path has worked out just fine, as Davis has played in 27 NFL games the past two seasons, amassing 45 tackles and two sacks.
"Carson Wentz and Andrew Luck," Davis quickly responded when recently asked to name the quarterbacks he has taken to the turf.
Davis had a standout rookie season with the New York Giants but sustained a concussion last year that limited him to four games before he was waived by the team and snatched up by Cleveland the following day. He played nine games for the Browns, who were expected to build off their promising 7-8-1 season in 2018 but instead faltered to a 6-10 record that resulted in Freddie Kitchens having just a one-year stint as head coach.
A 6-foot-1, 224-pounder from Oxford, Alabama, Davis is now preparing for his first full season in Cleveland under new coach Kevin Stefanski and new defensive coordinator Joe Woods, and he is having to do so in this virtual world that has resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. Cleveland's linebackers coach is Jason Tarver, who was Vanderbilt's defensive coordinator the past two seasons.
"It's definitely been interesting, but the coaches have handled it well," Davis said. "It's very organized, and it's just another way to learn. You have to be creative, and it takes a lot of effort on our part.
"These are the cards that we've been dealt, and I think whichever team handles virtual learning the best will be better off when the season comes."
Staff file photo by Robin Rudd / Tae Davis played both safety and linebacker during his UTC football career before moving on to the NFL, with a 13-tackle showing against LSU among his highlights with the Mocs.Davis played safety during his first three years with the Mocs - collecting nine tackles at Alabama during his junior season in 2016 - before moving up to linebacker and blossoming as a senior. Despite missing two games due to injury, he led Tom Arth's inaugural team with 74 tackles, posting a 14-tackle performance against Samford that yielded a Southern Conference defensive player of the week honor and raising eyebrows with a 13-tackle effort at LSU.
His NFL adventure already has been unique, beginning with two very different starting quarterbacks as teammates - Eli Manning of the Giants, who has since retired, and Baker Mayfield of the Browns.
"Eli was that older, veteran guy who would give you pointers," Davis said. "Baker is my age, so he's a guy I can relate to a lot more."
Davis was with the Browns last November when defensive end teammate Myles Garrett was suspended for the remainder of the season after ripping off the helmet of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph and hitting him over the head with it.
"It wasn't anything that crazy," Davis said when asked about the aftermath of that incident. "He realized what happened was unorthodox and definitely a mistake. Myles is an unbelievable guy and one of the guys I've looked up to since he was at Texas A&M.
"What happened was unfortunate, and we were there to support him any way we could."
Davis, who lists the Dallas Cowboys' stadium as his favorite venue so far and the ageless Adrian Peterson as the toughest running back he has faced, hasn't limited his recent weeks to just exercise and video chats. The coronavirus outbreak hit home for him, as three of his elderly relatives living in Lannett, Alabama, tested positive.
His great-uncle and one of his great-aunts had to spend time in the intensive care unit at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika.
"Words can't describe how I felt when I found out," Davis said. "I remember getting word at first and how time just stopped."
Davis has spent the pandemic in Illinois with his girlfriend, Faith, so there was certainly a helpless feeling in being multiple states away. He has since donated 500 meals to Meals on Wheels, which supports more than 5,000 community-based programs that address senior citizens dealing with hunger and isolation.
"When I was growing up, I always said that if I was ever in a position to help people, that's definitely what I was going to do," Davis said. "Throughout this pandemic, I've just been trying to help out, whether that's donating goods or making a monetary donation. When we were made aware of Meals on Wheels, I started thinking about my grandmother, and it was a no-brainer for me."
Bituli to Rams
Former Tennessee linebacker Daniel Bituli agreed Wednesday afternoon to a free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Rams. Bituli racked up 247 tackles and 14.5 tackles for loss during his 38 career games with the Volunteers.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524. Follow him on Twitter @DavidSPaschall.