Carlton Davis Bio
Carlton Davis III is an American professional football cornerback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. Born on December 31, 1996, in Miami, Florida, he developed into a standout cornerback at Auburn University before being selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2018 NFL Draft. Known for his physicality in coverage, Davis earned a Super Bowl ring with Tampa Bay and continues to be recognized as one of the league’s experienced defensive backs.
Early Life and Background
Carlton Davis III grew up in the Miami Gardens area of Florida, where he attended Miami Norland Senior High School. At Norland, he starred as a high school football player and built the foundation that would carry him to the next level. His combination of size, length, and athleticism made him one of the most coveted defensive back prospects in his recruiting class.
Davis originally committed to Ohio State University before ultimately changing his commitment to Auburn University. The decision to play in the Southeastern Conference gave him early exposure to high-level competition and helped shape his approach to the cornerback position. He entered Auburn as one of the most anticipated defensive recruits in recent program history.
Path to American Football
Davis arrived at Auburn as a true freshman in 2015 and immediately made an impact in the Tigers’ secondary. He finished his first season with 56 tackles and three interceptions, earning Freshman All-American and Freshman All-SEC honors. His early production signaled that he was on track to develop into one of the top cornerback prospects in college football.
As a sophomore in 2016, Davis recorded 46 tackles and continued to refine his technique. During his junior campaign in 2017, he posted 36 tackles, 12 pass deflections, and one interception. His strong junior season earned him First-team All-American and First-team All-SEC recognition, and on January 3, 2018, Davis announced his decision to enter the 2018 NFL Draft.
Carlton Davis Career
Early Career (2018)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Davis in the second round with the 63rd overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. On May 24, 2018, he signed a four-year rookie contract and entered training camp competing for a starting role. After an injury to Brent Grimes, Davis was elevated into the starting lineup and made his regular-season debut on September 9, 2018, against the New Orleans Saints, recording four combined tackles in a 48-40 victory.
Davis finished his rookie campaign with 40 combined tackles, four pass deflections, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery across 13 games and 13 starts. Despite the Buccaneers finishing 5-11, his play suggested a promising future as a starting cornerback. The team subsequently hired Bruce Arians as head coach, setting the stage for a defensive overhaul.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Breakthrough (2019-2023)
Under new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, Davis blossomed into one of the league’s more disruptive cornerbacks. In 2019, he recorded 60 combined tackles, 19 pass deflections, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and his first career interception, which came off Matt Ryan in a win over the Atlanta Falcons. His ball production and physicality became defining traits of his game.
Davis elevated his profile further in 2020, when he set a career-high with four interceptions, including a late pick against Justin Herbert that sealed a victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. He finished the regular season with 68 combined tackles and 18 pass deflections. Tampa Bay punched a postseason ticket, and Davis helped the Buccaneers defeat Washington, New Orleans, and Green Bay to reach Super Bowl LV.
On February 7, 2021, Davis started in Super Bowl LV and recorded five combined tackles as the Buccaneers routed the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 to capture the franchise’s second Lombardi Trophy. The victory cemented his reputation as a big-game performer. Tampa Bay rewarded him with a three-year, $44.50 million contract extension in March 2022, and he continued to serve as a top cornerback through the 2023 season.
Detroit Lions Era (2024)
On March 13, 2024, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded Davis and two sixth-round picks to the Detroit Lions in exchange for a third-round selection. Shortly after, Detroit signed him to a one-year, $14.50 million contract that included a $12.74 million signing bonus. Head coach Dan Campbell quickly named Davis and rookie Terrion Arnold as the starting cornerbacks to open the season.
Davis opened his Lions tenure with a strong all-around effort, recording a season-high 10 combined tackles in a 26-20 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams. He later intercepted two passes from C.J. Stroud in a victory over the Houston Texans. A quadriceps injury limited him late in the year, and on January 7, 2025, the Lions announced that Davis would miss the remainder of the season. Prior to the injury, he had tallied two interceptions, 11 passes defended, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
New England Patriots Era (2025-Present)
On March 13, 2025, the New England Patriots signed Davis to a three-year, $60.00 million contract that included $34.50 million guaranteed and a $16.00 million signing bonus. The agreement positioned him as a foundational piece of the Patriots’ secondary. Davis brought leadership, postseason experience, and a track record of forcing turnovers to a defense in the midst of a rebuild.
Driving Style and Strengths
Carlton Davis III is known for his physical press-man coverage, length at the line of scrimmage, and tackling in the run game. He excels at disrupting receivers at the catch point and has consistently produced takeaways when quarterbacks challenge him. His combination of size, technique, and competitive toughness makes him a fit for both zone and man coverage schemes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Davis’s defining moments is his Super Bowl LV victory with the Buccaneers in February 2021, a career-high four-interception season in 2020, and his two-pick performance against C.J. Stroud in 2024. He has also been a durable presence, starting double-digit games in multiple seasons despite managing various in-season injuries.
Carlton Davis Career Wins
Carlton Davis III has built a career defined by signature wins, big-game performances, and championship hardware. His most prominent victory remains Super Bowl LV, where Tampa Bay defeated Kansas City 31-9. He has also been part of multiple playoff triumphs and has helped both Tampa Bay and Detroit reach the postseason.
NFL Highlights
Davis has collected wins against some of the league’s most respected quarterbacks, including Matt Ryan, Aaron Rodgers, Justin Herbert, and Patrick Mahomes. He has produced multiple takeaways in key games, including two interceptions off C.J. Stroud during a 2024 win over the Houston Texans. His most recent championship-level moment came in Super Bowl LV.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the NFL, Davis earned Freshman All-American and Freshman All-SEC honors in 2015 before blossoming into a First-team All-American and First-team All-SEC selection in 2017. His collegiate accolades laid the groundwork for his rise as a second-round draft pick and eventual Super Bowl champion.
Carlton Davis Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Carlton Davis III is the third to carry his family name, reflecting a proud family heritage. He grew up in the Miami Gardens area of Florida, where his early football environment helped shape his competitive identity.
Personal Life
Davis maintains a strong presence on social media, where he shares updates about his career and personal interests. He has publicly honored the legacy of the late Kobe Bryant by switching his jersey number to 24 in 2020. Davis continues to be recognized for his maturity, leadership, and commitment to community engagement off the field.
2025 Season Performance
Carlton Davis III enters the 2025 season as a featured cornerback for the New England Patriots following his high-profile free-agent signing. The Patriots are counting on his championship experience to anchor a young secondary. Davis is expected to play a central role in defining the identity of New England’s defense.
Throughout the early portion of the season, Davis has been tasked with matching up against top opposing receivers and providing veteran stability in coverage. His tackling and run-support ability remain key assets for a Patriots team emphasizing physicality. Coaches have praised his preparation and communication in the defensive backfield.
Looking ahead, Davis’s production will be closely watched as the Patriots aim to climb the AFC standings. His ability to generate turnovers and limit big plays could determine whether New England’s defense takes a meaningful leap forward. With multiple seasons still remaining on his contract, Davis remains a long-term building block for the franchise.