Kalia Davis Bio
Kalia Davis (born October 2, 1998) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCF Knights before being selected by the 49ers in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and competing at roughly 141 kilograms, Davis is recognized for his size, quickness off the line, and growing role in San Francisco’s defensive front.
Drafted 220th overall, Davis has spent his entire professional career with the 49ers organization. After working through early injuries, he has shown flashes of playmaking ability, highlighted by his first career interception against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Early Life and Background
Kalia Davis was born in Pensacola, Florida, to parents Kenneth Davis II and Antoinette Rivera. He grew up as the third of six siblings in a close-knit family that supported his early interest in athletics. His upbringing along the Gulf Coast shaped a competitive, hard-working approach that he later brought to the football field.
He attended West Florida Tech High School in Pensacola, where he developed into a top collegiate recruit. As a senior, he was ranked the 41st inside linebacker in the nation and received a three-star evaluation from ESPN. Those evaluations reflected his combination of size, physicality, and upside as a defensive prospect coming out of the high school ranks.
Path to American Football
Davis’s path to the professional level ran through the UCF Knights, where he committed to play college football. He joined a UCF program that was building a national reputation during that era, eventually contributing to a defense that helped the Knights earn the 2017 Colley Matrix national championship.
At UCF, Davis transitioned from the linebacker position he played in high school to defensive tackle, a move that took advantage of his frame and strength. His development as an interior defender prepared him for the physical demands of the NFL and helped him earn an invitation to the league’s draft process.
Kalia Davis Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
During his time at UCF, Davis worked his way into a meaningful role on the Knights’ defensive line. The 2017 Colley Matrix national championship provided an early career highlight and helped define the program’s competitive identity during his developmental years.
Across his college seasons, Davis continued to grow into a run-stopping interior presence. His progress in the trenches drew attention from NFL scouts, and his combination of size and athleticism positioned him as a late-round prospect heading into the 2022 draft.
NFL Breakthrough (2022)
Davis was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round, 220th overall, of the 2022 NFL draft. On June 2, 2022, he signed his rookie contract, a four-year deal valued at over $3.8 million. The agreement gave him a defined role within the 49ers organization and a runway to develop within a winning defense.
His first training camp was cut short when he was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list on August 23, 2022, pausing his early progress. The setback required patience and rehab, but it also gave the 49ers a longer window to plan his development and physical conditioning.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2022–Present)
Davis spent his initial seasons working to carve out a consistent role along San Francisco’s defensive front. The 49ers continued to invest in his development, valuing his size and movement skills at the tackle position.
On August 12, 2024, it was announced that Davis would undergo knee surgery that would rule him out for roughly half the season. He was placed on injured reserve on August 27, 2024, before being activated on October 5, 2024. Once back on the field, he made an immediate impact: in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Davis recorded his first career interception, returning it for 2 yards in an 18-28 loss. The play signaled his growing comfort in the 49ers’ defensive scheme.
Driving Style and Strengths
Davis plays with the combination of size and quickness that has become a hallmark of modern interior defensive linemen. He is most effective when he can anchor against the run, occupy blockers, and use his first-step burst to disrupt passing lanes. His ability to read quarterbacks and drop into coverage produced his first career interception, hinting at expanded responsibilities within the 49ers’ defensive game plans.
Notable Events and Milestones
The signature early moment of Davis’s NFL career came with his first career interception against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7 of the 2024 season. That play, paired with his return from knee surgery earlier that same season, marked a turning point in his professional trajectory and underscored his value to San Francisco’s defense.
Kalia Davis Career Wins
As a defensive tackle, Kalia Davis has notched career milestones that reflect his growing role with the San Francisco 49ers. His most prominent statistical highlight remains his first career interception, recorded against the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2024 season.
NFL Highlights
Davis’s first NFL win was secured during the 2022 season as part of the 49ers’ deep postseason run that year. His most recent milestone came in Week 7 of 2024, when his interception against Kansas City announced his arrival as a playmaker in the secondary portion of the defensive line.
Other Wins & Performances
At the college level, Davis was part of the 2017 UCF squad that earned the Colley Matrix national championship, a notable team achievement that underscored the program’s rise. He has continued to add to his professional resume as a rotation player along San Francisco’s defensive front.
Kalia Davis Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Davis was raised in Pensacola, Florida, by his father, Kenneth Davis II, and his mother, Antoinette Rivera. He is the third of six siblings, and the support of his large family has been a steady presence throughout his athletic journey.
Personal Life
Off the field, Davis keeps a low public profile, focusing primarily on his football career with the San Francisco 49ers. Information about his marital status, spouse, or children is not publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Kalia Davis is expected to continue building on the momentum generated by his 2024 interception against the Kansas City Chiefs. Coming off knee surgery and a stint on injured reserve, his availability and conditioning will be a key storyline early in the year as the 49ers evaluate their defensive tackle rotation.
If he can stay healthy, Davis has a clear path to a larger role in San Francisco’s defensive line rotation. His mix of size, quickness, and awareness has already produced a signature play, and the 49ers’ defensive scheme offers opportunities for interior linemen to contribute in both run defense and coverage.
The outlook for Davis in 2025 centers on consistency, durability, and the continued trust of the 49ers’ coaching staff. A full, productive season would further establish him as a long-term piece of San Francisco’s defense and a contributor to the team’s championship aspirations.