Khalil Davis Bio
Khalil Davis (born August 22, 1996) is an American former professional football defensive tackle who most recently played for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers before launching a professional career that included stints with several National Football League (NFL) franchises. He earned a Super Bowl championship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a USFL title with the Birmingham Stallions during his playing days.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and listed at 140 kilograms in playing weight, Davis built his reputation as an interior defender with a quick first step and dependable run-stopping ability. After more than five seasons across the NFL and spring football, he announced his retirement in July 2025 before briefly returning to the field later that year.
Early Life and Background
Khalil Davis was born on August 22, 1996, in Blue Springs, Missouri. He and his twin brother, Carlos Davis, were adopted by Carl and Tracy Davis when the twins were nine months old. The Davis family raised Khalil and Carlos in the Blue Springs area, where the brothers developed an early passion for athletics and competition.
Davis attended Blue Springs High School, where he emerged as a four-star recruit and a highly regarded defensive line prospect. His combination of size, quickness, and strength drew scholarship offers from several major college football programs, including Arkansas, Indiana, and Oregon. He ultimately chose to continue his football career at the University of Nebraska, where he would team up with his twin brother on the Cornhuskers defensive front.
Path to American Football
At Blue Springs High School, Davis established himself as a disruptive interior defender, using his frame and athleticism to overpower offensive linemen at the high school level. His recruiting profile rose steadily through his junior and senior seasons, positioning him as one of the top defensive tackle prospects in the Midwest.
Committed to Nebraska, Davis arrived in Lincoln alongside his twin brother Carlos, and the two quickly became fixtures on the Cornhuskers defensive line. Over four college seasons, Davis appeared in 47 games and made 11 starts, developing into a reliable presence in the trenches. He was also a standout thrower for the Nebraska Cornhuskers track and field team, qualifying for the 2019 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the discus throw.
Khalil Davis Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Davis earned recognition as one of the top defensive linemen in the Big Ten Conference during his final two college seasons. He was named the Cornhuskers’ Defensive Lineman of the Year in both 2018 and 2019, capping a steady climb from rotational player to featured defender. Across those seasons, he recorded 11.0 sacks and 26 tackles for loss, including eight sacks as a senior when he also led the team with 45 tackles.
His senior performance earned him Third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2019, reinforcing his draft stock heading into the 2020 NFL cycle. Davis also showcased his athletic profile at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, where he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.75 seconds, the sixth-fastest time among defensive linemen that year.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–2021)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Davis with the 194th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He joined a defensive line that already featured star talent, and he contributed on special teams and as a rotational interior defender during his rookie campaign. Davis earned a Super Bowl championship ring when the Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV.
On October 2, 2021, the Buccaneers waived Davis, ending his initial stint in Tampa Bay. He later returned to the organization on September 21, 2022, when he was signed to the Buccaneers’ practice squad, before being released on November 29 of that year.
Indianapolis Colts (2021)
On October 5, 2021, the Indianapolis Colts claimed Davis off waivers, giving him a brief opportunity in their defensive line rotation. His time in Indianapolis lasted just over three weeks.
On October 30, 2021, the Colts waived Davis, sending him back onto the open market as he continued to search for a stable professional home.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2021–2022)
Davis signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad on November 2, 2021, joining one of the NFL’s most storied franchises. He signed a reserve and future contract with the Steelers on January 18, 2022, signaling the team’s intent to keep him in the organization beyond that season.
On August 30, 2022, Davis was waived by the Steelers as part of the team’s roster trimming ahead of the regular season, ending his tenure in Pittsburgh.
Los Angeles Rams (2022–2023)
On December 14, 2022, Davis signed with the practice squad of the Los Angeles Rams, joining the defending Super Bowl champions late in their season. He remained with the team through the end of the campaign, contributing in a practice role as the Rams wrapped up their schedule on January 9, 2023.
His practice squad contract with the Rams expired when the team’s season ended, leaving Davis to explore his next opportunity during the 2023 offseason.
Houston Texans (2023–2024)
Davis signed with the Houston Texans on August 6, 2023, but was waived on August 29 before being re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on September 30, giving him another chance to contribute at the NFL level.
On November 5, 2024, the Texans traded Davis to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, closing his time in Houston.
San Francisco 49ers (2024)
Davis joined the San Francisco 49ers midway through the 2024 season and appeared in three games for the club. In those limited opportunities, he recorded three combined tackles while providing depth along the defensive front.
His short stint with the 49ers was his final NFL appearance before he made a decision about his professional future.
Birmingham Stallions Era (2023, 2025–Present)
On March 28, 2023, Davis signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League (USFL), joining one of the spring league’s most successful franchises. He was released from his contract on July 27, 2023, in order to sign with an NFL team. Davis was part of the Stallions’ 2023 USFL championship run during his time in Birmingham.
On July 21, 2025, Davis announced his retirement from professional football, walking away after more than five seasons in the sport. On September 3, 2025, he came out of retirement and re-signed with the Birmingham Stallions, who were now part of the United Football League (UFL), reuniting with his twin brother Carlos Davis on the roster.
Notable Events and Milestones
Davis’s most significant career achievement came early, when he earned a Super Bowl championship as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV. He added a USFL championship with the Birmingham Stallions in 2023, becoming a title winner at both the NFL and spring football levels. His journey through seven NFL organizations and back to the UFL also stands as a testament to his perseverance in a highly competitive professional landscape.
Khalil Davis Career Wins
Khalil Davis compiled a professional resume that featured championship hardware at two levels of the sport, along with a steady run of practice squad and rotational opportunities across the NFL. His trophy case includes a Super Bowl ring with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a USFL title with the Birmingham Stallions, both earned in the early stages of his career.
NFL Highlights
Davis’s defining NFL moment came during his rookie season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when he was part of the roster that won Super Bowl LV. He went on to suit up for the Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans, and San Francisco 49ers, with three combined tackles recorded during his time in San Francisco. Across his NFL stints, he established himself as a dependable interior presence capable of contributing on special teams and in rotation.
Other Wins and Performances
During his first stint with the Birmingham Stallions, Davis was part of the team’s 2023 USFL championship season, adding a second professional title to his resume. His return to the Stallions in 2025 reunited him with twin brother Carlos Davis and gave him another opportunity to compete for a UFL title.
Khalil Davis Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Khalil Davis and his twin brother, Carlos Davis, were adopted by Carl and Tracy Davis when the twins were just nine months old. The Davis family raised the brothers in Blue Springs, Missouri, where both twins went on to develop into high-level college football recruits and eventually professional players.
Personal Life
Davis is the twin brother of Carlos Davis, with whom he has shared football fields from high school through the professional ranks, including reuniting as teammates on the Birmingham Stallions in 2025. Public details about his marital status, spouse, or children are not confirmed in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Davis’s 2025 storyline began with a farewell, as he announced his retirement from professional football on July 21, 2025, after more than five seasons in the sport. The decision came shortly after his release from the Houston Texans and a brief stint with the San Francisco 49ers, closing a chapter that included stops with seven NFL organizations.
Just over a month later, on September 3, 2025, Davis reversed course and came out of retirement to sign with the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL, reuniting with twin brother Carlos Davis on the defensive line. The move gave him a fresh platform to compete for a UFL championship and extend his playing career.
Entering the latter portion of the 2025 UFL season, Davis joined a Stallions roster accustomed to contending for titles, providing veteran depth along the interior defensive line. His return added both experience and a familiar face to a team already built around championship expectations.