Marlon Davidson Bio
Marlon Davidson (born May 11, 1998) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Auburn Tigers and was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft. He has also played for the San Francisco 49ers and Tennessee Titans.
Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and listed around 137 kilograms during his NFL career, Davidson entered the league as a five-star recruit out of high school. He is widely recognized for his run-stopping ability and his knack for disrupting plays in the backfield, traits that helped him become a starter as a true freshman at Auburn and a Day Two pick in the NFL.
Early Life and Background
Marlon Davidson was born on May 11, 1998, in Greenville, Alabama. He grew up in the same small Alabama city where he later attended Greenville High School, finishing his prep career as one of the most decorated defensive line prospects in the country. His size and athleticism made him a dominant presence on the defensive front, and he was rated as a five-star recruit coming out of high school.
Coming from a football family, Davidson was exposed to the sport at a young age through relatives who played the game. His brother, Kenneth Carter, also played football at Auburn and later became part of the Tigers’ coaching staff, giving Davidson a direct connection to the program he would eventually join. That family tie, combined with the program’s reputation for producing NFL defensive linemen, helped shape his college decision.
Davidson’s formative years were defined by his rapid physical development and the mentorship he received from coaches in Greenville. He used his high school career to refine the technique and leverage that would later define his play, ultimately signing with Auburn as one of the highest-rated defensive line recruits in program history.
Path to American Football
Davidson’s path to professional football began on the recruiting trail, where his combination of size, strength, and quickness drew attention from top programs across the Southeast. After narrowing his choices, he signed with the Auburn Tigers, where his older brother had already established a foothold in the program. The decision allowed him to develop close to home while competing in the rugged Southeastern Conference.
Once on campus, Davidson wasted little time making an impact. He started all 13 games during his freshman season and became the first Auburn freshman to start on the defensive line since 1985. That year he also earned a spot on the All-SEC freshman team, an early signal of his NFL-caliber ceiling. During his sophomore campaign, his performance against Missouri earned him SEC defensive player of the week honors, further cementing his reputation as one of the conference’s most disruptive interior linemen.
By the end of his junior season, Davidson had earned First Team All-SEC recognition, solidifying his status as a top professional prospect. His blend of power at the point of attack and the motor to chase plays down the line made him an ideal fit for a one-gap defensive scheme, and his performance during the pre-draft process moved him into the second round of the 2020 NFL draft.
Marlon Davidson Career
Early Career (2020-2021)
Davidson was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round with the 47th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. He joined a defensive line that was in the middle of a youth movement and was expected to contribute immediately as a rotational player. His rookie season, however, was interrupted when he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on October 13, 2020; he was activated two weeks later on October 26.
In his second NFL season, Davidson produced one of the most memorable moments of his career. On December 5, 2021, he recorded his first career interception, returning it for a touchdown on a pick-six against quarterback Tom Brady. The play highlighted the athleticism and ball awareness that had made him a coveted prospect and gave the Falcons defense a signature highlight from that season.
Atlanta Falcons Breakthrough (2020-2022)
Davidson’s tenure with the Atlanta Falcons spanned his first three professional seasons and included steady growth into a starting-caliber defensive tackle. He appeared in games across all three years, contributing as both a run defender and a pass rusher, while learning from a veteran defensive line room. His first career interception against Tom Brady in December 2021 remains one of the defining plays of his time in Atlanta.
His final season with the Falcons was cut short by injury. On September 1, 2022, Davidson was placed on injured reserve after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. He was later released on October 25, 2022, closing out his initial NFL chapter with Atlanta. Despite the early ending, his production and physical tools had already drawn the attention of teams around the league.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2023)
On May 8, 2023, Davidson signed with the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent, joining one of the NFL’s most respected defensive fronts. He was waived on August 29 as the team trimmed its roster before the regular season, but was quickly re-signed to the practice squad. His time with the 49ers was short, however, as he was released on October 4, 2023.
Although his stint in San Francisco did not produce regular-season stats, the experience exposed him to one of the league’s most sophisticated defensive schemes. That stint served as a brief bridge between his Atlanta release and his next opportunity back in the AFC South.
Tennessee Titans Era (2023-2024)
On October 25, 2023, Davidson was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad, where he worked his way back onto the active roster. He was activated from the practice squad in Week 14 and played against the Miami Dolphins. One week later, against the Houston Texans, he recorded his first sack as a member of the Titans. He was signed to the active roster on December 22, 2023, and played the final five games of the season, finishing with ten total tackles and a sack.
Davidson re-signed with the Titans on May 6, 2024, signaling the team’s confidence in his development. His 2024 season, however, was derailed when he was placed on injured reserve on August 16 and missed the entire year. The injury setback ended his time in Tennessee but did not end his NFL journey.
Houston Texans Era (2025-Present)
On August 1, 2025, Davidson signed with the Houston Texans, returning to the AFC South for another shot at a roster spot. He was released with an injury settlement on August 14, but the door did not close for long. On October 7, 2025, he was re-signed to the Texans’ practice squad, putting him back in position to compete for an active roster role later in the season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Davidson is best known as a powerful interior run-stopper who plays with a strong base and impressive hand usage. His ability to anchor against double teams and reset the line of scrimmage has been a hallmark of his game since his Auburn days. He pairs that physicality with enough quickness to penetrate gaps and pressure the quarterback, and his interception against Tom Brady in 2021 showed a deceptive amount of awareness in pass coverage.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments of Davidson’s career are his first career interception, a pick-six off Tom Brady in 2021, and his first sack as a Tennessee Titan against the Houston Texans in 2023. Becoming the first Auburn freshman to start on the defensive line since 1985, earning First Team All-SEC in 2019, and being selected 47th overall in the 2020 NFL draft round out his most notable milestones.
Marlon Davidson Career Wins
Marlon Davidson’s career has been defined less by headline-grabbing win totals and more by steady contributions across multiple NFL stops. From his early impact with the Atlanta Falcons to his stints with the San Francisco 49ers and Tennessee Titans, and now with the Houston Texans, he has continued to add veteran depth to defensive lines in need of physicality.
NFL Career Highlights
During the 2023 season in Tennessee, Davidson played the final five games of the year and recorded ten total tackles along with one sack, his first as a member of the Titans. His most memorable career highlight remains the first career interception he returned for a touchdown against Tom Brady on December 5, 2021, while playing for the Atlanta Falcons.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond the NFL, Davidson’s most decorated pre-professional performance came in 2019, when he was named First Team All-SEC after helping anchor one of the top defensive lines in college football. He also earned SEC defensive player of the week honors during his sophomore season following a strong showing against Missouri.
Marlon Davidson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Davidson comes from a football family with deep ties to the Auburn program. His brother, Kenneth Carter, played football at Auburn and later became a member of the Tigers’ coaching staff, giving Marlon a built-in mentor and a direct connection to the school he would eventually call home.
Personal Life
Public details about Marlon Davidson’s personal life are limited. He was born and raised in Greenville, Alabama, and has continued to keep his family matters private while focusing on his professional football career in the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
Davidson’s 2025 campaign began with a new opportunity when he signed with the Houston Texans on August 1. His initial time on the active roster ended quickly, however, as he was released with an injury settlement on August 14, 2025. The Texans kept his name in mind, and on October 7, 2025, they re-signed him to the practice squad to continue his development.
From the practice squad, Davidson is positioned to compete for an elevation to the active roster during the second half of the season. With the Texans in the middle of a competitive AFC South race, his experience as a run-stopping defensive tackle could yet provide a boost down the stretch if he gets the chance to return to game action.
Looking ahead, Davidson’s focus is on staying healthy and earning a longer look from the Houston Texans. A strong finish in 2025 would not only secure his current roster spot but could also set the stage for a more significant role in 2026 and beyond.