Late in the first quarter of Auburn’s 26-10 win versus Texas A&M, Kyler Murray lofted a pass down the middle of the field. Waiting on the other end were speedy A&M wide receiver Damion Ratley and Auburn cornerback Carlton Davis.
Ratley secured the pass in the end zone for a moment. Davis, with only his left hand on the football as the two tumbled to the ground, appeared to have lost the battle, but the true freshman didn’t quit.
Instead, he rolled onto Ratley and ripped the ball away for an interception.
“When I saw him throw it, I just knew I had to make a play,” Davis said. “There was no other way but for me to make a play, so that’s what I did.”
Davis has become familiar with one-on-one coverage during his short time on the Plains, and more often than not, he’s made plays such as the one at Texas A&M.
The 18-year-old has drawn matchups with some of the top receivers in the SEC, including Ole Miss’s Laquon Treadwell and Mississippi State’s De’Runnya Wilson, who could be selected in the first round of next year’s NFL draft.
Davis, who was playing at Miami Norland Senior High School at this time last year, has taken his lumps.
He gave up a touchdown to Wilson, missed a tackle in the fourth overtime against Arkansas that allowed receiver Drew Morgan to score the game-winning touchdown and was beaten on several occasions by Treadwell, including a fourth quarter touchdown.
Davis has more than offset his struggles with his production, as he has played in every game for Auburn and recorded 31 tackles, three interceptions and four pass breakups.
He has quickly earned the respect of his teammates, including senior linebacker Justin Garrett.
“They always try to pick on Carlton because he’s a freshman cornerback,” Garrett said after the Texas A&M game. “He holds his own. … He’s a warrior. I’m glad I have him out on the football field with us.”
The Miami native has also drawn rave reviews from defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, who recruited Davis during his time as head coach at Florida and continued his pursuit after moving to Auburn.
“I wish we had a lot more like Carlton — tough, competitive, football instincts, football IQ,” Muschamp said on Oct. 25. “That guy’s got it. It is important to him. (I) wish we had more like him.”
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