Auburn junior cornerback Carlton Davis will forego his final season on The Plains and enter the NFL Draft, the Miami native announced Wednesday afternoon.
“I would first like to thank God for blessing me with the ability to play the game of football and ultimately blessing me to be in my current position," Davis said in a statement released by the team. "Secondly, I’d like to say thank you for all the unbelievable fall Saturday afternoons you enabled me to experience. I will be forever grateful to the university and the city of Auburn for accepting me as one of your own.
“With that being said, I have decided to forgo my senior season and enter the 2018 NFL Draft. I would like to thank my parents, my brothers, my family, coaches, teammates for the love and support. I’d also like to say thank you to anyone and everything that has ever supported me throughout my journey.
Carlton Davis (6) celebrates after making a tackle in the first half. Auburn vs Georgia in the SEC Championship Game on Saturday, Dec. 2 in Atlanta, Ga. | Adam Sparks - Photographer |
“It has been an honor and a privilege to be able to put on the orange and blue and represent all of the great players that came before me and those that will share that honor after me. I look forward to seeing you all soon, as I plan to finish pursuing that valuable Auburn degree.
"I’d like to give a special thanks to my mother who has made countless sacrifices over he years and has supported me wholeheartedly through all of my ups and downs throughout my life. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me."
Davis was named a 2017 All-SEC player and a second-team All-American. The junior had 36 tackles this season and a team-high 11 pass breakups.
His announcement comes a day after junior running back Kerryon Johnson announced his decision to turn pro.
“Carlton has been a starter at Auburn from Day 1, using his talents and hard work to earn All-America honors," Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn said in a statement. "He has been a model of consistency and played an important role in the success of our defense. I appreciate Carlton and wish him all the best.”
Davis was sent home during Auburn's preparation time in Atlanta for the Peach Bowl due to illness. The defensive back also missed the second half of Auburn's SEC Championship loss to Georgia after being diagnosed with a mild concussion.
The Floridian is considered a top 5 corner in the class, and is projected to go in the late-first to early-second round.
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