Ray Davis to play in the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl

Kentucky running back Ray Davis is headed to the East-West Shrine Bowl. According to the bowl itself, Davis officially accepted his invitation to participate in college football’s oldest all-star game, set for February 1, 2024, after the conclusion of the current college football season.

🗣#GAMECHANGER

Ray Davis (@Ray_Davis07) from @UKFootball has officially accepted his invitation to play in the 2024 East-West @ShrineBowl!#GoBigBlue | #ShrineBowlWhosNext 😎 pic.twitter.com/Wu1BR7hHSy

— East-West Shrine Bowl (@ShrineBowl) November 16, 2023

Approximately 130 players from 100 universities are expected to join Davis at the game’s new host site at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas (that’s the Dallas Cowboys’ fancy indoor practice stadium) for the 99th edition of the Shrine Bowl.

The senior showcase is a huge opportunity for NFL hopefuls to display their talents against other draft prospects from around the country while supporting the Shriners Children’s healthcare system. The game dates back to 1925.

Davis is the only Wildcat among the confirmed participants in the 2024 game.

Ray Davis chasing 1,000 again

Through 10 games, Davis is the second-highest rusher in the SEC with 929 yards on 160 carries. The senior transfer from Vanderbilt has found the end zone 11 times on the ground plus five receiving touchdowns as a Wildcat. He ranks first in the league and third nationwide with 16 total touchdowns in 2023.

With two games to play, Davis needs 71 rushing yards to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark. If he does, he’ll be only the 11th player in school history to rush for more than 1,000 yards.

Davis had 1,000-yard seasons at Vanderbilt and at Temple, too.

RD1 thanks the Big Blue Nation

Davis played his final game at Kroger Field last Saturday in the home loss to Alabama. Following his Senior Day game in Lexington, Davis thanked the Big Blue Nation for welcoming him with open arms as a one-year transfer player with the Wildcats.

“It was crazy–you know, it was fun and electrifying,” Davis said looking back at his time at Kentucky, still with two games to go. “There were definitely some up-and-down moments, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything else in the world. I kind of said it back at media day: I’m trying to earn my respect… I’m not Benny or C-Rod, I’m Ray Davis. I think the fans were able to get to know me throughout the season and throughout the year and I’m forever indebted. I think BBN again for letting me come here and just do the things that I can do and follow the steps of the great running back before me.”

Davis and Kentucky aren’t done yet, though. The Wildcats head to South Carolina this Saturday for the SEC regular-season finale.

Then next week, the Governor’s Cup in Louisville.