Dayne Davis was 'a local boy' who lived out a dream playing for Tennessee Football
Dayne Davis lived out his dream at the University of Tennessee over the last five years. The East Tennessee native appeared in 52 games for the Vols on the offensive line, appearing in all 13 games each of the last four seasons.
Davis, the 6-foot-7, 333-pound offensive lineman from Bluff City, Tenn., said goodbye to Tennessee Football in a post on social media.
“Thank you for giving a local boy all the little kid in him wanted,” Davis wrote, “… a shot to play for the Big Orange on Fall Saturdays in Neyland Stadium.
“The memories and friendships I have made I will remember and cherish for a lifetime. So long for now, but VFL!”
Thank you, Tennessee.
— Dayne Davis (@BigDayne_Davis) December 30, 2024
Thank you for giving a local boy all the little kid in him wanted…a shot to play for the Big Orange on Fall Saturdays in Neyland Stadium.
The memories and friendships I have made I will remember and cherish for a lifetime. So long for now, but VFL!
66 pic.twitter.com/CaXAlMFCox
Davis starred at Sullivan East High School before joining the Tennessee Football program as a preferred walk-on in 2019.
He earned a scholarship in December 2020 on his way to being a four-year contributor for the Vols. He made six starts at right tackle and also played left tackle and center. He’s a Tennessee graduate and is a four-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member.
Davis this season split reps at right tackle with John Campbell, who also posted his own goodbye on social media this week while declaring for the NFL Draft after a seven-year college career.
Davis also started two games at left tackle early in the season while redshirt freshman Lance Heard was dealign with an ankle injury.
Davis delivered goods and money for Hurricane Relief in East Tennessee in October
Davis played 35 snaps at right tackle in the win at Vanderbilt on November 30, with Tennessee running for a season-high 281 yards in the win. His 50th career appearance came in the Senior Day win over UTEP, playing 32 snaps at right tackle.
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Davis played 31 snaps at right tackle at Georgia and 56 against Mississippi State. He was on the field for 30 snaps against Alabama and
He started three games at right tackle in 2023, played both tackle spots as a junior in 2022 and made three starts at right tackle in 2021.
Davis gave back to his East Tennessee community in October in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. He collected supplies and orchestrated a GoFundMe fundraiser to help flood victims.
“Obviously a lot came through my region back home,” Davis said at the time.. “I was able to go yesterday back to Nava, Tennessee, just above Mountain City, which is probably a good two and a half, two (hours) and 45 minutes. It’s a good little drive.
“But we took about $4,000, $4,500 worth of groceries and other items that was needed to Elizabethton Parks and Rec.”
The GoFundMe had a goal of $10,000 and ended up raising $11,506.
“Just trying to use my platform to help those people back home,” Davis said. “If there’s people out there that’s able to donate, there’s people that really need it.”
