Ashtyn Davis, born on October 10, 1996, in Santa Cruz, California, is an American football safety currently playing for the New York Jets in the NFL. He stands 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 202 pounds.
Early Life and Education
Davis attended Santa Cruz High School, where he played wide receiver. He joined the track team to enhance his speed for football. His performance in the 110 meters hurdles during his senior year caught the attention of college track coaches, leading him to compete in track and field at the University of California, Berkeley. There, he won the Pac-12 110-meter hurdle title and earned second-team All-American honors.
College Career
At Cal, Davis joined the football team as a walk-on after a successful tryout in his freshman year. He became the starting safety alongside Jaylinn Hawkins during his redshirt sophomore year. In his junior year, Davis recorded 56 tackles, five pass breakups, and four interceptions. He also returned kicks, amassing 629 yards and a touchdown, earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors. In his senior year, he had 55 tackles, two interceptions, and was named a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy.
Professional Career
The New York Jets selected Davis in the third round (68th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year, $4.91 million contract with the team. In his rookie season, Davis started five games, recording 36 combined tackles, one pass deflection, and a fumble recovery. He suffered a foot injury mid-season, leading to a stint on injured reserve.
In the 2021 season, Davis started ten games, totaling 62 combined tackles, two interceptions, and half a sack. He also had three pass deflections and was credited with a coverage grade of 66.1 by Pro Football Focus.
The 2022 season saw Davis primarily in a backup role, with limited starts due to injuries and team dynamics. He recorded three combined tackles and one interception.
In 2023, Davis had a more prominent role, starting multiple games and achieving career-high performances. He recorded a career-high 51-yard interception return against the Buffalo Bills and finished the season with 37 combined tackles, eight pass deflections, three interceptions, and three fumble recoveries. Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 74.7 for the season.
As of April 14, 2024, Davis signed a one-year, $2.74 million contract with the Jets, including a signing bonus of $157,500. He entered the 2024 season competing for a starting safety position. Despite a mid-season coaching change, Davis remained a key player, achieving a season-high nine combined tackles in Week 6. He earned his first start in Week 18, recording nine combined tackles, two pass breakups, and two interceptions. He concluded the season with 35 combined tackles, two pass deflections, and two interceptions over 15 games.
Recent Developments
In March 2025, reports indicated that Davis signed with the Miami Dolphins, transitioning within the AFC East. This move aims to bolster the Dolphins’ defense with Davis’s experience and playmaking abilities.