Ethan Davis

With spring football now only days away, Sarah Detwiler sits down with redshirt sophomore tight end and rising Tennessee Football star Ethan Davis. 

The Atlanta native enters his fourth season on Rocky Top in 2026, coming off a stellar close to the 2025 campaign. Despite fighting through injury, Davis made four starts last season and showcased his unique skillset when he logged five catches for 72 yards and a touchdown in a road win at Florida.

Davis breaks down the film from his top performances last season, setting the stage for his 2026 ambitions and a closer look at the tight end room as a whole. He also discusses the addition of new strength coach Derek Owings and how that has impacted the Vols’ offseason work to this point. 

Beyond the football field, Davis discusses his family, his days growing up in Georgia and how his early experiences as a basketball player (AAU teammates with Tennessee Basketball’s Cade Phillips!) led to his current path in football. An excellent primer for both spring football and March Madness — Ethan Davis has it all covered!

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Little Ethan was training the same way I do today. Obviously it wasn't six days a week like the young guy to sit here. But he was still getting shots up on the little nine foot rim and um he had a dream and still got that dream to this day.

SPEAKER_02 0:24

Hey y'all, welcome back to the Everything Orange podcast. As the weather gets warmer, it just feels like football is in the air. And have no fear because while the spring game is not scheduled until April, we've got some football content for you right now to enjoy. He is one of the leaders on the offense and is the leader out of this tight ends room, having been here the past three years to learn and grow under Coach Hype and Coach Abe during his time on Rocky Tom. He leads Orange, and there is no place he'd rather be than over there with Derek Owings and the rest of his crew getting ready to put in some work for this upcoming season. So please welcome to the Everything Orange Podcast with Ethan Davis. Ethan Davis, welcome to the Everything Orange Podcast.

SPEAKER_01 1:13

Thank you for having me. Glad to be here.

SPEAKER_02 1:14

Yes, happy to have you on your kind of first podcast experience. It's gonna be very fun. But I do have to be honest with you, we have a little beef right now. Do you know that?

SPEAKER_01 1:22

Why do we have beef?

SPEAKER_02 1:23

Because you didn't bring your dog. Come on.

SPEAKER_01 1:25

That's on me. That's on me. That's on me. That's on me.

SPEAKER_02 1:27

That's on me. I should have given you a heads up.

SPEAKER_01 1:29

Yeah, yeah, you didn't tell me. So technically it's not my fault.

SPEAKER_02 1:31

You're right.

SPEAKER_01 1:32

It's okay though, you know. We can just cook the beef.

SPEAKER_02 1:34

We can cook the beef. We can move on.

SPEAKER_01 1:36

Cook the beef and move on. I do. Is it a girl or a boy? It's a boy. How old is he? He's three.

SPEAKER_02 1:41

Oh my gosh. So still like kind of in his still in his puppy phase.

SPEAKER_01 1:44

Puppy phase. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 1:45

Is he good at home? He's good.

SPEAKER_01 1:48

He's he's he he's uh he is truly my best friend. I mean, he's you know, after a lost, long game, long car ride home, a long day. I mean, one thing I know is he's gonna be wagging his tail when I get home.

SPEAKER_02 2:00

We wouldn't be proud of you and happy to see you no matter what. Exactly. No matter what happened.

SPEAKER_01 2:04

I have a cat too.

SPEAKER_02 2:05

You do? Yeah. Do they get along?

SPEAKER_01 2:06

Oh, they're best friends.

SPEAKER_02 2:07

Oh, really?

SPEAKER_01 2:08

Brothers and sisters.

SPEAKER_02 2:09

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 2:09

Her name is Biscuit.

SPEAKER_02 2:10

So cute. So Biscuit and Bentley. So are you a cat more than a dog person or dog more than cat? Or are you?

SPEAKER_01 2:16

Um it depends on who's behaving the most. You know what I mean? So some days, you know, Bentley is the secondary. Okay, biscuit's the primary, you know, but it it fluctuates. It fluctuates, but yeah, like uh like the parents say, there's an even amount of love.

SPEAKER_02 2:29

Yes, yeah, you're like, they're both my favorite. 100%. Okay, so I have some fun get to know you questions to start us off that hopefully we'll get through in like 60-ish seconds. Um, but just whatever comes to mind first, just rattle them off, okay? If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be?

SPEAKER_01 2:47

Playing tight end.

SPEAKER_02 2:49

Fair. Your go-to coffee order.

SPEAKER_01 2:52

A vanilla bean mocha, the milkshake one.

SPEAKER_02 2:54

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 2:55

Yeah, the vanilla one.

SPEAKER_02 2:56

Your favorite movie that you can quote every line of?

SPEAKER_01 2:58

The Lorax.

SPEAKER_02 3:00

Oh, heck yeah, that's a good one. What's a hobby of yours that you enjoy outside of football?

SPEAKER_01 3:04

I like to grill. I like to cook. Yeah. Okay, yeah. I'm a culinary minor, so I like to cook a little bit.

SPEAKER_02 3:08

I saw that on your bio, but I was just like, I don't know, if you just either threw it on there or you actually were in teaching.

SPEAKER_01 3:14

I actually, yeah, I actually I cook, I try to cook a lot. Um, yeah, I take classes for it and everything. That's awesome. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 3:21

What's been the coolest thing that you've learned, or maybe like a different kind of meat that you've been able to experiment with? I don't know.

SPEAKER_01 3:28

Yeah, probably like I've so like I didn't like start making like steaks and stuff like that till like I got up here and just actually being able to like make a plate of steak, mashed potatoes, and broccoli, yeah, and not not have it be store-bought, you know what I mean? Right. It's just kind of like stuff like that. Like I can make some, you know, Alfredo, I can make a lot of Cajun stuff, stuff like that. And I usually just get my recipes off Pinterest.

SPEAKER_02 3:51

Hey, that's a great resource. I do too. No, you really can't.

SPEAKER_01 3:55

I I I recommend everybody use Pinterest.

SPEAKER_02 3:57

And maybe follow Ethan on there if he sees like.

SPEAKER_01 4:01

I think it's like a random name. Something like that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Super nonchalant.

SPEAKER_02 4:05

Do you ever like cook for your teammates? Are they ever like, hey, come on, we know that you know what you're doing, and we have no idea what's going on.

SPEAKER_01 4:11

Well, I got a roommate. Oh, okay. Yeah, my roommate's Cole Harrison, he puts that in too. So I just cook for us sometimes. So whenever you're gonna do it. I try to be the best roommate possible.

SPEAKER_02 4:20

Yeah, yeah, but I'm sure you got good points from uh from him. Okay, sorry, I digress. If you could have any celebrity follow you on social media, who would it be? Who are you a big fan of?

SPEAKER_01 4:32

That's a tough question. Druski.

SPEAKER_02 4:34

Okay, okay, that's a good one. What's your guilty pleasure fast food order?

SPEAKER_01 4:40

A McDonald's 10-piece uh chicken nugget meal, but it has to be like right out of the drive-thru. You know what I mean? Like you can't get it, take it home, and then no.

SPEAKER_02 4:47

No, because it's not. It's gotta be fresh. Yes.

SPEAKER_01 4:49

If it's not fresh, then it's not it's not where it needs to be. You know what I mean?

SPEAKER_02 4:54

Absolutely, absolutely. And your sauces.

SPEAKER_01 4:57

Sweet and sour.

SPEAKER_02 4:58

Okay, easy. What makes you happy?

SPEAKER_01 5:00

Seeing other people around me succeed in in trying to make other people happy as well. You know what I mean? Trying to um, you know, be the be the person somebody can talk to if they're having a rough time, or you know, be the one to turn somebody's day around, stuff like that. Just being able to, you know, put a smile on somebody's face is kind of kind of makes me the happiest, I feel like.

SPEAKER_02 5:18

Your dream vacation spot.

SPEAKER_01 5:21

Bora bora.

SPEAKER_02 5:22

Have you been out of the country before?

SPEAKER_01 5:23

I have. Okay. One time. Where was it? Mexico.

SPEAKER_02 5:26

Okay. All right.

SPEAKER_01 5:27

It was a great shirt.

SPEAKER_02 5:28

I bet it was. Yeah, it really was. I mean, tropical.

SPEAKER_01 5:31

You probably wouldn't go back now with all the stuff going on.

SPEAKER_02 5:34

Right. But Bora Bora.

SPEAKER_01 5:37

You can't go wrong with Borabora.

SPEAKER_02 5:38

No. Beaches, white sands, blue water.

SPEAKER_01 5:41

Peaceful.

unknown 5:41

Perfect.

SPEAKER_01 5:42

But it would have to be in one of like the overwater cabanas.

SPEAKER_02 5:44

Yes. Yeah. The ones where like you walk, like and it's a hunt.

SPEAKER_01 5:48

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 5:49

Yes. And you have even like maybe a swing that you can just sit on. Listen to the waves.

SPEAKER_01 5:54

But you know, that's for a time and place in the future. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 5:58

For sure. Your go-to karaoke song.

SPEAKER_01 6:02

Ooh. It's a tough one. New Bruno Mars album just dropped, and I have been listening to it, I'm not gonna lie.

SPEAKER_02 6:07

Okay, what's your favorite one? Is it hard?

SPEAKER_01 6:09

It is, it really is. It really is.

SPEAKER_02 6:12

I haven't listened to it, so I I'm I don't know.

SPEAKER_01 6:14

Why you want to fight? That's a good one. Okay. That's a good one.

SPEAKER_02 6:16

Okay. Early bird or night owl.

SPEAKER_01 6:18

Early bird. Okay. For sure.

SPEAKER_02 6:20

Okay. How early are we talking?

SPEAKER_01 6:21

It's like 6 a.m. every day.

SPEAKER_02 6:23

Consistently.

SPEAKER_01 6:23

Every day. One alarm.

SPEAKER_02 6:25

One alarm. Even on your off days, or do you sleep another day?

SPEAKER_01 6:28

No, no, no, no, no. Okay. Okay. Off days, the alarm is definitely off.

SPEAKER_02 6:31

Okay, okay.

SPEAKER_01 6:32

Yeah, but yeah, I got an app called Alarmy.

SPEAKER_02 6:34

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 6:34

And so it plays like a jingle.

SPEAKER_02 6:35

Oh, okay.

SPEAKER_01 6:36

And you have to like open your phone and cut it off.

SPEAKER_02 6:39

Oh, and you can't just like feel around for it and tap it off.

SPEAKER_01 6:42

No, you gotta, you gotta go on the app.

SPEAKER_02 6:44

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 6:44

And yeah, 6 a.m.

SPEAKER_02 6:46

When it comes around, you're up.

SPEAKER_01 6:47

Got to.

SPEAKER_02 6:48

Talk the day.

SPEAKER_01 6:49

Gotta go get it.

SPEAKER_02 6:50

Alright, last question. Do you have a hot take on anything? And if you don't, maybe like a pet peeve or something that you feel very strongly about.

SPEAKER_01 7:02

I think uh a big pet peeve of mine is probably when somebody is chewing with their mouth open or chewing loudly. Because like you can you can still like chew with your mouth closed and still be like, why am I hearing it? You know what I mean? Like that's that's probably the one thing that like just grinds the gears. I just cannot.

SPEAKER_02 7:26

Yeah, you're like, I'll see you after the meal. Yeah, but right now we got it. Okay, well, that was fun. Getting to know you a little bit more. Absolutely we'll get back to the podcast. First of all, just happy to see you back. You're back on Rocky Top for your fourth year. How are you feeling?

SPEAKER_01 7:41

Yeah, I um I'm feeling really good. Um, really glad to be back on Rocky Top. Obviously, was never planning on leaving. Um, yeah, I'm just really excited to go out there, play for the fans again, you know, when the time comes, and you know, can you give them all for Tennessee?

SPEAKER_02 7:55

You're about to go into your fourth year. I know technically, like Redshirt Junior, upperclassmen. Has time like flown by for you? Or do you feel like just yesterday you got here?

SPEAKER_01 8:07

No, like time, it it's so it's like you you have a lot of time, but it it goes so fast, you know what I mean? So it's kind of like like I don't I wouldn't say it flew by because I feel like I've I've kind of enjoyed like you know the process of being here and really been in the moment, you know, when I was a sophomore, when I was a junior, you know what I mean? And really, really just enjoying the experience that I've I've been blessed with, you know what I mean? Yeah. So just kind of not taking that for granted.

SPEAKER_02 8:35

No, just really being present through every phase of it.

SPEAKER_01 8:38

Right.

SPEAKER_02 8:38

We're in the off season right now. What have you been up to? How's it how's it been treating you? Being able to catch your breath a little bit from the end of the season, everything?

SPEAKER_01 8:47

Right. Well, I wouldn't necessarily say catch my breath. Okay, um, you know, Dio's in there. Yeah. We putn't work in for sure. We couldn't work in for sure. But I mean, it's been really good, really good off season. I mean, me and the guys, like everybody on our team, we're really, really working hard and pushing towards, you know, what we want to do and what we know we can do this upcoming season.

SPEAKER_02 9:06

Good, I know. And and the weather is getting warmer out too.

SPEAKER_01 9:09

I mean beautiful outside. Game changer, like complete mood shift too. 100%.

SPEAKER_02 9:15

I'm a more pleasant person to be around when it's this warm out.

SPEAKER_01 9:17

100%. 100%. Because like, you know, you can ride with the windows down, get the music pub, the new Bruno Mars album. Right, you can play in your car.

SPEAKER_02 9:24

I mean, what more could you want?

SPEAKER_01 9:25

Complain about it.

SPEAKER_02 9:26

Yes, and when the weather warms up too, it's also like, man, spring football is in the air.

SPEAKER_01 9:30

In the air, right there, right around the corner.

SPEAKER_02 9:32

Yes. What does this time of the year feel like for you? Getting ready. I mean, by the time this podcast comes out, y'all will be on spring break, and then next week, spring practices start. Like, how are you feeling about you know this part of the year?

SPEAKER_01 9:43

No, we're we're we're all really, really excited to um to go out there and and and compete on the field and get back in the pads because it's almost like you know, like we're still training hard and we're still competing against each other, you know what I mean? So it's just like you just got a bunch of dogs and you're just holding them back and then just kind of let them loose when it when spring ball comes out, and it'll be really fun to see, you know, the growth from everybody too, you know, because um, like there's a lot of us who who have been here all four years and just kind of seeing what the kind of players that they've become also throughout their time being here and seeing the growth that they've they've put in during this offseason too.

SPEAKER_02 10:16

I know there were a lot of changes personnel-wise for football, most on the defensive side, but you also got a great new addition overall with Derek Owings, you know, and his run that he just came off of winning a national championship. What what were the reactions from you guys knowing that he was gonna come in and and what changes have you already seen being implemented so far?

SPEAKER_01 10:36

Right. Yeah, I mean, we were obviously like super excited to get him, you know, over here to Rocky Top and uh get to work with him because I mean, obviously, you know, it it starts by who you're around the most in the offseason, and that's obviously the strength coach. Like we're around them, you know, for most of our work on the field. And and he's a he's a great role model, he's a great leader, he's a great coach, phenomenal coach. And the supporting staff is is is just as phenomenal as well. And you know, having them on our team is is is a is a real advantage because like you know, you gotta be big and you gotta have like good armor and stuff like that. And so they they help us build our armor, but also help us like with range of motion, with speed and stuff like that. And they're just so detailed about their work and then you know, like this is how many reps we're gonna do. Like you have to do this many reps, you know what I mean? And so it's not there's no like there's no option of like taking a day off because you will get held accountable for it and you're gonna put the work in regardless, you know what I mean?

SPEAKER_02 11:32

Absolutely. Yeah, while I was over on that side of the complex the other day, I noticed he has new leaderboards up on the on the screens for you guys. How does that drive competition for you guys too? Constantly seeing where you're ranking from the guy to your left and to your right throughout the offseason.

SPEAKER_01 11:49

Right. No, yeah, it's um it's definitely a motivator because you um, you know, it's it's a it's that's what we call like good competition, you know what I mean? It's like, okay, like I got I ran 20 miles this day. Like, okay, he ran 20.2. Let me try to get up to 20.2 with him, and then you try to get up to 20.2, and then that guy's at 20.4. And it's just a it's a domino effect, you know. And then it and it all kind of trickles down the line too. You see all of our numbers going up. And where we in a team meeting the other day, and he put up on the board just like the growth from you know, the first week of January to, you know, the end of the seven-week training camp. And I mean, it's night and day. Wow. And so he we just gotta keep building on that, you know, throughout the spring and into the summer, and ultimately, you know, into the season.

SPEAKER_02 12:34

What stood out to you during the past seven weeks during this time with him that you've noticed the biggest growth?

SPEAKER_01 12:40

Yeah, I mean, he's just the same guy every day. You know what I mean? He doesn't, he doesn't he doesn't come in acting different, and he's also not like the work that we do isn't just like nonsense. You know what I mean? Like it's like it's like there's a purpose behind everything. Yes, and and it's and it's it's well explained, it's well detailed, and you know, it's it's almost like you like you know it's gonna be hard, but you know that it's like there's such such so much research behind it that like the work just kind of doesn't matter. It's just like all right, we can either choose to do this or not play. So it's kind of yeah, non-negotiable.

SPEAKER_02 13:14

Right. I know it's only March, and I know that the whole team like isn't even here yet on campus, but what are your initial thoughts on the vibes and the energy around this team right now?

SPEAKER_01 13:23

Right. No, yeah, I love the vibes and energy. Um, yeah, it's uh we're we're we're really growing the brotherhood part, and um, you know, especially like offseason, that's when you're supposed to do all that. Yeah, and I think being on the field will definitely help that too, just because there's so many different faces and so many new guys, and then being able to go out there and put their talents on display, as well as, you know, us the people who've been here to put our talents on display for the coaches and for everybody, just being able to really get in the mix of it with the guys, you know what I mean? Because that's that's really where bonds are made in those tough times.

SPEAKER_02 13:54

So looking back on last season, how are you feeling? How's your body doing? I know it was a little bit of a roller coaster there for a stretch, but where where are we at right now?

SPEAKER_01 14:04

Yeah, I mean, I'm I'm I feel good. Um I feel good. I I I finished the season, you know, in a good way. But definitely know that there's um, you know, another step to be made at another level to always get to and and more growth to put in, regardless of how last year went for me. So I'm just not really um holding on to it that much, you know what I mean? Just kind of like last year was last year. It was a okay year, but there's definitely, you know, another level to it and trying to, you know, get to that level and do the controllables that I can do in order to put myself in the position to reach that next level.

SPEAKER_02 14:37

Yeah. I know it was a weird nerve thing, right?

SPEAKER_01 14:41

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 14:41

But you're cleared though now, right?

SPEAKER_01 14:43

Yeah, so it was like it was a whole thing, yeah, like with my nerve, and then like I couldn't, I couldn't like keep my arm up with no pain though. So like, you know, it was really frustrating. Like absolutely because I wasn't hurting, you know what I mean? And and and you know, our um medical staff was like, like, we know you're not hurting, but like if you go out there and free injure it, like it's just gonna keep on going back, back, back, and then you'll eventually like you'll just lose function of the arm if you keep on damaging it. So it was super important to, you know, rehab it the right way and and not rush it, regardless of how I was feeling. And you know, I mean, there was there was there was some tough days during that time because of just how bad I wanted to be out there with my team. And but you know, we overcame, yeah, pushed past it, rehabbed, got cleared against Kentucky, and you know, was able to help my team towards the end of the season as much as I could.

SPEAKER_02 15:38

How are you able to mentally take care of yourself during that time and also lean on the people around you to support you, whether you were on the field or off the field?

SPEAKER_01 15:47

Right. Well, yeah, because um I got like I got like Miles, he was super helpful with me too, because he's um he's been through some injuries as well. And he was just like, yeah, like we know you want to be out here, like we're gonna go play for you, we're gonna, you know, give it our all for you. We know how bad you want to be out here and how bad you want to practice and stuff like that. And just, you know, having guys like that around me and um being able to support me during that time, you know, just uh kind of stay focused, prepare each week, like uh you you could play, because it was a question like each week, every Thursday. That's right. Like, all right, we're gonna test today, will he hold up? We're gonna test today, will he hold up? And then it gets monotonous, you know, seeing your arm keep falling every single week, every single week, and then you know, once it clicks, it's it's go time after that.

SPEAKER_02 16:28

Yeah, it felt like then you were just on the rise the rest of the season, which was a really great way to end off for you personally. And I want to break down some film together. I want to look over a couple of games with you.

SPEAKER_01 16:38

Okay. Okay, so do you just press play now? You just count down like okay, just let me know when to play. Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 16:45

No, I got you. I'm gonna set it up for you. Okay. Okay, great. Perfect. So, Kentucky, this game, you returned to action after being out for four games due to your injury, but you were able to come in and make a big impact, especially at the end of that first half, which included this 13-yard touchdown grab with just five seconds left in the first half. And walk us through it and what you saw and what you remember about that play.

SPEAKER_01 17:09

We actually had a um we had a play called before it was the same play, so we didn't change the play. Okay. Didn't change the play. Joey came up to me right after we called a timeout and said, I'm throwing you the ball, regardless. Like, did not care what the defense was. So I was like, all right, that shows that he has trust in me. I obviously have trust in Joey. So, you know, we were already on the same page from the jump, and then um I slipped behind the defender, seen it was cover two, and got to the back of the end zone, caught the touchdown, and and that was that was that. I mean, it was it was a good two-minute drive, you know, B stay. He um had a good catch beforehand. Yes, and um, you know, got us in a good position to go out there and finish it off. And um, you know, just thank God and and thank the coaches for trusting me in that position, you know, and and to go out there and make the play uh for the team, you know, and and that being my first game back being able to, you know, make that play for the team really meant a lot for me just to you know contribute, you know what I mean, in in a good way. Because we were only up seven. So it was uh yeah.

SPEAKER_02 18:15

Now, Florida game, you made your second career start and ultimately led the team in receiving yards with five catches for 72 yards that game. And it was this 23-yard touchdown pass that put Tennessee up first on the board that night, which I just already know emotions were amped up going into that game. So to be able to do that must have felt so amazing.

SPEAKER_01 18:34

Yeah, it was it was definitely a surreal moment being able to do that. Um, yeah, I seen them call the call and um seen the defense and knew I was gonna get it because I knew that I just had to sell good enough to get that linebacker to drop inside and and play the run, slip out to the flat, and I knew Mike was gonna go out there and make the right block in order for me to be out there and you know make the play and and make this corner right here miss. So it was kind of, you know, our coaches just you know putting putting putting us in a position to go out there and make a play and showcase our talents. And then, you know, after I made the corner miss, I um looked inside and they weren't as close as I thought they were. So I I stepped on the gas and was able to get up the sideline and and and punch it in. And that one was that one was a big one. That one felt really good being able to, you know, quiet the crowd in at in the swamp too. Yes. It's uh yeah, the rumors aren't aren't fake. It's it does get loud in there, but you're so focused on on zoning in and and and being able to do this and you know, kind of put a dagger early in it, just kind of, you know, was was definitely a great moment, a surreal moment.

SPEAKER_02 19:43

Yeah, and to set the tone for that game, right? Especially with a lot of, I'm sure, chatter that was going around of 20 years is a long time, a long drought down there at the swamp. But you went down there and got a 31 to 11 win over them.

SPEAKER_01 19:56

Right.

SPEAKER_02 19:57

I mean, how great was that?

SPEAKER_01 19:58

No, it was really good. Um, some of their players were talking before the game. It was good quiet everybody.

SPEAKER_02 20:04

Yeah, had to.

SPEAKER_01 20:05

It um definitely saw that before the game too. So that kind of you know gave us some motivation, some fuel. And um we we we we heard about you know the 20 years and all the drought stuff, but we just kind of, you know, we're just we're just here in the building. That's the only voices and opinions that really matter. And um, you know, we knew what kind of team we had. We knew we were more than capable of going on there and winning. And um, you know, to be able to do it for our fans um was was was an amazing opportunity that we're we're proud of. We really are.

SPEAKER_02 20:34

That's great. Okay, I have one more.

SPEAKER_01 20:36

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 20:36

It's a surprise. Okay, it's your first touchdown of your career. Um, this one, we're gonna go down memory lane here, was in 2024 season opener against Chattanooga, where you hauled in a four-yard pass in the first quarter. Right. Um, you can watch it through and then tell me like what you remember about getting in the checkerboards for the first time.

SPEAKER_01 20:57

Yeah, so um, before the game, I was uh with my roommates Khalifa Nate and Trey, and I told him, I said, if I score, I'm gonna hit this dance. So I hit the dance, and um, yeah, the guy I scored on, I actually know him. He's from my region.

SPEAKER_00 21:14

No way, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 21:15

So we know we had a little fight after. But it was um, yeah, that first one was, I mean, I couldn't hear anything. It was it was a game changer. Yeah, it was it's an addicting feeling. It really is. And you know, to be out there as a sophomore to do that was, you know, ultimately like a blessing to me too. Because, you know, I wasn't really I don't ever like kind of expect anything, but you know, being able to contribute to Syoung was was you know, it meant something, you know, to be able to to help the team in a in such a I mean we were an old team too, and to be able to for the coaches to look, you know, at young Ethan and be like, all right, we trust him to go out there, make the right read, win the route, and catch the ball and score ultimately. And you know, that's Why I love you know Tennessee. That's why I love our staff is because they've um they've trusted me multiple times to go out there and make the play and put me in positions to make plays, and you know, that's all I can ever ask for.

SPEAKER_02 22:11

Great. Well, that was fun. I hope you enjoyed that as much as I did. Getting to revisit the good old days. That's crazy. Crazy.

SPEAKER_01 22:19

Uh that's crazy.

SPEAKER_02 22:22

So special though, too. Based on all the games that you were able to play, the minutes you were able to provide, what stands out to you the most about last season?

SPEAKER_01 22:30

Yeah, I think um, like we had a we had a we had a tight brotherhood. That was um one of the things we had. We um, you know, we we we were really close with each other. We were we were a family and um, you know, ultimately you can't really complain with that, you can't really beat that um when you're when your guys are you know tight knit and it's player led.

SPEAKER_00 22:50

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 22:50

So um, you know, had some growing to do, but you know, went through the growing, went through the growth. And um really excited for for this year, really excited for this year and this team.

SPEAKER_02 22:59

Great. Let's talk a little bit about this tight end room this year, right now, because you're him. You mean you're the leader, right? Like you're the most tenured, you're the most experienced, you're the guy that's been here the longest and knows the system.

SPEAKER_00 23:13

Right.

SPEAKER_02 23:13

What's that role like for you this year? Being in a more mentorship, leadership role to a lot of young guys.

SPEAKER_01 23:20

Right. Yeah. Um, you know, I'm blessed to be in um, you know, the position that I'm in right now and to, you know, have the chance to go out there and play and then start. But um, you know, I've really been not necessarily trying to like um, you know, be too, you know, like I'm old, you're young. You know what I mean? Like I'm old, you're young. Yes. This is how it's gonna, you know what I mean? Like everybody is their own person. But like the one thing I feel like I kind of help us with in the tight end room is is when we're working. Like when we work, when we put in work, like we're not, we're not losing a day. Like it's just not and how we carry ourselves, we we carry ourselves well. And um, you know, they're the dogs, they really are dogs, all of them in the room, all of us in the room, I should say, are dogs and um, you know, really, really good group, really good group that that have a lot of a lot of good players in it.

SPEAKER_02 24:08

Well, it's important to you, it sounds like, to lead by example too, of like, if I'm expecting this out of you, like you better believe that I'm gonna be giving you the same effort in return. And you've had a lot of guys um mentor you throughout your journey at Tennessee, and I'm sure they were the same way. I think of like Jacob Warren, um, McCallan Castles, Miles last year. Like, what did how impactful were those guys on your development, being able to see them and um their work ethic and uh how they approached their time here?

SPEAKER_01 24:36

Yeah, I mean, those guys are are are are pros on and off the field than they were when they you know came here. And being able to see them and and be around them and kind of be molded by them as to like my habits in the facility and stuff like that, and being able to kind of grow with them as well, um, definitely meant a lot to to my journey and and to who I am today because I mean those guys are are true leaders, true role models, like people do look up to them. And and being able to have you know guys like that in your corner, like it does, it does mean a lot because you know you are you're a product of who you surround yourself by. And you know, being able to surround myself with guys like that every single day definitely like changed my um point of view of the game for sure.

SPEAKER_02 25:22

Coach Abe, too, he's been here all three years that you've been here as well. How has he been able to help develop you and the relationship that you guys have?

SPEAKER_01 25:32

Right, yeah. Coach Abe, that's my um, that's my guy, man. That's my guy. Um, yeah, didn't didn't talk to him at all like in high school, like getting recruited because you know Coach Golds was here. Yes. And so didn't talk to Coach Abes till like maybe like the first day.

SPEAKER_02 25:50

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 25:51

First day. Hit it off from the jump. I already knew I was gonna like him and already knew that he was gonna hold me to a standard that that I wanted to be. Whether I liked it or not, whether I didn't like him, or you know, we fight, you're gonna, you're gonna get to the standard regardless of how you feel. And and having him push me and and being able to have him coach me, he's so detailed in his work and and in his own craft. It's kind of like like I was just saying, with with the lead by example. Yeah. He wouldn't, if he's not, he's not gonna ask us to do something that he's not already doing. You know what I mean? His habits, his work ethic, you know, his work habits. He's he's he's he's on he's on point every single day, same guy every single day. And he he he brings the juice. And having him as my coach definitely helped me because I feel like he kind of he took the time to to to know me and to understand me and and to know, you know, like who I really am mentally, physically, emotionally, and all that kind of stuff. And to have him care enough to do that, you know, rather than just like uh like he's just another freshman coming in. You know what I mean? Like, because there are some coaches out there. I mean, he really does care. He really does. And I mean, I I wouldn't trade him for the world.

SPEAKER_02 26:59

And what about Coach Hipel too? Because you know, all the student athletes here, and then also when they leave here, always like, Coach Hype is a player's coach, man. Like, what's your relationship like with him and and being able to be here with him the past couple of years?

SPEAKER_01 27:12

Yeah, no, Coach Hype's definitely players coach, um, for sure, hands down. He is a a great leader, great head coach. Um, you know, he he expects the highest out of us, which is what is should be expected. And and that's why I have the utmost respect for him is because he he has no issue calling stuff out if you're not, you know what I mean? Yeah. Like there's been multiple times where he's called me out for like my body language or how I'm moving on the field or something like that. And he knows me, like I take it chin up, and all right, I got you, coach, let's keep it moving. And to have him, you know, as my head coach, I mean, he's he truly sets the example for everybody in the building. And, you know, he's just like Coach Abe, super detailed in his work. I mean, his his offensive mind is unlike any other brain I've ever been around. And to be able to learn from him and to have him coach me, uh he was because he was a tight ends coach. That was his first uh his first uh real job, tight ends coach.

SPEAKER_02 28:07

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 28:08

So, you know, he got a little tight end coach. He knows a thing or two. Yeah, so he gives me a he give me a couple pointers and um, you know, but you know, he's uh yeah, he's a great coach, really good coach, really good guy.

SPEAKER_02 28:19

I know it's only March, and I know like the season is still five months away. But when you start to think about like week by week, we're getting closer and closer, what excites you about a new season, fresh start, and new opportunities?

SPEAKER_01 28:31

Right. Yeah, I mean, kind of like you just said, being able to um, you know, go out there and and experience those new opportunities that we've been given. And, you know, not taken for granted, you know, just kind of take it week by week, day by day, game by game, um, no matter, you know, who we got next week or who we're playing that week, just kind of being in the moment and enjoying every single game that I have left in Nealand.

SPEAKER_02 28:53

I also like this this home slate is pretty insane. It is just from an outside, you know, fan perspective. I'm like, man, in the best way. Like you want those types of high-level competition games to be played and you want them at home.

SPEAKER_00 29:10

Right.

SPEAKER_02 29:10

What excites you about being able to get in Nealand and have such great SEC competition ahead, too?

SPEAKER_01 29:16

No, I'm really excited to um, I'm really excited to to be able to get back in Nealand. Yeah, especially for some of those games that um you know mean a little bit more. Because there ain't no place like Nealand. It's it's hard. You know what I mean? It's it's hard, it's loud, and being able to play in front of our fans is like playing in the backyard. It really is. And um, you know, they make it the best experience in the country for me and um, you know, for my family and all those people. And just being able to, you know, play here in in this stadium, in this, in this state, in this city, yeah. I mean, it's it's a dream come true, really.

SPEAKER_02 29:54

Okay, as we start to wrap things up, I want to chat a little bit about you outside of football because in high school, you weren't just a big football guy, you were a big basketball guy too, right?

SPEAKER_01 30:05

Right, right, right, right, right.

SPEAKER_02 30:06

At what point did things kind of shift for you? So tell us the story. I've heard a little bit about it.

SPEAKER_01 30:13

I don't even like I couldn't tell you when the change happened. Like, I'm at I'm I'm so like after my spring game, like I made a one-hand catch for like uh at a halftime. I was done at halftime. Okay, and I was I was already talking to a college coach like at halftime, and I had just made the catch.

SPEAKER_02 30:32

Like and remind me, what year is this? This is my junior year of high school, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 30:36

So I mean it was pretty quick right off the bat. Wow, and so my coach um put put some film together, put a huddle film together, and he's like really, really plugged in with college coaches, and so he sent it out the next day, got my first offer. Won't say the school because it wasn't Tennessee, but you know it is it was a good school, and um, you know, being able to get that first football offer was was was crazy because I didn't think it was gonna happen like that at all. Okay, at all. And so yeah, being able to get that first one was was surreal. And then so I'm playing basketball still though. Yes. So still playing basketball.

SPEAKER_00 31:14

Uh-huh.

SPEAKER_01 31:15

I'm at Peach Jam playing with TSF.

SPEAKER_00 31:18

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 31:19

So Kate Phillips, we were teammates.

SPEAKER_00 31:22

No way!

SPEAKER_02 31:23

Shut up! Do people know that?

SPEAKER_01 31:25

I don't think people know that. What the heck? We played on the same age.

SPEAKER_02 31:28

That's insane!

SPEAKER_01 31:29

Like, I was playing basketball for real.

SPEAKER_02 31:31

You're like, I was I was good. Come on.

SPEAKER_01 31:35

I try not because I don't like I don't even like to talk about the basketball thing anymore because you know you just gotta leave the dreams in the past. Yes, but I was playing basketball.

SPEAKER_02 31:43

You're playing with I was the best of the best down in Peach Jam.

unknown 31:47

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 31:48

Come on. I'll say it because you won't. Okay, okay.

SPEAKER_01 31:51

But yeah, I mean, I was yeah, I was at Peach Jam, like getting football offers. And I think like um once like people just started putting it out there like like has uh has basketball offers too. Yeah, and then it just kind of started to drift away, like he's a football player, like he has all these because I had I only had like eight basketball offers, okay, and you know, compared to you know, way more for football. So people just kind of assumed that like okay, he's obviously gonna go play football. And you know, that was the smartest decision for me, definitely too, just like in in regards to future success, probably. So I just had to be had be kind of real with myself, you know, always gonna love basketball and always gonna have a place in my heart.

SPEAKER_02 32:35

Yes, of course.

SPEAKER_01 32:36

But you know, football is is is also has a place in my heart, too. So so it wasn't it wasn't um it wasn't a tough decision once you know the football success started picking up, but it was kind of tough leaving basketball behind.

SPEAKER_02 32:50

So of course, yeah, having to like finally put it to rest. Because all through high school it was football and basketball, football and basketball. But then I'm sure your last game was like, man, it's time to hang out the but you got other ones, you know, because you're going with football now.

SPEAKER_01 33:06

Exactly.

SPEAKER_02 33:06

Was it um like you enjoyed football, but basketball was like always what you had thought for yourself until it wasn't anymore?

SPEAKER_01 33:17

Yeah, I mean, because like I didn't play varsity football or like football in general till junior year. Like I played like freshman football. Okay, but it was literally we had one play, it was called Why French Fries.

unknown 33:30

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 33:31

Go run down the field, we're gonna throw it up, go catch it over the freshman corner. I mean, it was the easiest play, like it was the easiest play. And that I mean, that's not you know, it's not real football, obviously. Yeah. So being able to um get on the varsity team junior year, because I didn't play, played, I only focused on basketball, my sophomore year of high school, because I I got started getting basketball offers freshman year, and being able to um play on Collins Hill, which is a really good football team. We had a lot of um, a lot of high-level guys go out to college. And being able to play on that team, surrounding myself with you know other competitions and playing in 7A, Georgia football, which is the best of the best, you know what I mean? So just being able to compete against those guys kind of helped me become the player I am today. And um, you know, I definitely got better every single day. It wasn't always pretty, it wasn't always fun, but you know, we're here now, we're still rocking.

SPEAKER_02 34:26

Taught you a lot either way, a lot of lessons from both sports, you know, that are still applicable today. Um, I do have to say, you compiled 37 offers, including 28 from Power Five programs. And originally you didn't want to go to basketball. Yes, it's yes. But if like Coach Barnes ever was like, hey Ethan, you want to just like throw the ball around like the good old days?

SPEAKER_01 34:50

So freshman, I can tell you this is crazy. So freshman year, I'm walking up the steps to a football team meeting. Okay, and I asked Coach, I say, Coach, can I play basketball?

SPEAKER_02 35:02

No, actually, no.

SPEAKER_01 35:05

No, we're not doing that. You need to let that go right now. Right now.

SPEAKER_02 35:10

All right. We tried. We tried. We asked. That's all you can do sometimes. It's literally all you can do. What's the worst you can be told? No, all right.

SPEAKER_01 35:18

He said no.

SPEAKER_02 35:19

I was like, what am I gonna do? Yeah, of course. But I imagine that you're still over at the arena watching some games when you get the chance, right?

SPEAKER_01 35:26

Yeah, sometimes. Sometimes I try to get over there and watch some games for sure. Like um when Dalton was in. Yes, yeah, I was watching him for sure.

SPEAKER_02 35:33

Yeah, he was what a fun player to watch. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 35:36

40 every night. I mean insane. It was crazy.

SPEAKER_02 35:40

It really was.

SPEAKER_01 35:41

Like I would be, it would be me, me, me and my roommate, because he played basketball too. He played for he played on UIBL too. But yeah, Trey Weary.

SPEAKER_02 35:48

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 35:48

Played for Drive Nation. And yeah, we we knew basketball. So we so we would go to the games.

SPEAKER_02 35:53

You gotta go with someone that like gets saved. Yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure.

SPEAKER_01 35:57

So, but yeah, we we we I've been to um a couple this year. Yeah, so we got a really good team. Yeah, I think they'll do good in tournaments and all that.

SPEAKER_02 36:05

So rooting for a Georgia kid to want to go out of state to Tennessee of all places. Right. What was it about Tennessee that you were like, yeah, no, I'm I'm doing it, and I'm gonna bleed orange.

SPEAKER_01 36:15

Right. Yeah, I mean, it was um, it was it was the staff, really. I mean, it was it was kind of crazy how it happened. Cause uh when I was putting out my top eight, I was at seven, and I was like, man, like I just need to throw another school on there. Tennessee was at a seven.

SPEAKER_02 36:31

All right.

SPEAKER_01 36:32

I was like, hey, all right, and then I think they saw that and kind of they started really getting into it. Yeah, yeah, and so you know, um, them, you know, just showing me that they they really wanted me. Um, you know, it was it was it was uh it was uh it was clear, you know, where where I would be rather successful at and you know, Tennessee, only three and a half hours from Georgia.

SPEAKER_02 36:56

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 36:56

So I can get back if something ever happens, but far enough to where I can, you know, be on my own and kind of grow on my own and and go on my own path of life without having to worry, like having to be like, like having to kind of like have a shoulder to lean on or like a fallback option. You know what I mean? It's just kind of like all right, you're you live in Tennessee now, like you can't just kind of uh stuff goes bad, like go back to mom's house. Like I kind of gotta learn how to live life alone. Yes. Because you kinda won't grow if you don't. Right. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 37:26

Uh mature, yeah, be on your own, be independent, all those things that are important and kind of force you to do that when you do leave home, home state, things like that.

SPEAKER_00 37:36

Exactly.

SPEAKER_02 37:37

Um, I'm kind of just like laughing to myself though about like you throwing Tennessee on there because they could I No like I no, like for real. Like it reminds me of that meme though where they're like, so you're saying there's a chance, and they're like, all right, let's do that.

SPEAKER_01 37:49

Yeah, they took the chance. I mean, because I literally was sitting in my room with my two best friends, and I said, I don't know.

SPEAKER_02 37:57

Why not?

SPEAKER_01 37:58

Who should I throw on here? Yeah, I do Tennessee.

SPEAKER_02 38:01

Yes. And I think it worked out pretty well for you.

SPEAKER_01 38:03

100%.

SPEAKER_02 38:04

Okay, last couple of questions. Um, if you could describe yourself as a kid, who was Ethan Davis figuring life out growing up in Georgia? How would you describe him?

SPEAKER_01 38:15

Yeah, so um I was a wild child for sure. Yeah, yeah, I was a wild child. I um class clown.

SPEAKER_02 38:25

Okay, all that, you know what I mean?

SPEAKER_01 38:27

So I'm gonna be proud about it though. Like, yeah, you're gonna own it. I was not the quiet kid, like, no, I was cracking jokes, getting in trouble, all that.

SPEAKER_02 38:36

All in good fun, though, right?

SPEAKER_01 38:37

100%, 100%. It was nothing, it was never nothing like crazy.

SPEAKER_02 38:40

Of course.

SPEAKER_01 38:41

You know what I mean? I you can pass you can't pass the fun line.

SPEAKER_02 38:44

Yes, of course.

SPEAKER_01 38:45

So I was just flirting with the line a little bit every now and then. But it was um, I had a great childhood, two siblings, brother and sister, and um Are they older than you, Rami? Yeah, they're both older, so you're also the baby, you can get away with some stuff too. Yeah, so like after like I turned like 16, I was just chilling, you know what I mean? Yeah, but yeah, growing up, it was really fun, really fun, really fun household having um having those two with me, and you know, my parents obviously.

SPEAKER_00 39:09

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 39:10

And just being able to um make memories with them as we grow up and you know continue to make memories, you know, to this day.

SPEAKER_02 39:17

Who was the most influential person on your life?

SPEAKER_01 39:20

In my life? I'd probably say my brother. Okay. Yeah, my brother. He um, you know, he kind of, you know, that's uh that's kind of what um like you that's what kind of like the pro a little brother gets, you know what I mean? Is kind of the older brother makes um like you learn from his mistakes and you kind of learn how to, you know, move in the world when you watch your brother. And you know, he was a great role model, great guy. I mean, still doing really good for himself, and um, yeah, I probably wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for my brother.

SPEAKER_02 39:51

Last question What would young Ethan think of the life that you've created for yourself now?

SPEAKER_01 39:57

Yeah, he wouldn't believe it at all because he was a hooper. He was a hooper, yeah. So I was a little kid watching Jaden Springer, you know, YouTube, ball is life highlights, thinking about hooping. So he would be like, nah, football? No, no, no, no, no, no. But he would um, yeah, I kind of you know, it was it was it was sports or nothing for me, truly. It was um, it was, you know, I loved sports, wanted to be in sports, and and wanted to, you know, be successful in sports. And you know, he little Ethan was training the same way I do today, you know, and um obviously it wasn't you know six days a week like DO got us in here, but he was still getting shots up on the little nine foot rim, and um he had a dream and still got that dream to this day.

SPEAKER_02 40:50

Yeah, I think he'd be pretty proud too.

SPEAKER_01 40:52

100%.

SPEAKER_02 40:52

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, thanks so much for the time, Ethan. Of course, of course. I appreciate it. I know, like this is kind of a time that you you guys take for yourself before you guys get into the fall, but um really appreciate it, and I'm sure our fans are really gonna enjoy getting to know you a little bit more.

SPEAKER_01 41:09

I hope so.

SPEAKER_02 41:10

Yeah, and I know it's early, but like good luck the rest of the year. We're excited to see you back in the land in the fall.

SPEAKER_01 41:16

Thank you so much.