S Jayden Davis ready to make a mark for Fresno State football this season
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Jayden Davis started 10 games in 2024 and aims to lead Fresno State's secondary.
- Davis credits mental preparation and resilience as keys to improving performance.
- With key players graduated, Davis steps into a leadership role under Coach Entz.
Former Bullard High standout Jayden Davis got plenty of playing time for Fresno State last season.
He is hoping to build off that this season for first-year coach Matt Entz as he helps lead the defensive back group that lost a lot of players due to graduation.
Davis played behind safety Deon Clark, but still appeared in 13 games in 2024 and earned 10 starts.
He said he prepared a lot, knowing that he will be counted on to make plays.
“The biggest difference is definitely being mentally strong,” he said. “This game is really a mental game and at the end of the day, just forgetting about the next play going on. I feel like that was my biggest struggle last year, but definitely just understanding that and lifting myself up and having a great head space.”
The 6-foot-1 Davis takes his craft seriously and wants to lead by example for his teammates and understands it’s a whole different group. While Davis said he struggled, he could look at it as a learning experience.
He also had one fumble recovery and one pass breakup and had his first career interception against Northern Illinois in the Famous Idaho Bowl. Bulldogs defensive coordinator Nick Benedetto, who joined Entz from NIU, certainly knows what Davis brings.
Davis is encouraged by what he sees from the group.
“Everybody has that dog in them,” he said. “Whether they are a 1 or all the way to 2, 3, 4, everybody has that same mentality in the back end. We love each other and we know we got each other’s back. Honestly, they’re all just tough, locked down and emphasize great mental space, too.”
This story was originally published August 3, 2025 at 4:17 PM.
