Asotin native Jesse Davis eyes diamonds as a nine-year NFL player

Feb. 11—San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Jesse Davis could join Jake Scott (Colts, 2006) and Jimmy Farris (Patriots, 2002) as the only Lewiston-Clarkston Valley natives to sport the most prestigious piece of jewelry in professional football — a Super Bowl ring.

The 49ers play the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 56 at 3:30 p.m. today at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, and although Davis won't be active due to being on the practice squad, he will be on the sidelines.

"This whole experience has been great, especially being from Asotin and how my career has progressed," Davis said. "It's just another game in another role, and the circus stuff going around has been crazy, especially being from a small town."

Davis has played for six teams during his nine-year career, with his most notable stop being a five-year stint with the Miami Dolphins, where he made 60 starts.

After signing with the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent and a two-week pit stop with the Jets, Davis inked with Miami on Nov. 22, 2016, as a member of the practice squad.

The former defensive line standout for the Vandals developed his craft as an O-lineman during his time with the Dolphins, especially in the interior.

"I didn't know a lot from an O-lineman perspective when I got there," Davis said. "I didn't know how to play guard, and my O-line coach taught me a lot, and I made a huge leap, made the active roster, and started in Week 10."

After his first start, Davis became a stalwart alongside Miami's offensive line and signed a 3-year, $15 million extension in 2019.

"We were there a long time, and we try to be active in the community," Davis said. "We participate in the Dolphin Cancer Challenge and give back. ... Miami propelled me and set roots for us a little bit, and I have great connections with all of the coaches and strength staff."

One of Davis' favorite moments as a Dolphin came in 2019 against the Tom Brady-led Patriots in the final week of the regular season.

Miami was in the midst of "tanking for Tua," and the Patriots were chasing the AFC's No. 1 seed.

Career backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick led an 80-yard drive that was capped off by a Mike Geiski TD reception with 23 seconds left in regulation to seal the 27-24 victory.

"That was a good one," Davis said. "No one in the AFC East could beat Brady when he was there, but we would at least once a year."

The Dolphins still managed to land quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, and the Patriots fell 20-13 to the Tennessee Titans in the first round of the playoffs.

The Super Bowl that season was also between the Chiefs and 49ers.

The Asotin native was released from the organization on March 24, 2022, and four days later he signed with the Minnesota Vikings.

He never played a snap for the Vikings and was traded five months later to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a conditional seventh-round pick where he made 14 starts.

After his stint with the Steelers, he became a free agent, and it took a while before he landed in San Francisco.

He wouldn't sign with the 49ers until Oct. 31, but the parties did have prior contact; they just couldn't reach an agreement.

"With October coming around, I needed to get a job," Davis said. "I ended up signing on their practice squad and was dressed for the Seattle game, and I've been blessed to go against some of the better tackles and D-ends that the league has to offer. It's gotten me better, and I've been able to provide a look for them that they need."

Davis was linked to San Francisco's offensive line coach, Chris Foerster, who was on the Dolphins staff during his stint in Miami.

It's been an adjustment for Davis to not play every Sunday in Year 9. But he's starting to revel in his new role.

"Every game, the practice squad travels and is on the sidelines," Davis explained. "That's an opportunity to put guys in position in case they were called up and not be shocked and experience the ins and outs. ... I'll be on the sidelines and watch the position guys and go over technique."

Five years ago, Davis would've assumed he'd be at the tail end of his career by now. But as a decade of being a professional nears, he's not too sure if it's time to hang up the cleats just yet.

"When I got to Year 5, all I thought about was getting to Year 10," Davis said. "After Year 5, I thought, 'I'm almost there,' but injuries happen, and you can see the league is getting younger. I want to keep going, and I'll see what happens, and hopefully I'll have some interest out there."

Davis has compiled quite the resume in almost a decade in the NFL, and he credits much of his success to the small town where he got his humble beginnings.

"Everything started back in Asotin," Davis said. "I always try to give credit to people like Jim Holman (Asotin football coach), who's helped out and taken care of us, and my wife is from Asotin. She is a true supporter and a big reason I'm where I'm at today. The whole community in the Lewis-Clark valley since I was growing up in Asotin specifically has cheered us on, and I keep that near and dear to my heart."

Watson also Super Bowl bound

Former Washington State defensive back Jalen Watson will be playing in his second Super Bowl in as many years as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Watson finished the regular season with 33 tackles, two sacks and six pass breakups.

The Augusta, Ga., native earned All-Pac 12 Conference honorable mention honors in 2021 and started all 12 games for the Cougars.

In his final year in Pullman, he finished with 31 tackles, four fumble recoveries and two interceptions.

Pixley may be contacted at tpixley@lmtribune.com, (208) 848-2268 or on Twitter @TreebTalks.