Big personality, big plays. How Charlotte’s Mallard Creek shaped Eagles’ Jordan Davis

Most know Jordan Davis as the towering 6-foot-6, 336-pound defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles, prepping to chase down Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl 59 on Sunday.

But beyond his imposing presence on the field, Davis brings a larger-than-life personality that extends beyond football — from his travel style to spontaneous locker room performances, he leads his team in his own unique way.

Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson notes Davis’ impressive singing voice, while other teammates call him a music connoisseur. Davis’s vibrant persona isn’t just for show; it deeply influences and inspires his teammates both on and off the field.

The Charlotte native started making headlines at Mallard Creek High School in 2014. At Mallard Creek, Davis quickly stood out due to his sheer size and athleticism. As a multi-year starter, he notched several awards at the local and state level.

Most of all though, Davis credits Mallard Creek with the foundation of his game.

“If there is one thing that they did was establish a foundation in football, family and faith,” Davis said. “I wouldn’t be here without them. The love that Mallard Creek had they essentially just pushed a kid into this position. I’m grateful for them, every single one of them, no matter where they are.”

Two years before Davis made his high school debut at Mallard Creek, Chiefs lineman DJ Humphries completed his own football career at the same school. Like Davis, Humphries attributes Mallard Creek for shaping his work ethic and his mindset.

“Being able to be in all different types of rooms and thrive all that comes from those different lessons they implemented in me earlier,” Humphries said. “They just taught me how to work, no matter what and they engrained a lot of those principles in me.”

After finishing at Mallard Creek, Davis went on to play college football at Georgia. With the Bulldogs, Davis added a national championship to his resume in 2021.

In the NFL, Davis is known for his big personality and optimistic outlook, but Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean, who played alongside him at UGA, saw these same traits in Davis long before he became a star in the league.

Dean remembers the energy Davis brought to the field and the way he always lifted the spirits of those around him with his positive attitude, regardless of the situation.

Beyond his stat line, Dean has witnessed firsthand how effective Davis is on the field, particularly with his ability to anchor down in the gaps. Davis’s size and strength make him a force in stopping the run and disrupting opposing offenses.

“Having a guy like Jordan Davis be on the defensive line in the front is a linebacker’s dream,” Dean said.

Now in his third season with Philadelphia, Davis has taken his game even further, according to head coach Nick Sirianni.

“This guy is infectious around the team and what he brings,” Sirianni said. “He just brings so much to the team. As far as his personality, his play out there, he’s massive. It’s hard to move him. He had a big sack in the last game we played and he just continues to get better and he’s been very important to this defense.”

As a veteran, Johnson has seen what great leadership looks like. While Davis may not be the one talking in the huddle, his quiet dedication off the field has inspired Johnson and his teammates to be better himself.

Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith also admires Davis’s leadership, describing him as someone who leads with his heart.

“JD is one of the guys that leads with his heart,” Smith said. “He just leaves it all out there on the field, especially as a big man. It’s just hard not to follow behind him.”

As Davis gears up for his second Super Bowl appearance, he remains focused on enjoying every moment of the journey.

“This could be a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’m very fortunate to be here twice, and you just got to enjoy the moment,” Davis said. “At the end of the day, this is the last game of the season, the end all be all. This is the last game that we have to play and who knows what our team will look like next year, it could be very different. But at the end of the day, we have to take advantage of the moment that we have right now.”

Maya Waid is a student with UNC Media Hub, a program with the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media, reporting from the Super Bowl in New Orleans.

This story was originally published February 6, 2025 at 9:41 AM.