A&M transfer kicker Caden Davis has found a home at Ole Miss
OXFORD, Miss. — When people talk about big pickups from the transfer portal, they are typically referring to offensive or defensive players. Whether it’s a big-bodied receiver or a freakishly-athletic edge rusher, those are players fans expect to hear about; however, we are here to talk about a kicker, specifically Ole Miss kicker Caden Davis.
No doubt Ole Miss fans everywhere are thankful Davis decided to transfer away from A&M and head to Oxford, especially after his performance Saturday against Tulane.
Davis’ kicking in that game resulted in him being honored as the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week. He was ‘Mr. Automatic’ in the 37-20 comeback victory over the Green Wave. He went four-for-four on extra points, added four touchbacks on six kickoffs, and was three-for-three on field goals with a huge 56-yard boot.
The 56-yarder sealed the win for Ole Miss, extending the lead to 10 with just 1:53 left in the game. It is the fourth-longest field goal in school history and the best by a Rebel since 1988. It was also the longest field goal of Davis’ career by 16 yards.
FROM FIFTY SIX TO CLINCH IT
💣 @_cadendavis pic.twitter.com/ouqm3ulzux
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 9, 2023
From College Station to Oxford
Davis arrived at Ole Miss this past January after playing for the Aggies for three seasons. He was behind Randy Bond in College Station, a kicker who had an outstanding year last season, which left Davis having a hard time getting in the game for field goals. (Interestingly, Bond has missed two of his five attempts this season, while Davis is a perfect four-for-four on the year.)
So how did Davis end up in Oxford?
“I wanted to stay in the best conference, the SEC, and I liked Coach Kiffin a lot. The program has a lot of excitement and I always thought Ole Miss was a cool place. I have been comfortable since I got here in Oxford. This is a great place.”
Caden Davis
Saturday against Tulane, he felt pretty comfortable as well — even though he was sort of rushed out onto the field for the game-clinching kick. The 56-yard attempt came as a result of a false start on a fourth and one attempt from the Ole Miss offense.
Davis talked with media Tuesday and talked about the kick.
“After the false start, I didn’t really know what coach was going to decide to do. I hit a couple balls in the net just to be ready just in case. I really wasn’t expecting to be going for a field goal there but when he (Coach Kiffin) called it, I was ready to go. We had to get out there quick because the play clock was going and I was just ready to go hit it. I felt good out there, we had a little bit of wind with us and I was excited to be in that opportunity.”
Caden Davis
There is no doubt that Davis had all the confidence in the world as he had hit a 67-yard kick pregame.
“I told coach that if we got to the 50-yard line going with the wind that way, I would be good.”
Caden Davis
Davis was asked how long it took him to get comfortable with his new town, after leaving College Station.
“I really enjoyed Ole Miss a lot from the second I got here. I just thought the town was so cool and I could just tell how awesome the program is and the culture, complete 180 from where I was.“
Caden Davis on Oxford and Ole Miss
Davis has battled with Caden Costa, also a kicker on Ole Miss’ roster, for the starting gig since arriving on campus. “Since I got here in January, we’ve just been competing back and forth the whole time,” Davis explained. “We both made each other better whether it was in workouts, training, kicking field goals and kickoffs.”
After Caden’s performance Saturday at Tulane, we are reminded why a good kicker is so important — and how it might change Lane Kiffin’s look at the analytics.
“They change every week, (based on) who you play, how you’re doing on offense, how your kicker is,” Kiffin explained of his analytic sheets. “Our range is increased as you saw. That changes every week.”
The Rebels’ range has absolutely increased with Davis’ 56-yarder. We look forward to seeing him hit more big-time field goals in the future.
Hotty Toddy!
Nick Filipich
Nick Filipich was born and raised in Biloxi, MS. He is an Ole Miss alum with a degree in Sports and Recreation Administration. A sports junkie with a great passion for all things Ole Miss, Nick played baseball and football in high school — which is where he discovered his love for sports. He is an avid Braves and Saints fan, and in his free time enjoys spending time with family, friends and his black lab, Dixie.
