Khalil Davis, the former Nebraska defensive lineman, has officially decided to retire from the NFL, marking the second recent exit of a Husker defensive lineman after the legendary Ndamukong Suh. The announcement came through Davis's agent, Deiric Jackson, via ESPN's Jeremy Fowler on July 21, 2025, just days before the NFL's preseason training camps were set to open.
Davis, 28, was originally drafted in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His NFL journey was a whirlwind, featuring stops with multiple teams including the Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans, and San Francisco 49ers. Despite the constant movement, Davis managed to carve out a respectable career over five seasons.
Starting with the Buccaneers, Davis appeared in two regular-season games during his rookie year. Notably, he was part of the Buccaneers squad that captured the Super Bowl title, a high point early in his professional career. However, the Buccaneers waived him in 2021, which began a period of transition as Davis moved through various teams and even spent time in the United States Football League (USFL) playing for the Birmingham Stallions. There, he recorded 15 tackles and one sack, performances that helped him earn another shot in the NFL.
In 2023, Davis signed with the Houston Texans, where he found a more consistent role on the defensive line. Over parts of two seasons with Houston, he played in 24 games and recorded a career-best 32 tackles in 2023. His contributions included two sacks and two passes defensed, showcasing his versatility and impact on the field. In 2024, he was traded late in the season to the San Francisco 49ers, where he added 10 tackles and remained with the team through the offseason.
Throughout his NFL tenure, Davis accumulated a total of 46 tackles, 10 of which were for loss, alongside three sacks and one forced fumble. These numbers reflect a solid if not spectacular career, especially considering the challenges of finding stability across several teams.
Before his professional career, Davis was a standout at the University of Nebraska, playing from 2016 to 2019. During his collegiate career, he amassed 105 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, and 13 sacks. His senior season was particularly impressive, as he notched a career-high 45 tackles, leading all Nebraska defensive linemen, and topped the team with eight sacks and 12 tackles for loss. These performances earned him Defensive Lineman of the Year honors in both 2018 and 2019 and an honorable mention All-American for discus throwing in 2019, highlighting his athletic versatility.
Davis's retirement adds to a recent trend of former Nebraska defensive linemen stepping away from the NFL, following in the footsteps of Ndamukong Suh, who also announced his retirement earlier this July. Both players have left their mark on Nebraska football and the professional ranks, symbolizing the end of an era for the Cornhuskers' defensive line presence in the NFL.
The timing of Davis's retirement announcement, just before the start of the NFL's preseason, suggests a thoughtful decision to step away before the grind of another season. His agent's confirmation on social media gave fans and teams alike clarity about his future plans, closing the chapter on a career defined by perseverance and adaptability.
As the NFL prepares for another season filled with fresh talent and veteran leadership, Davis's journey serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of professional football careers. His path—from a sixth-round draft pick to a Super Bowl champion, then a journeyman across multiple teams, and finally to a consistent contributor with the Texans—reflects the resilience required to compete at the highest level.
While fans may have hoped to see more from Davis in his prime years, his decision to retire at 28 allows him to transition to the next phase of his life on his own terms. The Nebraska football community undoubtedly appreciates his contributions both on and off the field and will watch with interest to see what comes next for the former Husker standout.
For now, Khalil Davis's NFL story concludes alongside that of Ndamukong Suh, closing a significant chapter for Nebraska's defensive linemen in the league. Their legacies will continue to inspire future Cornhuskers aiming to make their mark in professional football.
