University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
10/23/2026 10:59:00 AM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Former Southern Miss linebacker Rod Davis, who lettered for the Golden Eagles from 2000-03, earned selection to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame eight-member Class of 2027 Thursday at a press conference held at the Museum.
The 2027 class also consisted of John Bond (football, Mississippi State), Dave Clark (baseball, Jackson State), Bianca Knight (Track and Field Olympian), Kris Mangum (football, Ole Miss), Seth Smith (baseball/football, Ole Miss), LaToya Thomas (women's basketball, Mississippi State) and Shirley Gibbs Walker (women's basketball, Alcorn State).
A three-time All-American linebacker for the Golden Eagles and the 2002 Conerly Trophy winner, Davis finished his career with 510 tackles that included 57.5 tackles for losses, 17.5 quarterback sacks, six interceptions, nine fumble recoveries and six forced fumbles.
He was named the 2003 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and a first team all-Conference USA selection in 2001, 2002 and 2003 and an all-Freshman C-USA pick in 2000. Selected in the 5th round of the 2004 NFL draft by the Minnesota, Davis played several seasons with the Vikings and the Carolina Panthers in addition to several seasons in the CFL with Edmonton and Montreal.
As a freshman, he had 94 tackles with seven tackles for losses, a quarterback sack and two interceptions while leading the team to the GMAC Mobile Bowl and a victory over TCU. The following year, as a sophomore, he posted 100 tackles with 10 tackles for losses, three sacks and two interceptions.
As a junior in 2002, Davis collected a career high 168 tackles with 23.5 tackles for losses, 10.5 quarterback sacks and a pair of interceptions while leading the team to a berth in the Houston Bowl against Oklahoma State and then followed that with a senior year in which he put together 148 tackles, 17 tackles for losses and three quarterback sacks while leading the team to a Conference USA championship and a berth in the Liberty Bowl against Utah.
His collegiate awards included being named 2003 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and a first team all-Conference USA selection in 2001, 2002 and 2003 as well as a member of the all-Freshman C-USA team in 2000. Davis earned selection in the 5th round of the 2004 NFL draft by the Minnesota and played several seasons with the Vikings and the Carolina Panthers in addition to several seasons in the CFL with Edmonton and Montreal.
"Each of these honorees has elevated Mississippi athletics on a national and even international stage," said Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Executive Director Andrea Patterson. "Their impact extends beyond their wins and records. They represent the perseverance, leadership, and integrity that define Mississippi sports."
The Class of 2027 will be formally enshrined during Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, July 30–31, 2027. The annual event supports the nonprofit organization that operates the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum and celebrates those who have brought fame and honor to the state.
The 2027 class also consisted of John Bond (football, Mississippi State), Dave Clark (baseball, Jackson State), Bianca Knight (Track and Field Olympian), Kris Mangum (football, Ole Miss), Seth Smith (baseball/football, Ole Miss), LaToya Thomas (women's basketball, Mississippi State) and Shirley Gibbs Walker (women's basketball, Alcorn State).
A three-time All-American linebacker for the Golden Eagles and the 2002 Conerly Trophy winner, Davis finished his career with 510 tackles that included 57.5 tackles for losses, 17.5 quarterback sacks, six interceptions, nine fumble recoveries and six forced fumbles.
He was named the 2003 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and a first team all-Conference USA selection in 2001, 2002 and 2003 and an all-Freshman C-USA pick in 2000. Selected in the 5th round of the 2004 NFL draft by the Minnesota, Davis played several seasons with the Vikings and the Carolina Panthers in addition to several seasons in the CFL with Edmonton and Montreal.
As a freshman, he had 94 tackles with seven tackles for losses, a quarterback sack and two interceptions while leading the team to the GMAC Mobile Bowl and a victory over TCU. The following year, as a sophomore, he posted 100 tackles with 10 tackles for losses, three sacks and two interceptions.
As a junior in 2002, Davis collected a career high 168 tackles with 23.5 tackles for losses, 10.5 quarterback sacks and a pair of interceptions while leading the team to a berth in the Houston Bowl against Oklahoma State and then followed that with a senior year in which he put together 148 tackles, 17 tackles for losses and three quarterback sacks while leading the team to a Conference USA championship and a berth in the Liberty Bowl against Utah.
His collegiate awards included being named 2003 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and a first team all-Conference USA selection in 2001, 2002 and 2003 as well as a member of the all-Freshman C-USA team in 2000. Davis earned selection in the 5th round of the 2004 NFL draft by the Minnesota and played several seasons with the Vikings and the Carolina Panthers in addition to several seasons in the CFL with Edmonton and Montreal.
"Each of these honorees has elevated Mississippi athletics on a national and even international stage," said Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Executive Director Andrea Patterson. "Their impact extends beyond their wins and records. They represent the perseverance, leadership, and integrity that define Mississippi sports."
The Class of 2027 will be formally enshrined during Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, July 30–31, 2027. The annual event supports the nonprofit organization that operates the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum and celebrates those who have brought fame and honor to the state.
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