5/10/2009 - Tales from the SunnySide: Rulon Davis by broncobear in Mile High Report
Despite the amount of time missed, Davis was a leader on the defense. His team gave him the nickname, ‘The Beast', and Davis will have to talk to Brandon Marshall about whether they will share the moniker. Davis also owns the highest recorded vertical leap, at 34.5 inches, of any defensive lineman in the history of Cal. He also, as he says, thinks that he can beat that mark. Don't bet against him.
5/4/2009 - Iraq Veteran, NFL Rookie by Mike Klis in The Denver Post
"The way he speaks, he's very correct, proper," Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said. "He treats everybody with a great deal of respect. He listens, asks good questions. Sits up in his chair, always attentive, those types of things. You can tell he was brought up the right way."
4/21/2009 - Targeted positions by Kevin Acee in San Diego Union-Tribune
Defensive end
Why it's a need: Igor Olshansky left as a free agent, and the Chargers are prepared for Ryon Bingham to take his place. But they don't see that as their best-case scenario nor as a long-term solution.
What they might do: Louisiana State's Tyson Jackson is an intriguing player in the first round for his versatility as well as his ability, but he might be gone by the time the Chargers pick at 16th. There are decent 3-4 ends available on the second day such as Cal's Rulon Davis in the third or fourth round.
4/17/2009 - NFL teams: Beware passing on Rulon Davis by Rob Calonge in Cal Bears Examiner
There was a point that I was very happy to be on the phone with Davis, rather than face to face. That point came when I let him know where I had projected him in my Golden Bears mock draft . In that article, I projected Davis to the Jets in the sixth round, pick number 193.
When I told him about my projection, I got a response I was expecting and one I wasn't. The response I expected was his disgusted, "Uhm Hmm." The response I didn't expect was the one explaining that he has been told by better sources that my projection is completely accurate.
Friday, Davis attended a workout with the 49ers, fully expecting that he will change that sixth-round projection. Other teams, besides the Jets and 49ers, that have expressed interest in Davis are; the Giants, Patriots, Dolphins, Jaguars, Rams, Panthers (who I think he'd be perfect for), and the Chargers. Growing up in San Diego, he's been a Chargers fan ever since he can remember.
4/17/2009 - Scouting the Draft: California's Rulon Davis by Shalise Manza Young in The Providence Journal
Is he a fit for the Patriots?
As a low-round pick, and if he can stay healthy, yes. Scouts like Davis' blend of size and athleticism, but durability was an issue for him throughout his time with the Golden Bears. Transferring to Cal after a year at Mt. San Antonio junior college, Davis played in just 21 of 38 games over the next three seasons due to various foot and leg injuries.
However, when he's on the field, Davis' quickness off the snap can put an offensive lineman on his heels, and he has good lateral quickness and can close quickly to make the tackle. He can split double-teams and gives good effort in pursuit.
4/9/2009 - 2009 NFL Mock Draft, Version 8.0 by Jeff Risdon in RealGM.com
89. New England Patriots: Rulon Davis, DE, California
2/20/2009 - NFP Sleeper Prospects by Wes Bunting in The National Football Post
Davis is a mature kid who has the kind of mindset and mental toughness that scouts love. He plays with good power and base on contact with an ability to provide pressure off the edge. He has a solid-looking frame, and he certainly will intrigue teams during the latter portions of the draft. He has struggled with his injuries, but when given a chance has been very productive. A late-round guy who could find his way because of his demeanor, size and power.
2/17/2009 - Rulon Davis is Tough, Mean, and Not Ready to Give Up NFL Dream by Gerald Nicdao in BleacherReport.com
“Throughout his all-star week, I started fielding questions and calls,” says Cal defensive line coach Tosh Lupoi. “Interest started sparking a lot. One of the consistent (comments) was how well he did in all of his one-on-ones—his one-on-one pass rush and playing the run. I think (his performance) answers it.
"He had his week to perform and he showed his skills against some of the competition up there. He showed that he definitely has the tools to go onto the next level.”
“He fits the role of an NFL defensive lineman very well,” says Lupoi. “He's a bigger guy, with very long limbs. He plays very aggressive.
2/12/2009 - Defensive End Is Just Getting Started by Andrew Kim in the Daily Californian
Davis says that he hasn't spoken to any NFL scouts or coaches about where or if he'll be taken. He's spoken to writers, though, and they've told him that he'll land anywhere between the third and fifth rounds, or possibly even in the second.
2/2/2009 - Six Former Bears to participate at the NFL Scouting Combine later this Month in the Official Athletic Site of the University of California
Davis started seven of the nine games he played last season for the Bears. He registered 5.5 tackles for loss for minus 33 yards, including four sacks. He was given the team's Bob Tessier Award as Cal's most improved defensive lineman. He had a season-best six stops at Maryland, including a sack and a forced fumble. Davis blocked a field goal attempt at Washington State that Follett returned 68 yards for a touchdown, as well.
1/31/2009 - Rulon Davis helps increase stock at Texas vs the Nation All-Star Challenge by Rob Calonge in the Cal Bears Examiner
Davis, playing for the Texas squad, was on the losing end of a 27-24 loss to the Nation squad. Even though he was on the losing side of the game, he had one sack, forced the pocket often, and showed a mean streak that NFL scouts love to see. The former Cal Bear would've had another easy sack, but instead he forced a holding penalty instead.
Davis has a long way to go if he wants to be selected high up in the third round or better, but if nothing else, he began some momentum in that direction. When the combine comes, it will be his athletic ability on display. Every year, players stand out during the combine. Those players are sometimes called workout warriors for their high athletic ability and lack of production on the field. After Saturday's game, Davis will have little worry of carrying that moniker.
1/30/2009 - Cal Football: All-Star game competition not as tough as Rulon Davis by Rob Calonge in the Cal Bears Examiner
The All-Star Challenge has many players like Davis who are slated as second-day NFL Draft prospects. Most likely, with his 34.5" vertical leap and his proclaimed 4.8 40-yard dash speed, he should easily make strides when it comes time to showcase those skills at the NFL Scouting Combine. In order to prevent some scouts from calling him a, "workout warrior," he'll have to show that he can play on the field.
1/26/2009 - Heavy artillery: Cal defensive end served three years in Marines by Bret Bloomquist in the El Paso Times
He's battled injuries throughout his three years there, but he returned from a foot problem this year and started in the Emerald Bowl victory against Miami. He was named the team's most improved defensive lineman.
"The Marines prepared me," Davis said. "Mental toughness, focus, camaraderie, competitiveness, leadership. I learned all that in the Marine Corps."
Rulon Davis Draft Interview by Gregory Cox in TheFootballExpert.com
In just a few minutes speaking to Davis, who I have seen play live several times at Cal, it puzzles me to not see him higher on positional draft charts at this still somewhat early stage of the process. There are questions about his durability due to various injuries taking away games these past two seasons. He is also 25 years old having devoted three years of his life to the Marines including a six month tour of duty in Iraq.
However, the positive side is immeasurable character built from his life experiences and the toughness to have persevered through those nagging injuries. Clearly his football playing potential has not been met giving him the “upside” many scouts look for. Any NFL team taking their shot at drafting Rulon Davis will be getting a determined force ready to make an impact wherever his talents are needed. Considering plenty of NFL defensive linemen play well into their 30's effectively (Michael Strahan was 36 when he hung up the cleats, Jason Taylor had 11 sacks at 33 in 2007) his age is certainly not much of an issue.
Rulon Davis DE California by Shawn Zobel in DraftHeadquarters.com
The NEXT: Reason To Watch The Emerald Bowl by Darren Heitner in ESPN
If you're gonna get a stack of Emerald Nuts in one hand and your drink of choice in the other this Saturday night for the Emerald Bowl between Miami and California , here's where your focus should lie: no disrespect to a young Miami team that could be in a BCS game in a few years, but the star of this San Fran show might be Rulon Davis . The dude's "measurables" are filthy; he's older than a majority of potential NFL draftees because he served in the Marines for over three years. Pound for pound, though, he is one of the best defensive lineman in the country, and should be someone that you watch this Saturday during the Emerald Bowl.
12/23/2008 - Tough to the corps by Jonathan Okanes in the Berryessa Sun
Davis missed four games but is back in his role as starter as the Bears prepare for Saturday's Emerald Bowl against Miami. At 6-foot-5, 280 pounds, Davis possesses the quickness, strength and athleticism that make him a legitimate NFL prospect.
Some around Cal wonder just how good Davis could have been had he stayed healthy during his entire career in Berkeley.
"He's got that prototypical body that the NFL guys like," said Cal offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz, who goes against Davis every day in practice. "When he's healthy, he shows flashes of being a great player. It would be great to see him put it all together."
"My age and my past injuries are always brought up," Davis said. "Yes, I did spend four years in the Marine Corps. I went to Iraq. I chose to serve my country before I started playing football. You can knock me for that, but what should really matter is how well I play. That's what it boils down to."
11/21/2008 - Virginia's Sintim, Indiana's Thigpen generating interest; Top 32 shuffled by Todd McShay in ESPN.com
The term "finishing touches" can mean many different things. If often means a scout wants to take another long, hard look at a player whose production has significantly varied -- either positively or negatively -- during his senior season. While talking to several NFL scouts in recent weeks I've been able to compile a list of prospects whose play has earned them a spot on the "finishing touches" list. The following is a look at five players heading north, and check back next week for the southbound list:
4. Rulon Davis , DE/OLB, California
Davis has been through injury, illness, junior college and a tour of duty with the Marines to Iraq to reach this point. We fell in love with his potential while breaking down his pre-season tape last summer and he continued to flash special qualities early in 2008. Davis was inconsistent, though, and missed four games due to a foot injury, which only added to the list of concerns. However, he returned to the lineup two weeks ago and turned in a season-best performance versus Oregon State, which included a sack, forced fumble and a pass breakup. Considering his combination of size, power and speed, it won't be surprising if Davis shoots up a lot of draft boards between now and April.
