OXFORD |Growing up in an NBA household, junior Ole Miss offensive tackle Terez Davis played basketball his entire life and is only in his fifth year playing football altogether.
His father, Tyree 'Ricky' Davis, enjoyed a 12-year career in the NBA that included stints in Charlotte, Miami, Cleveland, Boston, Minnesota and the Los Angeles Clippers.
"I got a lot of self-confidence, a lot of pride," Davis said of what he absorbed from his father. "I don't like losing, but I also try to remain humble too. He's taught me how to remain humble. Not to lose, but also to remain humble always."
Now, heading into the 2026 season, Ole Miss will be relying heavily on Davis to protect Trinidad Chambliss' blindside. The 6-foot-4, 310-pound lineman is set to start at left tackle for the Rebels this upcoming season, officially settling what was initially a big offseason question mark for Ole Miss.
Ole Miss offensive tackle Terez Davis lines up to protect Trinidad Chambliss during a spring camp practice (2026). | Ole Miss Athletics
Davis began his football career playing tight end at DeMatha Catholic (Md.) as a junior in high school in 2022. It wasn't until his senior year in 2023 that Davis made the transition along the offensive line.
"I knew I could do it. I've always (known) since I was a kid I had the athletic ability to do it," Davis explained following Wednesday's practice. "It was just transitioning, really learning the technique and stuff like that. Talent can (only) bring so far, it's the other stuff that you gotta do - the film, the technique, listening to your coaches, being around guys that know it. But I knew the vision would come."
Davis says his genetic athleticism and power are his two best attributes as an offensive lineman. On Wednesday, he also explained what has helped him solidify the starting left tackle spot heading into the season.
"I would just say learning the playbook and just getting in the film room. Being behind guys like Diego (Pounds) and Jayden (Williams). Just really listening and just taking mentorship of them and just working every day. My teammates pushing me every day. It's just been a big help in the weightroom and film room, just a little bit of everything."
"Just watching them (and) standing behind them and listening," Davis said of Williams' and Pounds' presence last season. "Just taking their lead has helped me a lot...I would just say the way they came into the building. They get work, stay in the facility late, watch film - everything's just a mentality. Sometimes you're going to be hurt, sometimes you're going to feel like not going out there, but they kind of taught me to just look past that and keep going every single day."
However, the current Rebel initially opted to remain in his home state, playing for the Maryland Terrapins during the 2024 season. As a true freshman, Davis played in 10 games for the Terps and made two starts at left tackle. Ahead of the 2025 season, entering his sophomore campaign, Davis opted to hit the transfer portal in the spring and it took him less than a week to decide his next destination.
Ole Miss Rebels head coach Pete Golding speaks to the press during SEC Football Kickoff Media Day at the Tampa Marriott. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
What made Ole Miss the right fit at a time where the Rebels had two established offensive tackles?
"I just love the people - Coach (John) Garrison, I just love that guy. He's taught me a lot," Davis explained. "The type of person he is with Coach (Chris) James. Those are the two guys that really made me come here and want to play for Ole Miss and just grow and show my talent off."
In his first season with the Rebels in 2025, Davis appeared in just four games and played 58 offensive snaps. After playing so much as a true freshman, it was a 'tough' adjustment for Davis at first.
"It was tough. I came in with high hopes," Davis told reporters. "Just tried to remain humble throughout everything. I got hurt a little bit, but I trust God and knew my time would come. I just put my head down and kept working and just encouraged the guys in front of me. Tried to be the best teammate I could regardless of me, because at the end of the day it's about the team. I was just worried about that."
Following Ole Miss' 13-win season, Davis had options to enter the portal again, but elected to stay loyal to offensive line coach John Garrison and compete for a starting role.
His patience and work ethic paid off throughout the offseason.
"I had a little bit (of interest from other programs), but I wanted to stay here. I was committed here. Like I said Coach Garrison, that's my guy," Davis reiterated. "I've been with him since I came here and I don't like moving around, I like staying in one place. I'm big on loyalty, so I was always going to stay...It was crazy. I didn't really pay much mind to it, I just tried to stay on football. I don't really get into the transfer stuff. Once I'm in something, I'm focused. I was just focused on the guys, helping as much as I can around the building, being there for whoever needs me."
Although Davis will be one-of-two new starting tackles for the Rebels in 2026, there is comfort in knowing there's continuity within the interior up front.
"It's very comfortable. Having guys like Delano, that's my boy. Brycen (Sander) (and) (Patrick) Kutas, those are my boys too. Them knowing a lot can help me a lot," Davis noted. "Stuff I might not know the best, they know because they've been in games. They've been down on the road versus Oklahoma, and in the playoffs, so stuff I might struggle with they know and they could teach me. It just helps me a lot."
Davis is set to make his first career start for Ole Miss, Sept.6, against Louisville in Nashville. There is some previous experience to lean on from his days with Maryland.
"Just going out there, it was my second year of playing offensive line ever. It was just kind of my raw talent, but playing at Oregon and playing at places like that - Penn State (too) - I kind of learned just block out the noise," Davis added. "You've just gotta trust your technique, teammates next to you and you'll be good."
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This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/olemiss as From Basketball to Football, Terez Davis is Ready to Be a Mainstay at Left Tackle .
