Tennessee tight end Ethan Davis shouldn’t have been surprised when he found himself wide open in the end zone and caught his first touchdown pass. After all, Davis will be a matchup problem all season long. His speed and athleticism, combined with improving strength, could soon make him one of the most dangerous tight ends in the SEC – if not the nation.
“It’s a great feeling,” Davis said of the touchdown pass he caught in the first quarter of the Chattanooga game. “You wait for that moment your entire time when you’re playing offense here at Tennessee. Just being able to score that first touchdown in front of 102,000 is a dream come true. It was an amazing feeling.”
It almost certainly won’t be the last time Davis catches a touchdown pass in Neyland Stadium. The four-yard scoring toss was one of two passes Davis caught from Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava. It was crystal clear that the Vols’ offensive braintrust is much more comfortable working the middle of the field in the passing game with Iamaleava at the helm compared to last year.
Whatever the reason, the Vols were never as productive in the middle of the field last season, although the main culprit was likely former Vol quarterback Joe Milton’s lack of accuracy and touch. That can be dangerous. Passes can more easily be tipped or intercepted in the middle of the field than on the perimeter, where Tennessee’s coaches were more comfortable with Milton. However, while the Vols were struggling over the middle in games last year, they were perfecting that craft in practice with Iamaleava and Davis, who both redshirted during their freshman season in 2023. The two were often practicing together on the second-team offense.
“It’s extremely important,” Davis said of having exquisite timing with Iamaleava. “Especially being in the red zone. You only have a very limited amount of time before the defensive line is at the quarterback.
“You have to be moving fast and be decisive with your decisions. He knew where I wanted the ball, and I knew where he was going to throw the ball. It was a good chemistry thing between us two.”
Davis’ play may just be the beginning of a strong group of tight ends, which include Notre Dame transfer Holden Staes and Alabama transfer Miles Kitselman.
“I feel like all three of us can do whatever we need to do, whatever our coaches ask from us,” Davis said. “Whether that is blocking or being out in space, I feel like we are all more than willing to get in the core, bang up and hear those loud noises, but also go outside the core, work in space and make big explosive plays. I feel like the potential with our group this year is through the roof. There is no limit for us.”
No, Davis shouldn’t have been surprised to make an impact early in the season. As for opposing defenders, they may soon be surprised just how quick, fast and athletic Davis is when they face off against the 6-foot-5, 246-pounder this season.
