Auburn vs. Texas A&M
Auburn defensive back Carlton Davis (18) intercepts a pass intended for Texas A&M wide receiver Damion Ratley (4) during the first half Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)
(JULIE BENNETT)
As a true freshman cornerback, Carlton Davis has been and will continue to be the target of many the opposition.
The results have varied for Davis, who leads Auburn with three interceptions including two in the end zone, while also being on the losing end of battles with some of the best wide receivers in the SEC.
Davis' latest interception was quite literally a takeaway, as he wrestled the ball away from Texas A&M's Damion Ratley in the end zone during the first quarter of last week's win at No. 19 Texas A&M.
"It's just football instincts I guess," Davis said. "I had good position on the play. I didn't think the quarterback would really throw the ball. But when I saw him throw it I just knew I had to make a play. It was no other way but for me to make a play."
The first of three interceptions by Auburn on the night prevented a would-be 37-yard touchdown and preserved a 7-3 Auburn lead.
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Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp has been complimentary of Davis, who has 31 tackles and four pass breakups while making five starts in nine games, all season.
"There's nothing really surprising us anymore," Muschamp said. "He's a very good football player. He does a nice job."
Davis has also matched up with Laquon Treadwell, De'Runnya Wilson and Drew Morgan, all of whom have scored critical touchdowns against him.
"They always try to pick on Carlton because he's a freshman cornerback and he holds his own and he works very hard," linebacker Justin Garrett said. "After the Arkansas game (when Morgan beat Davis on the game-winning 25-yard touchdown in the fourth overtime), he felt he was down. He's a warrior and I'm glad I have him out there on the football field with us."
Davis' 23 solo tackles are an indication of the willingness of opponents to regularly challenge him, but his interceptions have also come at crucial times to preserve the lead against San Jose State and on the road at Kentucky and Texas A&M.
"He's got a chance to be a really, really good corner and I think he's close to that right now," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said.
Defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson recruited Davis, a Miami native, to Auburn and believes his potential is nearly limitless.
"He's a very mature kid," Robinson said during a postgame radio interview. "He's been coached right in high school. He came here, he listens, he works at it away from the building. He's talking about football, he's thinking about football, he's texting me about football. He's a guy who is going to continue to get better.
"He can be one of the better ones who ever came from here and I'm excited to have the opportunity to coach him. We're going to continue to coach him really hard and continue to develop him."