BREAKING: “Review of the Movie”. What Michigan football’s four-star defensive end Titan Davis brings

“The Wolverines’ 2026 class will benefit from the exceptional athleticism, sophisticated technique, and lofty ceiling of 2026 four-star defensive end Titan Davis, a former quarterback who is now a trench technician”.

Feuer, fuoco, fuego… Whatever you say about it, Michigan Wolverines recruiting is booming. The Wolverines have soared into the Top-10 national recruiting classes after a tumultuous week of acquiring key players, and as I write this, they have most likely acquired another elite player.

At the risk of falling behind in our film studies, let’s go down the third-highest ranked player in Michigan’s class, four-star defensive lineman Titan Davis.

Context

Like McHale Blade, Davis is a versatile player who has demonstrated both interior and edge playmaking skills. The fact that he has only played defensive line for two seasons adds to his exceptional versatility.

Prior to transferring to the defensive line as a sophomore, Davis started his high school career as a quarterback. Davis, who weighed about 235 pounds, recorded 34 stops (three for loss) and five sacks in his first season as a pass rusher. He adapted to his new role like a shark in bloody waters, despite his lighter frame.

Following a 30-pound weight gain, Davis was prepared to take the next step ahead of the 2024 season. As a junior, Davis posted 46 tackles (18 tackles for loss) and nine sacks as he helped lead DeSmet to a 6A state championship in Missouri. With another season of experience and another few pounds squeezed under his belt, he is ready to close out his trilogy in the trenches with a bang.

Measurables

Davis stands at 6-foot-4.5 and is rumored to be north of 270 pounds entering his senior season. With his frame, he will effortlessly carry this weight and still have a six-pack. Furthermore, most are speculating these added pounds indicate his future home will be on the interior for the Wolverines.

There are no listed speed measurements, but his coach offered reassurance that Davis is, if anything, not slow. “His size is unbelievable, but he’s also fast, really fast,” said DeSmet head coach John Merritt. “He’s especially fast in short areas with his quickness. He can close in two steps on you faster than anybody else around.”

High School Scouting

TL;DR: Titan Davis is a light-footed, heavy-handed technician who plays with a rare combination of fire and discipline.

Comparison: Calorie-conscious Walter Nolen with an elite crossover

Watching his tape, it is hard to believe Davis has only been playing defensive line for two years. He played fluently as a sophomore and took a leap to look like a lifer as a junior. But perhaps his stint at quarterback is why he is so polished. Davis has seemingly used the time he used to spend watching tape on defenses to hone in on the nuances of his new position and further refine his technique.

From the aforementioned interview with Merritt, he more than substantiated this:

“He has really, really, really, taken to his craft,” Merritt said. “His hands, his feet, leverage and bend – he is technically as good as any defensive lineman you’d see out of high school.”

And this is far from hyperbole. It is exceedingly rare to see a high school defensive lineman with this much technique. Playing out of a two- or three-point stance, Davis rushes with incredible leverage, violent hands and a heady approach.

Off the line, Davis has quick feet and good eyes to cut angles and beat blockers. His lateral agility resembles a point guard splitting a double team, and his first strike is violent, often catching linemen off guard with how much power he generates in a short area. This power allows him to use his patented bull rush to great effect and set up his speed, stutter and swim moves to keep linemen guessing.

However, what’s most impressive about Davis’s game is his ability to play with a fire without losing sight of the mission. Elite prospects on the defensive line usually rely on freak athleticism and are so focused on getting to the quarterback, they often overshoot and take themselves out of the play. Davis, the former quarterback, is always aware of his assignment and finds a way to blend his passion with patience.

After taking a jump from his sophomore to junior season, Michigan is salivating at the leap Davis is expected to take as a senior with more weight and experience under his belt. Some sites have compared him to Rayshaun Benny, and that makes a lot of sense. Similar to Benny, Davis has been consistently adding weight throughout his prep career and will eventually kick inside exclusively.

However, his athletic and polished game reminds me more of former top overall player Walter Nolen, albeit not at the same point in their development. Nolen was 325 pounds while dominating in high school before he slimmed down to the 290s in college. Davis has the athletic profile with lightning quick feet and violent hands of a high school Nolen, but is playing at a leaner weight — for now.

Expectations at Michigan

Davis is a paradox; a player so young in his development in terms of years, but so advanced in terms of technique. Coupled with an ideal frame, elite athleticism and high IQ, it is difficult to cap the potential of what he could become. However, wherever his ceiling lies, fans will get a glimpse sooner rather than later.

If he can get his weight into the 290s, Davis is going to make a push for rotational snaps the moment he arrives in Ann Arbor and will likely be a full-time starter no later than his sophomore season. Paired alongside fellow 2026 recruit, Alister Vallejo, Sherrone Moore could have his next iteration of Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant on the interior.