Tacario Davis Anchors the Huskies’ Push for Big 12 Success

From the moment he debuted with the Arizona Wildcats as a true freshman, cornerback Tacario Davis seemed destined for stardom.

At 6'4", Davis possesses the size and length that make him a natural standout. However, what has truly defined him since his freshman campaign has been his exceptional playmaking ability. In 2023, Davis rose above his peers in the Pac-12, earning recognition among the top cornerbacks in college football. Under then-head coach Jedd Fisch, Davis led the conference with 15 pass deflections while holding opposing quarterbacks to a 42% completion rate. His forced incompletion rate of 27.8% ranked him among the top four cornerbacks in the FBS.

This past season proved disappointing for the Wildcats, who struggled to a 4-8 record in their inaugural year in the Big 12. Despite the team’s difficulties, Davis continued to excel, earning Second-Team All-Big 12 honors with six pass deflections and a career-high 44 tackles. Though he had the opportunity to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, Davis ultimately opted to return for his senior season, entering the transfer portal after evaluating his draft grade.

In a move that felt almost inevitable, Davis transferred to Washington, reuniting with Fisch, who had been appointed Huskies head coach in January 2024. His arrival also reunited him with former Wildcats teammate Ephesians Prysock—another imposing 6'4", 195-pound defensive back who mirrors Davis in stature and style of play. With key returners like edge rusher Zach Durfee, the Huskies now have the defensive pieces to become one of the top contenders in the Big 12 this season.

Washington appears far removed from its dominant 2023 campaign, when the team posted a 13-1 record and earned a spot in the National Championship game against Michigan. While replicating that success this year may be a tall order, Davis’s presence in the secondary could prove instrumental in strengthening a defense that allowed 23.8 points per game last season. Beyond Washington’s aspirations, Davis is poised to establish himself as one of the nation’s premier cornerbacks and a potential top prospect in the upcoming NFL Draft.