Wendell Davis (cornerback)


Wendell Davis is former American football cornerback in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. He served as the head coach of the San Angelo Bandits and the Texas Revolution of the Champions Indoor Football. He played college football at the University of Oklahoma.

Early years

Davis attended Wichita North High School, where he was a two-time All-City linebacker, while also playing fullback on offense. He was a three-year starter and led the team in tackles in his last two years.
He was also selected All-City in track and field as a senior, after placing second in the 4 × 100 metres relay, third in the 4 × 400 metres relay and third in the 400 metres.

College career

Davis moved on to Coffeyville Community College, where he was converted into a cornerback and became a two-year starter. As a sophomore, he posted 49 tackles, 5 interceptions and 17 passes defensed. He was named All-Jayhawk Conference and honorable-mention NJCAA All-American. He was ranked by Super Prep Magazine as the third-best junior college player in the nation.
Davis transferred to the University of Oklahoma, where he was redshirted in his first year. He played nickel back under head coach Gary Gibbs. As a junior, he made 44 tackles, one interception, 2 passes defensed and one fumble recovery. He had 5 tackles and one pass defensed against the University of Colorado in his only start of the year.
As a senior, he registered 25 tackles and 5 passes defensed. He had 6 tackles against the University of Nebraska in his only start of the year.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys (first stint)

Davis was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the 1996 NFL Draft. As a rookie after spending time in the practice squad, he was promoted to the active roster on September 6 and became one of Cowboys core special teams players, registering 12 tackles. The next year, he registered 7 special teams tackles and also backed up both corners.
On January 17, 1997, he underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee. On August 1, he underwent arthroscopic surgery after spraining his left knee during a workout. He returned to practice August 17 and finished the year with four tackles on defense and seven on special teams.
He suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the 1998 training camp and was lost for the season.

Washington Redskins

Davis signed with the Washington Redskins as a free agent in 1999 and was waived before the start of the season.

Dallas Cowboys (second stint)

On November 16, 1999, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent. He wasn't re-signed after the season.

Calgary Stampeders

Davis signed with the Calgary Stampeders, but was waived before the start of the 2000 season.

San Francisco Demons)

He was selected in the seventeenth round of the 2001 XFL Draft and joined the San Francisco Demons for its lone season in 2001. He recorded 21 tackles and 1 interception.

San Jose SaberCats (first stint)

Davis signed with the San Jose SaberCats on February 28, 2002 to play as a defensive specialist. He helped the team win ArenaBowl XVI and ArenaBowl XVIII.

Grand Rapids Rampage

He signed with the Grand Rapids Rampage on January 3, 2005. He was cut on February 8.

San Jose SaberCats (second stint)

On March first, 2005, he signed with the San Jose SaberCats.

Arizona Rattlers

He signed with the Arizona Rattlers in 2006, but was placed on the injured reserve list during the season. He retired in 2007.

Coaching career

Davis was a football assistant coach at Wichita North High School and at Maize High School. He was also an assistant coach for the Wichita Wild of the Indoor Football League and the San Antonio Talons of the Arena Football League.
In August 2014, he was named the head coach and director of football operations of the Texas Revolution of the Champions Indoor Football. On March 30, 2015, Davis agreed to part ways with the Revolution after coaching just four regular season games. On April 14, 2015, the San Angelo Bandits hired Davis as their head coach. In 2016, he was hired as the defensive backs coach for the LA KISS of the Arena Football League.