Son of Super Bowl champion Vernon Davis follows father’s footsteps with latest college football commitment decision

The Davis family story at Maryland is far from over.

Jianni Davis, a three-star edge rusher and son of former NFL standout Vernon Davis, made his commitment to the Terrapins official on Monday. The 6-foot-1 athlete from Bishop McNamara High School in District Heights, Maryland, kept it simple with his announcement:

“1000% committed to the University of Maryland!!”

For Jianni, this isn’t just about playing college football — it’s about continuing a family tradition.

His dad Vernon was a star for Maryland in the early 2000s, earning All-American honors and a spot as a finalist for the Mackey Award, which recognizes the nation’s top tight end.

That success helped Vernon get drafted sixth overall in 2006. He went on to have a long NFL career with the 49ers, Broncos, and Washington Commanders, including winning a Super Bowl with Denver.

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Now Jianni is ready to make his own impact — but on defense.

He’s rated a three-star recruit in the 2026 class according to 247Sports and ranks among the top edge rushers in Maryland. While he had other options, including Albany and East Carolina, he chose to stay close to home and join the Terps.

Maryland’s Co-Defensive Coordinator, Aazaar Abdul-Rahim, played a big role in landing him.

Unlike his dad, Jianni won’t be catching touchdowns — he’ll be hunting down quarterbacks. But the goal stays the same: to build on the Davis name and help Maryland football rise again.

The legacy is alive — right where it all began. And with Jianni ready to suit up, the future of Maryland football looks brighter than ever.