**OXFORD —** In the NBA, Ricky Davis was known for his self-confidence.
In 12 seasons playing for Charlotte, Miami, Cleveland, Boston, Minnesota and the Los Angeles Clippers, the shooting guard from Iowa averaged 13.5 points per game.
In 2003, when Davis' team, Cleveland, drafted LeBron James, Davis famously told reporters covering the Cavaliers, "I thought LeBron James was just going to be another addition to help me score."
As recently as last spring, Davis said he could score 30 points per game in the NBA — now, at the age of 46.
That confidence was passed down to his son, Terez, even though the younger Davis is far less bombastic.
Ole Miss tackle Terez Davis (55) blocks during a game last season.
"I got a lot of self confidence and a lot of pride," Terez Davis said Wednesday following Ole Miss' first full pads practice of the 2026 season. "I don't like losing but I also remain humble, too. He's also taught me how to remain humble — not to lose but also remain humble always."
Davis, a 6-foot-4, 300-pound third-year player from Hyattsville, Md., is still relatively new to offensive line play. He followed in his dad's basketball footsteps through his sophomore year of high school. As a junior at DeMatha Catholic, Davis played tight end. He moved to offensive tackle as a senior and then played one season at Maryland before transferring to Ole Miss.
Last season, Davis ended up playing sparingly behind tackles Jayden Williams and Diego Pounds. Instead of sulking, Davis was a sponge.
"It was tough," Davis said. "I came in with high hopes, but I just tried to remain humble throughout everything. I got hurt a little bit. I trusted God. I knew my time would come. I just put my head down and kept working and just encouraged the guys in front of me and tried to be the best teammate I can.
"The way (Williams and Pounds) come in the building, the way they get work, the way they stay in the facility late watching film. Everything is just a mentality. Sometimes you're going to be hurt and sometimes you're not going to feel like going out there but they just kind of taught me to get past that and keep going every single day."
A year later, Davis has emerged as a vital part of Ole Miss' offensive line. He's got the left tackle spot locked down, joining center Brycen Sanders and guards Patrick Kutas and Delano Townsend as dependable pieces protecting Trinidad Chambliss.
"I feel like there's some stuff you really can't teach," Davis said. "It's just genetics. That and my power are probably my best two attributes. I'm out there flying around, hitting guys, being physical and dominant."
Of course, there's more to offensive line play than athleticism, something he learned watching his older teammates a year ago.
"It's very important to know where to go and be able to play fast in this offense," Davis said. "That's the main goal."
That athleticism earned some attention in the tampering portal late last season but Davis said he never gave it much real thought.
"I had a little but I wanted to stay here," Davis said. "I was committed to here. (Ole Miss offensive line) Coach (John) Garrison, that's my guy. I've been with him since I came here and I don't like moving around. I like staying in one place. I'm big on loyalty.
"It was crazy. I really didn't pay much mind to it. I tried to stay with football. I didn't get into the transfer stuff much. Once I get into something, I focus on what I'm focused on."
After a relative crash course in offensive line play and a season of waiting his turn, Davis is excited to play a big role on an Ole Miss team team that has realistic, legitimate hopes of another deep College Football Playoff run.
"I knew I could do it," Davis said. "I've always known since I was a kid I had the athletic ability to do it. It was really just focusing in on the technique and stuff like that. Talent can bring you so far."
Ole Miss opens the season Sept. 6 in Nashville versus Louisville. Ricky Davis, it stands to reason, will be in attendance.
"He just tells me to go out and hit somebody," Terez Davis said, smiling. "He likes violence so he wants me to hit somebody. I try to make sure it's controlled violence so I get to the right guy."