Davanta Reynolds
Defensive Back
North Carolina Central
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Davanta Reynolds: My height is about 5’8, weight 196.5 and I don’t know my forty time yet.
Alex Khvatov: Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?
Davanta Reynolds: I am still training at Fit4You in Tucker, Georgia.
Alex Khvatov: When is your Pro Day? What can we expect from you on that day?
Davanta Reynolds: I will be doing a pro day on March 12th at Kennesaw State. Then I will have a pro day at North Carolina Central on March 26th. I have instincts, but I lack speed. I have been working on my speed. I expect a good forty time and shuttle. I will do good in the field work. I expect 10-13 reps on the bench press. I expect to compete at a high level.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Davanta Reynolds: I didn’t have too many offers. Hampton was the only school that offered me. My cousin went to the same high school as me. He got an offer from Savannah State. We were short. He was faster than me. We both played corner in high school. In the Championship game, I caught two picks even though one got called back. The day after, I got a call from a coach at North Carolina Central. I have never heard of the school. I am used to winning, and they had a losing record. It was the only offer besides Hampton.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose North Carolina Central?
Davanta Reynolds: Liked all of the coaches. My host was cool. I met the players. I committed right after my visit.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Davanta Reynolds: My IQ. I am a nerd when it comes to this game. I always stay in the film room. You can never watch enough film. I am always dissecting a formation or a play. My ability to come up in run support. I am a sure tackler and have great hands. I pride myself on finishing with the pick. I communicate with the entire defense. I always tell my teammates what the other team is doing. I would tell them the play on 3&5 or 3&3.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Davanta Reynolds: Improve on every aspect of my game. Man technique, becoming a better tackler and shedding blocks better. I have been working on my speed and getting faster during my training.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your overall career.
Davanta Reynolds: First year, I redshirted because I got hurt in camp. We won the MEAC championship. Next year, I was fourth string behind Ryan Smith and three other players. Ryan didn’t want to play safety. He wanted to play corner. He knew that his future would be at corner in the NFL. I was doing well. The coach told me that I would be running with the first team. I became a first string at safety. I was a coverage safety. We won the MEAC Championship again in 2015. During my sophomore year, I didn’t have good year. I picked up a lot of weight because I moved from free safety to strong safety. I felt too big. We won the conference title again and lost in the HBCU championship game to Grambling. In 2017, I had six INT’s. I led the team and the conference in picks. They moved me around. I played corner for one game. It was my best year at safety. Senior year was our first losing season, but we won the last game. More teams shied away from me this year. But I still led the team in tackles. I was more of a run defender. Even the runs were even going away from me.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Davanta Reynolds: Being named All-American. When I got to college, I always wanted to be one. I didn’t play the last game in 2017, but I ended up getting the honor at the end of the season.
Alex Khvatov: What is your biggest accomplishment in college that you are most proud of?
Davanta Reynolds: Becoming a more vocal leader this year. I was a leader before, but I have never been a vocal guy. I have always led by example. This year, I was talking with teammates about football. My actions showed, and I did a good job.
Alex Khvatov: What have you learned the most from your coaching staff?
Davanta Reynolds: Coaches taught me accountability. I was young when I became the starter.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Davanta Reynolds: I like the Steelers.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Davanta Reynolds: I like Malcolm Jenkins, Karl Joseph and Tyrann Mathieu.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a DB?
Davanta Reynolds: Hips and flexibility. Trusting what you are seeing. Good hands also help.
Alex Khvatov: Before the ball is snapped, what are the tendencies that you are looking for from the offense?
Davanta Reynolds: It depends on the team in the MEAC. I also look at the personnel. Most teams run a spread offense in the MEAC teams. I look at different splits. We ran a lot of cover 2 here at the school.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?
Davanta Reynolds: RB Isaiah Toten and DL Arthur Randle.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the toughest player that you have faced on an opposing team?
Davanta Reynolds: WR Corey Davis from Western Michigan. RB Tarik Cohen. I actually got a TFL on him. I got him by the shoe strings. He is so short and quick. He has great balance, and you have to meet him in the box.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Davanta Reynolds: I love everything about it. I like the physicality of the game. It was my calling. I never had a trainer. It was a gift that I had. I had natural ability and IQ for the game. I was scoring TD’s and getting picks when I was young. I like to learn the game every day. There is so much I still don’t know about the game. Football gives you an opportunity to travel all over the country and see a lot of places.
Alex Khvatov: What is your definition of a leader?
Davanta Reynolds: Someone who is not only vocal, but backs up what he says. Someone who is able to take accountability and also perform on the field.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Davanta Reynolds: I listen to music. I love playing basketball, which was my first love originally. I love watching movies.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Davanta Reynolds: I would like to be a sports psychologist. I received a psychology degree in December.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Davanta Reynolds: Overachiever, intelligent, talkative, dependable and accountable.
