BRUCE DAVISTHIRD ROUND SELECTION88th OVERALL
BRUCE DAVIS – LB
HEIGHT – 6-3
WEIGHT – 252
COLLEGE – UCLA
BIRTHDATE – Sept. 2, 1985
BIRTHPLACE –Los Angeles, Calif.
HOW ACQUIRED –D3-'08 (#88)
NFL EXPERIENCE – Rookie
PRO: Drafted by the Steelers in the third round (88th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft out of UCLA…played primarily as a defensive end in college but will make the transition to linebacker in the NFL.
COLLEGE: Davis ranks second in school history with 29 quarterback sacks, topped only by David Ball's 30.5 (2000-03)…his 42.5 stops for losses rank third in school annals behind Ball (43.5) and Carnell Lake (45.5, 1985-88)…his 17.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage in 2006 rank ninth and his 15.5 stops for losses in 2007 rank 10th on the school's season-record list…his 12.5 sacks in 2006 tied Justin Hickman (2006) and Donnie Edwards (1994) for third on UCLA's season-record chart, topped by Dave Ball (16.5 in 2003) and Carnell Lake (13 in 1987). 2007: All-American second-team choice by The NFL Draft Report and Walter Camp…added All-Pac 10 Conference first-team honors…semifinalist for the Bednarik Award and was on the watch lists for the Lott, Nagurski, Lombardi and Hendricks Awards…started all 13 games at right defensive end, ranking tied for ninth in the nation and tied for first in the league with 12 sacks for minus-66 yards…ranked sixth in the Pac-10 with 15.5 stops for losses of 77 yards…recorded 45 tackles (32 solos) and three quarterback pressures…caused two fumbles and recovered another for a 12-yard return…deflected nine passes…helped the Bruins rank 14th in the nation in run defense (109.15 ypg.). 2006: All-American first-team selection by College Football News and Sports Illustrated…All-Pac 10 Conference second-team pick…co-winner of UCLA's N.N. Sugarman Memorial Award for Best Leadership…started all year at right defensive end, tying for the league lead and ranking fourth in the nation with fellow defensive end Justin Hickman, as each recorded 12.5 sacks for minus-75 yards…ranked second in the Pac-10 and 18th nationally with 17.5 stops for losses of 104 yards…recorded 47 tackles (35 solos) with three forced fumbles and three pass deflections…recovered two fumbles, returning one eight yards. 2005: Davis moved to outside linebacker from defensive end during spring drills and played both positions early in the season before moving back to end due to injuries on the team…finished with 28 tackles (17 solos), two sacks for minus 17 yards, six stops for losses of 30 yards and two quarterback pressures in 12 games as a reserve…caused one fumble and broke up four passes. 2004: Davis appeared in all 12 games, starting the team's first two games vs. Oklahoma State and Illinois at right defensive end…finished with 17 tackles (11 solos), 2.5 sacks for minus 12 yards and 3.5 stops for losses of 18 yards…also deflected one pass. 2003: Redshirted as a freshman…majored in history…earned Director's Honor Roll in Spring of 2005.
PERSONAL: Attended Clear Creek (League City, Tex.) High School, playing football for head coach Aubrey Schulz…received a six-star prospect rating from Max Emfinger's recruiting service and earned All-American accolades, in addition to being ranked 19th among the nation's defensive ends, according to Tom Lemming…added Super Prep All-American and All-Southwest/Texas honors, as that recruiting service rated him the 20th-best overall prospect in the state…the Prep Star All-American selection added All-Greater Houston Area and All-League recognition as a senior…that season, recorded 65 tackles (50 solos), 12 quarterback sacks and 17 stops for losses…as a junior, registered 32 tackles, including eight sacks…lettered in track, competing in the long jump…father, Bruce, Sr., was a member of two Super Bowl championship teams, playing offensive tackle with the Oakland Raiders (1979-87) and Houston Oilers (1987-89) after earning varsity letters from 1975-78 with the UCLA Bruins...uncle, Ronnie Davis, played for the Bruins from 1977-79…son of Lorna Hawkins and Bruce Davis, Sr…Full Name: Bruce Edward Davis II.
