Jadyn Davis’ Christmas. Michigan QB, former local star, uses NIL to help needy families
Michigan quarterback Jadyn Davis held his first Christmas toy drive at Providence Day School on Sunday morning.
The two-time North Carolina Mr. Football winner traveled home to Charlotte to host the drive, which was funded the Jadyn Davis Foundation, something Davis used his NIL money to start.
The toy drive welcomed underprivileged families to pick up toys as Christmas gifts for elementary school students. The families were also able to enjoy refreshments and take photographs with Davis.
Davis stood in front of the gifts and posed with the children as they lit up with huge smiles on their faces and presents in their hands.
And that’s exactly what Davis wanted.
“I’m just so excited to put a smile on these kids’ and families’ faces and hopefully make sure that this Christmas is one to remember,” Davis said.
Davis says his goal was always to give back to Charlotte because of how much his community has supported him and his dreams of playing football at the highest level.
A few weeks ago, Davis and his family began planning the toy drive with Toys for Tots and reached out to foundation board member and Providence Day School math teacher Brian Li, who taught Davis from eighth grade to high school graduation.
“One of his biggest passions is helping people. Right when he went to Michigan, he knew he wanted to give back,” Li explained. “When they reached out, wanting to set up an event at Providence Day School to do a Toys for Tots kids drive for the holidays, it was a no-brainer. Providence Day was incredibly supportive.”
Toys for Tots organized the event and invited families from all over Charlotte to submit applications to attend. Around 120 students were selected and were in attendance for the toy drive.
Davis opened the doors at Providence Day School around 10 a.m. Sunday morning, and soon thereafter families poured in. Parents stood by as kids walked among tables and picked out gifts and pastries.
Kira Marie McMillian, just relocating to North Carolina from Kansas, was overjoyed that she found the toy drive as she watched her two kids carry several toys.
“Being in Charlotte without much family, the holidays are looking a little different,” she said. “I appreciate all of this.”
Many other parents showed similar emotions.
They were proud that Davis was able to host the toy drive just days before Christmas. Davis doesn’t take this lightly, because this is something he plans to do as long as he’s able to.
“I’m always going to make sure, as long as I’m living and breathing, that I’m going to have a way to make sure that my impact is felt in this community,” he said.
Davis made it clear that helping people is part of his identity because that is how you truly make an impact.
“I’m committed to the game of football, but at the end of the day, you’re more than a football player. You’re a person,” he said. “Some people may remember how many touchdowns you throw and stuff like that, but they’re going to remember how you made them feel. That’s the biggest thing, knowing the bigger picture and using this platform that I have from the game of football to make my impact felt.”
Davis said he will figure out ways to hold more events and continue to make an impact in Charlotte along with the annual toy drive.
Davis couldn’t stay in Charlotte long because he had to catch a flight back to campus to prepare for Michigan’s matchup against Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year’s Eve in Tampa, Florida.
“One of my mentors is Cam Newton, when I played 7-on-7, he always talked about just being a professional and having that switch that you can turn on and off,” Davis said. “When I’m in Charlotte, I’m strictly about family. When I’m in Ann Arbor, it’s strictly business there.”
As Michigan prepares to face Alabama, Davis is rumored to have moved up the depth chart to be the backup quarterback behind Davis Warren since quarterback Jack Tuttle medically retired earlier in the season and Alex Orji entered the transfer portal.
Just looking forward to going down there and having another opportunity to play football,” Davis said. “We have another week to prepare for them and make sure we close a chapter on this team and this season.”
Davis also hopes to prepare for the spring. With Michigan signing Bryce Underwood, the top-ranked quarterback in the class of 2025 — and paying him reportedly more than $10 million in NIL money to flip his commitment from LSU — there has been speculation about Davis’ future in Michigan.
Davis said he doesn’t plan to go anywhere.
“That’s the plan right now,” Davis said. “My dad always told me to be where your feet are. I’ve never been scared to compete or anything like that. I know college football is now a true definition of a business. … I’m going to do what is right for me and my family and keep that between us and God. He’s the one who already had that plan written, we’re just walking in that path. That’s where our head space is right now, but as I’m in Ann Arbor, Michigan, I am a fully committed Michigan Wolverine.”
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