EAGAN, Minn. – The Vikings have added linebacker Todd Davis to the roster, the team announced Thursday.
Davis bolsters Minnesota's linebackers group after Anthony Barr was added to Injured Reserve with a torn pec.
Originally signed by the Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2014, Davis was waived by New Orleans in October of that season and claimed by the Broncos, whom he played for through 2019.
In February 2016, Davis recorded seven tackles and a tackle for loss en route to Denver's Super Bowl 50 victory.
Davis started all 14 games he played for the Broncos last season. He recorded 134 tackles (league stats), six tackles for loss and a pass defensed. He was released on Sept. 4.
Here are five things to know about the new Vikings linebacker:
1. Sacramento State standout
Davis played 45 games over four seasons (2010-13) for Sacramento State.
He finished his career with the Hornets ranked second in program history with 351 tackles (157 solo). He also recorded three interceptions, 9.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, six passes defensed and a blocked kick.
As a senior in 2013, Davis racked up 131 tackles and had 5.0 sacks, earning First-Team All-Big Sky Conference honors.
This spring, Davis received a surprise phone call that he would be inducted into the Sacramento State Football Hall of Fame.
2. California kid
Davis grew up in Palmdale, California, and attended Paraclete High School (Lancaster), where he was named First-Team All-State (Small Schools) as a senior after recording 119 tackles and three sacks.
Davis was twice named the Antelope Valley Press Defensive MVP.
After helping the Broncos win Super Bowl 50, Davis returned to his alma mater in March 2016 and was presented a Key to the City by Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris.
Davis is one of six Vikings linebackers who hail from California. He joins Barr (San Pedro), Eric Kendricks (Fresno), rookie Troy Dye (Norco), Hardy Nickerson (Oakland) and Cam Smith (Granite Bay). Smith is on the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list as he recovers from heart surgery.
3. Community-oriented
Davis focuses on giving back to the community.
He and his wife, Zina, began the A+ Living foundation to "empower underserved youth in academics, athletics and social skills." The nonprofit impacts young people in Colorado as well as California.
"I feel like there's a lot more you can do than throw a football, and I think it's my job to spread a broader message," Davis told Colorado Homes and Lifestyles last fall. "I love what I do, and I wouldn't change it for the world. But the chances of becoming a professional athlete are so slim. Kids have to prepare for if this doesn't happen, and then if it does, they have to be able to handle that, too."
The Davis family also supports the Rose Andom Center, a facility in Denver that offers support to survivors of domestic violence.
4. My three sons
Davis often shares snapshots of his family life on his social media and speaks proudly of his three children, all sons.
5. Earning nicknames
Davis goes by his nickname "Bam Bam" on Twitter and Instagram, but he earned a different designation in 2016 from fellow Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall.
Marshall started calling Davis "Thunder" to complement his own nickname, "Lightning."
"I think I just like the heat and playing in the run game," Davis told The Denver Post. "I think that's how I got it."
