35 Under 35 Presents | Everyday Drills for Cornerbacks | Akeem Davis, UNLV
January 28, 2025
Akeem Davis is currently the cornerbacks coach at UNLV, a position he has held for the past two seasons, including a 11-3 2024 season. Prior to his role at UNLV, Davis coached at Austin Peay where he served as co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. Additionally, Davis spent time at Southern Miss in various roles, including defensive graduate assistant, cornerbacks coach, and running backs coach. His coaching journey follows a three-year tenure in the NFL and a collegiate career at Memphis. Davis was a member of the 2025 35 Under 35 class.
Stance and Start
- Normal off-man alignment
- Balanced stance
- Inside foot back
- Feet staggered, heel to toe or heel to instep relationship
- Feet positioned slightly less than shoulder width
- Arms hanging loosely with wrist positioned below knees
- Bend at the ankles, knees, and waist with hips positioned underneath shoulders
- Eyes focused on your key (clearing the 3 step)
- Weight centered on the inside ball of the front foot
- Relaxed and comfortable
- Efficient, NO WASTED MOVEMENT!!
Davis gives his players a “read, ready” command, getting them down into position, clipping the blades of the grass and assuring emphasis on pad level and transitioning in and out of breaks effectively. He makes sure that they can maintain their position with their weight on the inside ball of their feet and tight in their core. He coaches his guys to have a flat back and “z” at their knees, bending at their ankles, knees, and hips.
Second Progression
After working through the first progression, he then adds a receiver, focusing on the same techniques, now adding the intent to burn through the receiver’s hip and finishing on the ball. Put a lot of emphasis that it is all about the football. Continuing to the finish, he also stresses burning your eyes to the receiver’s hip to get on course, getting him in position to catch the ball. Davis coaches his guys through three steps of on-snap footwork, eye discipline, and the finish.
Third Progression – Fundamentals of Off-Man Coverage
The third progression leads into live 1-on-1 practice reps, putting it all together, and emphasizing that repetition is key. He coaches his players to put themselves in position to make a play, through staying low, having nice clean feet, bursting, peddling, planting, and driving. Davis stresses putting a focal point on maintaining leverage, burning your eyes, and intercepting the football.
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If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
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Akeem Davis is currently the cornerbacks coach at UNLV, a position he has held for the past two seasons, including a 11-3 2024 season. Prior to his role at UNLV, Davis coached at Austin Peay where he served as co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. Additionally, Davis spent time at Southern Miss in various roles, including defensive graduate assistant, cornerbacks coach, and running backs coach. His coaching journey follows a three-year tenure in the NFL and a collegiate career at Memphis. Davis was a member of the 2025 35 Under 35 class.
Stance and Start
- Normal off-man alignment
- Balanced stance
- Inside foot back
- Feet staggered, heel to toe or heel to instep relationship
- Feet positioned slightly less than shoulder width
- Arms hanging loosely with wrist positioned below knees
- Bend at the ankles, knees, and waist with hips positioned underneath shoulders
- Eyes focused on your key (clearing the 3 step)
- Weight centered on the inside ball of the front foot
- Relaxed and comfortable
- Efficient, NO WASTED MOVEMENT!!
Davis gives his players a “read, ready” command, getting them down into position, clipping the blades of the grass and assuring emphasis on pad level and transitioning in and out of breaks effectively. He makes sure that they can maintain their position with their weight on the inside ball of their feet and tight in their core. He coaches his guys to have a flat back and “z” at their knees, bending at their ankles, knees, and hips.
Second Progression
After working through the first progression, he then adds a receiver, focusing on the same techniques, now adding the intent to burn through the receiver’s hip and finishing on the ball. Put a lot of emphasis that it is all about the football. Continuing to the finish, he also stresses burning your eyes to the receiver’s hip to get on course, getting him in position to catch the ball. Davis coaches his guys through three steps of on-snap footwork, eye discipline, and the finish.
Third Progression – Fundamentals of Off-Man Coverage
The third progression leads into live 1-on-1 practice reps, putting it all together, and emphasizing that repetition is key. He coaches his players to put themselves in position to make a play, through staying low, having nice clean feet, bursting, peddling, planting, and driving. Davis stresses putting a focal point on maintaining leverage, burning your eyes, and intercepting the football.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
